Virginia Democrats went for a native son instead of a national name for their gubernatorial candidate, but now Creigh Deeds finds himself in America’s most-watched election of 2009.
Both national parties are looking to the contest as a warm up for the 2010 midterm elections and for signs of how voters are responding to the policies of President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats.
Republicans see Virginia as their chance at starting a comeback. The Old Dominion had been GOP territory in presidential elections for 40 years until President Barack Obama put it in the Democrats’ column in 2008.
Democrats, meanwhile, will be looking to show the Virginia as a blue state, not a swing state. New Democratic National Committee chairman and outgoing Gov. Tim Kaine, has gotten mixed reviews for his work as party boss. He says he is determined not to see his successor in Richmond be a Republican.
Deeds will face another home-grown candidate in Republican Bob McDonnell, the state’s former attorney general, who has been airing television and radio ads for weeks and has consistently led Deeds and his Democratic rivals candidates in polls.
Republicans are also eyeing the New Jersey governor’s race, in which abysmal poll numbers for incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine have created an opportunity for GOP nominee Chris Christie.
“Strong performances in both Virginia and New Jersey are important,” said Republican strategist Carl Forti, who in recent years oversaw the House Republican campaign arm and also worked for Mitt Romney’s 2008 campaign for president.
But while New Jersey is an appealing opportunity to pick off a seat, Virginia is seen as crucial to Republican national viability.
The Republican Governors Association has given McDonnell $2 million in the past three months and will likely pour more cash into the race as the general election heats up. With a nominee in place, Kaine and his fellow Democrats are expected to bring similar financial firepower to the contest.
Lionel Sosa, who worked as a political consultant for President George W. Bush, warned that Republicans have a long way to go to regain their footing with the rest of the nation, even if McDonnell succeeds in Virginia.
“If we win, we have to learn from that win and we have to work hard to improve on the things this candidate did to win that vote,” Sosa said.
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