Democratic Party of Virginia
Encyclopedia
The Democratic Party of Virginia is based in Richmond
in the Commonwealth of Virginia
. It is affiliated with the national Democratic Party
of the United States
. The organization is governed by a State Party Plan, which guarantees an open and fair candidate selection process. Although the party has members and elected officials throughout the state, it draws its highest number of votes from the Tidewater
area and suburban Washington, D.C.
Historically, the Democratic Party has dominated Virginia politics. Of the 39 governors directly elected by Virginia voters, 34 have been Democrats and five have been Republicans. However, in the 1990s the Republican Party made gains.
The Hon. Brian J. Moran, who had previously served as a Delegate, was elected Party Chairman on December 4, 2010. Leigh Anne Collier is Executive Director.
The Democratic agenda is also reflected in Governor Tim Kaine
's legislative initiatives:
The new law authorizes up to $600 million for transportation in locally imposed taxes and fees in Virginia’s two most congested areas – Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads – while dedicating equally significant funding to statewide projects. The bill requires all new funding dedicated to transportation will be used only for transportation.
New laws better regulate subdivision streets that are accepted into the state maintenance system, and improve accountability in transportation management by creating the Transportation Accountability Commission.
The Governor also negotiated important business tax reforms, preventing imposition of the business, professional, and occupational license (BPOL) tax on motor fuels tax payments and making taxation of machinery and tools used by manufacturers more consistent.
The Governor’s proposed constitutional amendment allowing local property tax relief for homeowners also passed the 2007 General Assembly and will be introduced for its second passage in the 2008 session.
Historically, the Democratic members of the State Legislature have pressed for a repeal or reduction of sales taxes on groceries.
The Governor has also proposed that high-quality pre-school be available for 4-year-olds throughout the state.
The enacted health care package also included an improved emphasis on women and minority health.
watershed.
A sales tax holiday was enacted for Energy Star
approved products.
s as well as directly to the parties, public records show that in 2007, the Virginia Republican Party received $3,376,215 compared with $8,245,806 for the Democrats.
In 2006, a budget deadlock between the Republican-controlled House of Delegates
and the Republican-controlled Senate
resulted in the legislative session extending far beyond its normal term as well as a special session. In general, the Democrats favored a progressive income tax and sought to eliminate the sales tax on groceries.
In 2007, the need to fund $1 billion per year for pressing transportation projects resulted in another impasse between the House of Delegates and Senate
. Rather than approve additional tax increases, the final Republican plan, which was enacted into law, resulted in new abusive driving fees of up to $3,000 which are assessed against Virginia residents in addition to the historic fines assessed on out-of-state drivers convicted of the same driving law violations. The Republican plan also called for issuing general obligation bonds which Democrats claim will reduce funding of non-transportation needs in future years. In general, the Democrats opposed the abusive driving fees. On 2007-08-23, the Republican leaders of the House and Senate responded to public opposition of the new fees by promising to moderate them in the 2008 legislative session.
Leading up to the November 2007 elections
, where all of the House of Delegates and Senate seats were up for reelection, Democrats highlighted the Republicans' inability to lead the legislature. In response, the Republicans focused on illegal immigration
and unveiled a proposal to prohibit illegal immigrants from attending public colleges and requiring sheriffs to check people's immingation status before releasing them from jail. As a result, Democrats in 2007 regained control of the State Senate and narrowed the Republican majority in the House of Delegates to 7 or 8 seats.
In February 2009, the Republicans sought to exploit an internal dispute within the Senate Democratic caucus over the appointment of judges in Norfork to regain control of certain Senate committee chairmanships. The Republicans filed a report to change these chairmanships to Republican hands expecting one Democratic Senator to support them, thereby creating a 20-20 tie and allowing Lieutenant Governor
Bill Bolling
, a Republican to break the tie. However, Republican Party Chair Jeffrey Frederick
reported via Twitter
that Republicans were close to luring a Democrat in the Virginia Senate into entering a power sharing agreement. Because the Democrats were tipped off to the potential defection, they were able to prevent this from taking place.
In a special session of the legislature held on April 8, 2009 to consider extending unemployment insurance benefits in order to implement the federal stimulus package, the Republicans voted along party lines, 53 to 46 in the House of Delegates to defeat the proposal. Two Republican delegates from high unemployment districts voted in favor of Kaine's proposal.
, sent an e-mail to the president of LU's College Democrats
, Brian O'nill Diaz, revoking the university's recognition of the club. "The Democratic Party
platform is contrary to the mission of Liberty University and to Christian
doctrine," Hine's e-mail stated, citing the party's positions on abortion
, same-sex marriage
, hate crimes, "the LGBT
agenda," and "socialism
" as justification for the dissolution. While the club can still meet on campus, it cannot use the university's name or receive reserve university facilities. Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
and Democratic Governor Tim Kaine
and gubernatorial candidates Terry McAuliffe
, Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds
called on the college to rescind the ban. Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert McDonnell stated that he "personally disagrees" with Liberty's decision, but that because it is a private school, its leaders can make their own decisions. When the club formed in 2008, Republicans on campus were generally supportive.
Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr., subsequently stated that The University had not banned Democrats from campus. Nor had the club been banned from meeting. And that neither the University or its officials said that a person cannot be a Christian and a Democrat. The head of the College Democrats
, Brian O'nill Diaz, was quoted as saying he was baffled by the administration's decision, "I want to be able to share the love of Christ, but I guess I can't do that on campus because I'm a Democrat as well."
fought the new spending, instead emphasizing the need to confine spending to "core" programs. By the time the regular session ended on March 8, no agreement had been reached. However, the parties had reached a compromise on March 12, with a final budget expected to be adopted on March 13.
Reportedly, the final budget is set at $77 billion with $296 million to be withdrawn from the state's reserve fund to make up a revenue shortfall in the current year. Democratic leaders from the Senate persuaded House Republicans to drop a prohibition on funding Planned Parenthood of Virginia, which performs abortions, and groups that conduct stem cell research.
As of January 2009, Democrats hold both of Virginia's two seats in the U.S. Senate, 6 of 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, a majority in the State Senate and a minority in the Virginia House of Delegates
. Additionally, a Democrat serves as Virginia's Governor
.
defeated former Delegate Brian Moran and former Democratic National Committee
chairman Terry McAuliffe
in the primary, and became the Democratic candidate for Governor. He was defeated by Republican Robert F. McDonnell the following November.
On March 2, 2010, Democrat Eileen Filler-Corn defeated Republican Kerry D. Bolognese in a special election for the 41st House of Delegates district in Fairfax County to fill Marsden's seat, by 37 votes, out of 11,528 cast. She was sworn in on March 3, 2010 after her opponent dropped his plans to request a recount.
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. It is affiliated with the national Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The organization is governed by a State Party Plan, which guarantees an open and fair candidate selection process. Although the party has members and elected officials throughout the state, it draws its highest number of votes from the Tidewater
Tidewater region of Virginia
The Tidewater region of Virginia is the eastern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia formally known as Hampton Roads. The term tidewater may be correctly applied to all portions of any area, including Virginia, where the water level is affected by the tides...
area and suburban Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Historically, the Democratic Party has dominated Virginia politics. Of the 39 governors directly elected by Virginia voters, 34 have been Democrats and five have been Republicans. However, in the 1990s the Republican Party made gains.
Current elected officials
The Virginia Democratic Party holds a majority in the Virginia Senate, controls both of the state's U.S. Senate seats and holds three of the state's 11 U.S. House seats.U.S. House of Representatives
- Bobby Scott, 3rd DistrictVirginia's 3rd congressional districtVirginia's third congressional district is a United States congressional district in the commonwealth of Virginia. It covers all of the City of Portsmouth, parts of the Cities of Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk and Richmond, all of the counties of Charles City, New Kent, and Surry, and part of the...
- Jim MoranJim MoranJames Patrick "Jim" Moran, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1991. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is located in Northern Virginia and includes the cities of Falls Church and Alexandria, all of Arlington County, and a portion of Fairfax County.Jim Moran was...
, 8th DistrictVirginia's 8th congressional districtVirginia's Eighth Congressional District is a U.S. congressional district in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The residents of the 8th District are currently represented by Democratic Congressman Jim Moran, first elected to the 8th's seat in the U.S... - Gerry ConnollyGerry ConnollyGerald E. 'Gerry' Connolly is a member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia's 11th congressional district. He was first elected in 2008. Connolly is a member of the Democratic Party....
, 11th DistrictVirginia's 11th congressional districtVirginia's Eleventh Congressional District is a U.S. congressional district in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It comprises most of Fairfax County, all of the city of Fairfax, and part of eastern Prince William County...
Current leadership
Legislative initiatives
The 2008 State Party Platform was adopted at the June 14, 2008 State Convention. The key topics covered by the Platform are:- Restoring Economic Security for Virginia's Families
- Protecting Homeowners
- Protecting Workers
- Support for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship
- Improving Trade Policies
- Support for Training and Re-training
- Ensuring Affordable, Quality Health Care for All
- Support for Expanding Help to the Poor and Uninsured
- Protecting Social Security
- Preserving Virginia's World-Class Public Education System
- Fulfilling the Promise of No Child Left Behind
- Support for Job Training and Continuing Education
- Support for Teachers
- Meeting Funding Responsibilities
- Support for a Well-Rounded Curriculum
- Support for Early Childhood Education
- Support Full Funding for Higher Education
- Preserving Virginia's Natural Resources
- Support for Tackling the Threats of Climate Change
- Support for a New Energy Policy
- Support for Access to Safe Drinking Water
- Support for Clean Rivers, Streams, and the Chesapeake Bay
- Support for Preserving Open Space
- Support for Outdoor Activities
- Celebrating Diversity & Community
- Affirmation of Equal Rights for Women, Civil Rights for All
- Faith in Action
- Support for People with Disabilities
- Opposition to Discrimination
- Support for Domestic Partnership Benefits
- Ensuring Fair Elections
- Support for Redistricting Reform
- Support for Ex-Felons' Rights to Vote
- Support for Consecutive Gubernatorial Terms
- Keeping Citizens Safe and Secure
- Support for Our Troops
- Support the Right to Bear Arms
- Support Fighting Terrorism
- Finding Solutions to Transportation Needs
- Encourage Use of Alternative Modes of Transit
- Support Responsible Growth
The Democratic agenda is also reflected in Governor Tim Kaine
Tim Kaine
Timothy Michael "Tim" Kaine is a Virginia politician. Kaine served as the 70th Governor of Virginia from 2006 to 2010, and was the chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2009 to 2011...
's legislative initiatives:
Transportation
Governor Kaine worked with the General Assembly to fund new investments in Virginia’s transportation network, including investments in public transit.The new law authorizes up to $600 million for transportation in locally imposed taxes and fees in Virginia’s two most congested areas – Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads – while dedicating equally significant funding to statewide projects. The bill requires all new funding dedicated to transportation will be used only for transportation.
New laws better regulate subdivision streets that are accepted into the state maintenance system, and improve accountability in transportation management by creating the Transportation Accountability Commission.
Tax relief
The Democrats won a significant tax cut for Virginia’s working families, taking over 140,000 low-income Virginians off of the tax rolls.The Governor also negotiated important business tax reforms, preventing imposition of the business, professional, and occupational license (BPOL) tax on motor fuels tax payments and making taxation of machinery and tools used by manufacturers more consistent.
The Governor’s proposed constitutional amendment allowing local property tax relief for homeowners also passed the 2007 General Assembly and will be introduced for its second passage in the 2008 session.
Historically, the Democratic members of the State Legislature have pressed for a repeal or reduction of sales taxes on groceries.
Education
Through his budget amendments, Governor Kaine secured the state's share of a 3% salary increase for teachers and other public school employees. The Governor also won funding for a Start Strong pilot program to test ways to expand the availability of pre-kindergarten programs, as well as funding to expand the Early Reading Intervention program targeted at first and second grade students.The Governor has also proposed that high-quality pre-school be available for 4-year-olds throughout the state.
Health care
Governor Kaine established a bipartisan Health Reform Commission to address those healthcare issues in Virginia that will require long-term strategies. He also took concrete steps in 2007 to expand access to prenatal healthcare; improve the quality of care for the elderly; and help encourage healthier living through childhood obesity programs and better wellness support for state employees.The enacted health care package also included an improved emphasis on women and minority health.
Public safety
In further support of those Virginians who serve their state and their nation, Governor Kaine secured funding for room/board and textbook assistance for spouses and children of Virginians killed or severely disabled in service; increased pay and retirement benefits for law enforcement and corrections officers; and improved employment protections for National Guard and Reserve members.Environment
In continued support for Virginia's commitment to a clean Chesapeake Bay, Governor Kaine worked with the legislature to authorize $250 million in bonds to help localities upgrade sewage treatment plants throughout the Chesapeake BayChesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
watershed.
A sales tax holiday was enacted for Energy Star
Energy Star
Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products originated in the United States of America. It was first created as a United States government program during the early 1990s, but Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and the European Union have also adopted...
approved products.
Current events
Although it is difficult to measure total fundraising contributions because money is donated to political action committeePolitical action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
s as well as directly to the parties, public records show that in 2007, the Virginia Republican Party received $3,376,215 compared with $8,245,806 for the Democrats.
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
and the Republican-controlled Senate
Senate of Virginia
The Senate of Virginia is the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly. The Senate is composed of 40 Senators representing an equal number of single-member constituent districts. The Senate is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia...
resulted in the legislative session extending far beyond its normal term as well as a special session. In general, the Democrats favored a progressive income tax and sought to eliminate the sales tax on groceries.
In 2007, the need to fund $1 billion per year for pressing transportation projects resulted in another impasse between the House of Delegates and Senate
Senate of Virginia
The Senate of Virginia is the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly. The Senate is composed of 40 Senators representing an equal number of single-member constituent districts. The Senate is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia...
. Rather than approve additional tax increases, the final Republican plan, which was enacted into law, resulted in new abusive driving fees of up to $3,000 which are assessed against Virginia residents in addition to the historic fines assessed on out-of-state drivers convicted of the same driving law violations. The Republican plan also called for issuing general obligation bonds which Democrats claim will reduce funding of non-transportation needs in future years. In general, the Democrats opposed the abusive driving fees. On 2007-08-23, the Republican leaders of the House and Senate responded to public opposition of the new fees by promising to moderate them in the 2008 legislative session.
Virginia state elections, 2007
Virginia's 2007 state elections were held on November 6, 2007. Voters elected all 100 members of the Virginia House of Delegates to two-year terms ending in 2009, and all 40 members of the Virginia Senate to four-year terms ending in 2011. There were also elections for local offices in most counties...
, where all of the House of Delegates and Senate seats were up for reelection, Democrats highlighted the Republicans' inability to lead the legislature. In response, the Republicans focused on illegal immigration
Illegal immigration
Illegal immigration is the migration into a nation in violation of the immigration laws of that jurisdiction. Illegal immigration raises many political, economical and social issues and has become a source of major controversy in developed countries and the more successful developing countries.In...
and unveiled a proposal to prohibit illegal immigrants from attending public colleges and requiring sheriffs to check people's immingation status before releasing them from jail. As a result, Democrats in 2007 regained control of the State Senate and narrowed the Republican majority in the House of Delegates to 7 or 8 seats.
In February 2009, the Republicans sought to exploit an internal dispute within the Senate Democratic caucus over the appointment of judges in Norfork to regain control of certain Senate committee chairmanships. The Republicans filed a report to change these chairmanships to Republican hands expecting one Democratic Senator to support them, thereby creating a 20-20 tie and allowing Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
The Lieutenant Governor is a constitutional officer of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Lieutenant Governor is elected every four years along with the Governor and Attorney General. The office is currently held by Republican William T. Bolling. The governor and lieutenant governor are elected...
Bill Bolling
Bill Bolling
William T. "Bill" Bolling is the current Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. Running as a Republican, he was elected twice to the position by defeating his Democratic opponent in both the 2005 and 2009 general elections. He is the first Lieutenant Governor in the Commonwealth of Virginia to serve two...
, a Republican to break the tie. However, Republican Party Chair Jeffrey Frederick
Jeffrey Frederick
Jeffrey Sutton Frederick was a songwriter, guitarist and performer specializing in good-time Americana music—an idiosyncratic blend of folk, country and rock and roll. He was a largely uncredited predecessor of today's alternative country music genre. Also notorious for his pranks, he was a...
reported via Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
that Republicans were close to luring a Democrat in the Virginia Senate into entering a power sharing agreement. Because the Democrats were tipped off to the potential defection, they were able to prevent this from taking place.
In a special session of the legislature held on April 8, 2009 to consider extending unemployment insurance benefits in order to implement the federal stimulus package, the Republicans voted along party lines, 53 to 46 in the House of Delegates to defeat the proposal. Two Republican delegates from high unemployment districts voted in favor of Kaine's proposal.
Derecognition of College Democrats
On May 15, 2009, vice president of student affairs, Mark HineMark Hine
Mark Hine is an English former professional association football player who played as a midfielder.-External links:* at the Post-War Players Database...
, sent an e-mail to the president of LU's College Democrats
College Democrats
The College Democrats of America is the official youth outreach arm of the Democratic Party. It consists of over 100,000 college and university students from across the United States. The organization has served as a way for college students to connect with the Democratic Party and Democratic...
, Brian O'nill Diaz, revoking the university's recognition of the club. "The Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
platform is contrary to the mission of Liberty University and to Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
doctrine," Hine's e-mail stated, citing the party's positions on abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
, same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
, hate crimes, "the LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
agenda," and "socialism
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
" as justification for the dissolution. While the club can still meet on campus, it cannot use the university's name or receive reserve university facilities. Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
and Democratic Governor Tim Kaine
Tim Kaine
Timothy Michael "Tim" Kaine is a Virginia politician. Kaine served as the 70th Governor of Virginia from 2006 to 2010, and was the chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2009 to 2011...
and gubernatorial candidates Terry McAuliffe
Terry McAuliffe
Terence Richard "Terry" McAuliffe is a longtime leader and political advisor for the United States Democratic Party. He served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2001 to 2005. He served as Co-Chairman of President William Jefferson Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign and also...
, Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds
Creigh Deeds
Robert Creigh Deeds is an American politician who was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Virginia in 2009. He also ran in the 2005 race for Attorney General of Virginia. He was defeated in both of the above races by Bob McDonnell. Deeds lost by just 323 votes in 2005, but was defeated by a...
called on the college to rescind the ban. Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert McDonnell stated that he "personally disagrees" with Liberty's decision, but that because it is a private school, its leaders can make their own decisions. When the club formed in 2008, Republicans on campus were generally supportive.
Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr., subsequently stated that The University had not banned Democrats from campus. Nor had the club been banned from meeting. And that neither the University or its officials said that a person cannot be a Christian and a Democrat. The head of the College Democrats
College Democrats
The College Democrats of America is the official youth outreach arm of the Democratic Party. It consists of over 100,000 college and university students from across the United States. The organization has served as a way for college students to connect with the Democratic Party and Democratic...
, Brian O'nill Diaz, was quoted as saying he was baffled by the administration's decision, "I want to be able to share the love of Christ, but I guess I can't do that on campus because I'm a Democrat as well."
2008 budget battle
For the first time in the Kaine Administration, the Governor's 2008-10 budget faced a legislature with each chamber controlled by a different party. The priority items in the budget were: a Pre-Kindergarten initiative, improvements to child services, an expansion of health care access, investments in higher education, and improvements for mental health. The RepublicansRepublican Party of Virginia
The Republican Party of Virginia is the Virginia chapter of the Republican Party. It is based in the Richard D. Obenshain Center in Richmond in the Commonwealth of Virginia.- Organization and candidate selection :The State Party Plan...
fought the new spending, instead emphasizing the need to confine spending to "core" programs. By the time the regular session ended on March 8, no agreement had been reached. However, the parties had reached a compromise on March 12, with a final budget expected to be adopted on March 13.
Reportedly, the final budget is set at $77 billion with $296 million to be withdrawn from the state's reserve fund to make up a revenue shortfall in the current year. Democratic leaders from the Senate persuaded House Republicans to drop a prohibition on funding Planned Parenthood of Virginia, which performs abortions, and groups that conduct stem cell research.
As of January 2009, Democrats hold both of Virginia's two seats in the U.S. Senate, 6 of 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, a majority in the State Senate and a minority in the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
. Additionally, a Democrat serves as Virginia's Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
.
Governor
On June 9, 2009, Creigh DeedsCreigh Deeds
Robert Creigh Deeds is an American politician who was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Virginia in 2009. He also ran in the 2005 race for Attorney General of Virginia. He was defeated in both of the above races by Bob McDonnell. Deeds lost by just 323 votes in 2005, but was defeated by a...
defeated former Delegate Brian Moran and former Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
chairman Terry McAuliffe
Terry McAuliffe
Terence Richard "Terry" McAuliffe is a longtime leader and political advisor for the United States Democratic Party. He served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2001 to 2005. He served as Co-Chairman of President William Jefferson Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign and also...
in the primary, and became the Democratic candidate for Governor. He was defeated by Republican Robert F. McDonnell the following November.
Democratic Primary
| Candidate | Vote | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| R. Creigh Deeds | 158,854 | 49.76% |
| Terry McAuliffe Terry McAuliffe Terence Richard "Terry" McAuliffe is a longtime leader and political advisor for the United States Democratic Party. He served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2001 to 2005. He served as Co-Chairman of President William Jefferson Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign and also... |
84,387 | 26.43% |
| Brian J. Moran | 75,936 | 23.79% |
General Election
| Candidate | Vote | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| R. Creigh Deeds | 877,533 | 41.27% |
| Robert F. McDonnell | 1,149,091 | 58.73% |
Lieutenant Governor
The following candidates announced for the Democratic Lieutenant Governor nomination:Jody M. Wagner, Jon Bowerbank, Michael Signer and Pat Edmondson. Bowerbank and Edmondson subsequently withdrew. Wagner won the primary:Democratic Primary
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Jody M. Wagner | 212,363 | 74.21% |
| A. Michael Signer | 60,958 | 21.30% |
| Jon I. Bowerbank | 12,824 | 4.48% |
General Election
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Jody M. Wagner | 838,288 | 43.41% |
| William T. Bolling | 1,092,810 | 56.59% |
Attorney General
Del. Stephen C. Shannon is the only announced candidate. State Sen. John S. Edwards is considering the race, although he may be seeking a federal judge appointment instead.Control of House of Delegates
Both parties are focusing on which party will control the House of Delegates — following the Democrats taking back the Senate in 2007. All 100 House seats are elected in 2009 for a two-year term, and the Republicans currently have a majority of 6 seats, and there are 15 Republican districts that President Obama carried in the 2008 election. Two of the most visible are Del. David B. Albo (R) who faces a second challenge from Democrat Greg Werkheiser, and Del. Ward Armstrong. In a special election held to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Brian Moran, Democrat Charniele Herring defeated Repbulcian Joe Murray by 16 votes. However, the Republicans blocked seating Herring at the start of the session pending a recount of the vote.2010 special elections
On January 12, 2010, in a special election for the 37th State Senate district, Democrat Dave W. Marsden beat Republican Steve M. Hunt by a 327 vote margin. In the 8th State Senate district, Republican Jeff L. McWaters beat Democrat William W. "Bill" Fleming by a vote of 78-21%.On March 2, 2010, Democrat Eileen Filler-Corn defeated Republican Kerry D. Bolognese in a special election for the 41st House of Delegates district in Fairfax County to fill Marsden's seat, by 37 votes, out of 11,528 cast. She was sworn in on March 3, 2010 after her opponent dropped his plans to request a recount.
See also
- Virginia elections, 2009Virginia elections, 2009The following offices were up for election in the United States Commonwealth of Virginia in the November 2009 general election:*Three statewide offices – Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General – for four-year terms...
- Virginia elections, 2008Virginia elections, 2008In 2008, Virginia for the first time since 1964, cast its electoral college votes for a Democrat. It also elected a United States Senator, members of the United States House of Representatives, and local officers such as county board and school board members....
- Virginia state elections, 2007Virginia state elections, 2007Virginia's 2007 state elections were held on November 6, 2007. Voters elected all 100 members of the Virginia House of Delegates to two-year terms ending in 2009, and all 40 members of the Virginia Senate to four-year terms ending in 2011. There were also elections for local offices in most counties...
- Virginia United States Senate election, 2006Virginia United States Senate election, 2006The 2006 United States Senate election in Virginia was held on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator George Allen ran for re-election to a second term, but lost to Democrat Jim Webb.-Background:...
- Virginia gubernatorial election, 2005Virginia gubernatorial election, 2005The Virginia gubernatorial election of 2005 was a race for the Governor of Virginia, United States, held on November 8, 2005, and won by Democrat Tim Kaine. Virginia is the only state in the United States to prohibit governors from serving successive terms, so the popular incumbent, Mark R...
- Virginia politics
- Byrd OrganizationByrd OrganizationThe Byrd Organization was a political machine led by former Governor and U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd, Sr. that dominated Virginia politics for much of the middle portion of the 20th century...
- Republican Party of VirginiaRepublican Party of VirginiaThe Republican Party of Virginia is the Virginia chapter of the Republican Party. It is based in the Richard D. Obenshain Center in Richmond in the Commonwealth of Virginia.- Organization and candidate selection :The State Party Plan...