Virginia could have a political family dynasty in the making now that Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s wife has sent signals that she would like to run for a northern Virginia House seat.
Just a month after the governor said “I might” run for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, the Washington Post said that Dorothy McAuliffe was eyeing a challenge to two-term Rep. Barbara Comstock.
Democrats see the seat as winnable, but Comstock has embedded into the district and flicked off two former challengers, winning her last election in November, 52.9 percent to 47.1 percent taken by LuAnn Bennett.
McAuliffe might consider a challenge to Comstock as an easy one because the Virginia first family have long lived in McLean, Va., though they lived in Richmond for the governor’s four-year term that ends this year.
Comstock supporters, however, note with a bit of glee that the Republican won the the McLean district in both of her House victories and in her three Virginia House of Delegates wins.
The governor, meanwhile, recently said he’s considering a presidential bid. He could be formidable, having been the leader of a state that now votes Democratic in presidential elections. He is also a champion fundraiser and would have the support of the Clinton clan.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
