Former President Clinton will be the main draw at a fundraiser for Virginia Senate Democrats just days before an election that will decide the party’s fate in Richmond through 2013. Democrats are hoping that having Clinton at the Oct. 28 event will boost campaign coffers heading into the final leg of the Nov. 8 general election — when they will be fighting to maintain a slim 22-18 majority in the Senate.
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If Republicans pick up just two seats, they will have effective control of the Senate because Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican, presides over the chamber and holds the tiebreaking vote. With a Republican governor in Bob McDonnell and a strong GOP majority in the House of Delegates, taking over the Senate would give Republicans virtually unchecked control of the capital.
Terry McAuliffe, a candidate for governor in 2009 and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is hosting the fundraiser at his McLean home. A longtime Clinton ally and fundraiser, McAuliffe’s push to bring in a big name to fight for legislative seats underlines the significance of an off-year election that would otherwise fly under the national radar.
“President Clinton has a very busy schedule, and that he’s willing to come here and help Virginia Democrats shows how important this is,” said Levar Stoney, spokesman for McAuliffe. “Sometimes people aren’t paying attention to off-year elections and you sometimes need a person like President Clinton to come in and highlight the importance of these races.”
Admission details of the Virginia event have yet to be determined. The Republican Party of Virginia had no comment on Clinton’s appearance in the state.
If Democrats are successful in defending the statehouse in November, it would solidify Virginia’s status as a tossup state heading into the 2012 presidential election despite strong Republican gains two years ago, including control of the governorship.
“There’s no doubt this is going to be a battleground state,” Stoney said.
