A Democrat has a good chance of taking the late Republican Del. Harry Parrish’s coveted seat in the Virginia General Assembly.
Parrish, who died in March, was in the middle of his 13th term as delegate. The special election for the 50th District seat, covering Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park, has yet to be set, but Democrats are optimistic.
“We are increasing the size of our counties and cities [in Northern Virginia] and people who are coming are interested in seeing things done differently from the way the Republicans are doing it. I hope we will be seeing blue very shortly,” said C.J. Scott, Manassas Democratic Committee chair.
Two Republican candidates, Jackson Miller and Steve Chapman, and one Democrat, Jeanette Rishell, have officially registered with the Virginia Board of Elections to begin their campaigns.
“However many file, there is a united concern in making sure that Harry’s legacy is preserved and not let this thing go over to the far right wing,” said Vic Bras, head of Prince William County’s Democratic Committee, who added that there are four other Democrats looking to run.
“I think the Democrats have got a good chance of taking that seat and beginning to take more,” said Toni Travis, associate professor of government and politics at George Mason University.
“You look at the pattern of the last three elections combined and almost all of the Democratic pickups have been in Northern Virginia. It has to be considered a potential target, but whether it becomes an actual target depends on the actual two-party nominees,” said Larry Sabato, head of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics.
A new Democrat in the Virginia House of Delegates “might cause distress in the Republican caucus” and add a few seats on committees, “but in terms of control of the House, it won’t matter. There are 57 Republicans,” Sabato said.
“As far as this particular seat, I think it is ours to lose,” said Karen Ulrich, Prince William County Republican Committee vice president. “I’m pretty sure we will take this particular seat.”
