Washington (Washington Insider Magazine) – Democrats in Virginia are preparing for the November election, hoping to turn the race into a referendum on Elon Musk’s influence.
As reported by The Guardian, with a seven-figure investment in Virginia, Democrats are setting the stage for a major electoral push. The party plans to turn the election into a referendum on Musk’s influence over local politics.
How are Democrats targeting Virginia to challenge Trump and Musk’s impact?
Following a tough year since Donald Trump’s election, the party made a strong comeback last year. They secured a decisive victory in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race and achieved impressive results in two Florida congressional races.
Voters in November will select candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and the House of Delegates.
The upcoming election will serve as an essential indicator not only for Trump’s presidency but also for tech billionaire Musk’s unofficial “department of government efficiency,” or Doge. This has affected Virginia due to its proximity to Washington, D.C.
Last month, an NBC poll found that only 27% of registered voters hold positive views of the Democratic Party, marking the lowest approval since 1990.
What did Heather Williams say about Musk’s impact in the upcoming election?
Heather Williams, the president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), which works to strengthen state-level power, stated,
“It is his work and efforts that are going to be litigated in this election. We see the Doge’s efforts take on a local spin, meaning they’re not just talking about the machete that he wielded without any care or concern, but the very real local impact and how it is affecting individuals.”
He said,
“Democrats have been winning elections again. Voters made it clear in 2024 that their issues were around the economy and affordability, and economic opportunity, and they asked their elected officials to pay attention to that.”
Mr William added,
“What we are seeing in these election results is an understanding that Republicans are unfocused and harming communities when they need support and government to work on their behalf. Voters are not standing for it.”
The DLCC president said,
“You’ve got Democrats in the legislature or candidates who are putting forth agendas around the economy and affordability and trying to address the very real, honest issues that Americans are dealing with.”
He observed,
“Government is very present in Virginia, and it has served them historically well. You’ve got hard workers doing good things, protecting our country, and they’re being tossed around as if nothing matters, and that is going to have a big impact.”
How does the DLCC plan to build momentum with a roadmap to victory in Virginia?
The DLCC plans to release a “Roadmap to Victory in Virginia” memo on Monday, which highlights critical target races for November and features a continued seven-figure investment in the House of Delegates, where Democrats hold a slim 51-49 majority.
For the first time, the DLCC is adding the high-stakes lieutenant governor’s race to its target list, seeking to secure tie-breaking votes in the state senate, where Democrats hold a slim one-seat majority.
According to the memo, legislative Democrats in Virginia are on the frontlines, taking action against the chaos stirred by Trump. Meanwhile, Republicans, such as Governor Glenn Youngkin, have shown support for Doge cuts. State Republicans also voted unanimously against a constitutional amendment to protect abortion access and mostly opposed a ban on assault weapons.
Since Virginia limits governors from seeking consecutive terms, Youngkin will not be running in November. Instead, Winsome Earle-Sears, the lieutenant governor, will run as the Republican candidate, while Abigail Spanberger is expected to be the Democratic nominee.
What did Williams say about Republicans’ role in Virginia’s election after last week’s results?
The election results last week posed a warning for Virginia Republicans, a state that Kamala Harris won by six points. Trump’s efforts to slash the federal government, impose chaotic tariffs, and threaten social security are likely to rally Democrats and push away independents and moderate Republicans.
Mr Williams commented,
“Yes, Trump is responsible for this, Elon Musk is responsible for this, but local Republicans are also complicit. They are falling in line with a reckless approach to government and a reckless political party with Donald Trump at the helm. They don’t get off the hook.”
What did Don Scott say about Musk’s influence on Virginia Republicans?
Don Scott, Virginia’s first House speaker, says Musk’s influence will cast a long shadow.
He said,
“I think Republicans are begging him to come to Virginia because they have not gotten the memo from Wisconsin and Florida and Pennsylvania that voters don’t like the policies,”
adding,
“Because they haven’t gotten the memo yet, they continue to embrace him and they will not tell him to go away because he’s out of touch. They’re going to find out, I believe, in November how out of touch they are in Virginia.”
Mr Scott highlighted that while Democrats in Washington face a lack of power, their Virginia counterparts in the House of Delegates passed resolutions in January to protect abortion, voting, and marriage rights.
The speaker stated,
“We’ve got to stop whining. There’s no whining in this state. There’s no need to do any handwringing. You don’t get to have a pity party. If you believe that this is an existential threat, do the work. We have to continue to show folks how we deliver, what values we stand for. Our values are not losing.”
He said,
“That’s why I’m tired of people talking about the message. We don’t need a hero. We don’t need someone to come in with a cape. Get over Michelle Obama and Barack Obama. We need everyday normal Americans to come to the forefront.”
Mr Scott continued,
“Virginians know exactly who Donald Trump is, and we’ll have the opportunity to be the canary in the coal mine for the rest of the country here in November. We’ll be sending a message of hope to the rest of the country that we haven’t been snowed by this guy.”
