Arlington Democrats plan to collaborate on campaign efforts for local and state candidates this fall in an effort to cut down on redundancy and save money.
The strategy is part of the group’s efforts to support U.S. Senate challenger James Webb, U.S. House of Representatives incumbent Jim Moran, Arlington County Board incumbent Chris Zimmerman, and Sally Baird for Arlington County school board. The Democrats are also working to defeat an amendment that would ban same-sex marriage that is on the ballot this November.
“Although each of the campaigns have their own individual campaign literature, they also have pooled together to have joint materials so that it’s cheaper,” said Peter Rousselot, chair of the Arlington Democrats. “You get more communication and less duplication of effort.”
Rousselot said representatives from all the campaigns met with his group Wednesday night to coordinate efforts. He said the group is also working to raise money for Webb, who has raised $9 million less than Republican incumbent George Allen.
Campaigning under one banner is not common in Virginia, according to Rousselot, as Democratic candidates are reluctant to unite their messages. But because Northern Virginia is so heavily Democratic, candidates are less reluctant to join together.
Larry Sabato, executive director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said Democraticcandidates are wise to campaign together this year in order to present a united front against Republicans.
Democrats are “saying, ‘Give us a referendum on [President George W.] Bush, give us a referendum on Iraq, and you the people will give us a referendum by voting Democratic,’” Sabato said.
However, if Webb does not raise more money quickly, his campaign could be doomed. Sabato estimated Webb needs around $6 million to be competitive.
