The trench lines of the 2009 governor’s race are likely to run through Northern Virginia’s two largest outer suburbs — Loudoun and Prince William counties — former GOP bastions that have been trending Democrat in recent elections.
The populous counties sit at the gateway between the metropolitan, left-leaning D.C. suburbs and Virginia’s more conservative, rural regions.
Seen as crucial to overall victory, Loudoun and Prince William were subjected to enormous attention and resources in the 2008 presidential election.
This year’s governor’s race could easily prove a repeat, as both campaigns court the combined 400,000 registered voters in the swing counties.
“It’s a lot of people, and Prince William and Loudoun counties are bellwether counties,” said Prince William County Chairman Corey Stewart. “They’re part of Northern Virginia, but their political leanings are a little more conservative and more like the rest of the state.”
The campaign of Bob McDonnell, the Republican nominee, has been quick to note that he was the last statewide Republican to capture both counties when he ran for attorney general four years ago. His opponent then, state Sen. Creigh Deeds, is now the Democratic gubernatorial nominee.
The Deeds campaign is looking for an encore of the counties’ performance last November. Barack Obama won Prince William with 57 percent of the vote to John McCain’s 41, and Loudoun with 53 percent over McCain 45 percent. Deeds also swept the suburban jurisdictions in the three-way primary on June 9, which gives the campaign “great hope,” said spokeswoman Brooke Borkenhagen.
McDonnell kicked off the first weekend of the general election going door to door in Prince William, and rolled out his anti-gang initiative in Loudoun last month. He has also carved out issues meant to appeal to suburban voters, like his support for widening Interstate 66.
“Republicans have to do well here if they’re going to win,” said McDonnell spokeswoman Crystal Cameron.
