Election 2019: Political Control in Virginia Up for Grabs in Tight Election
ASHBURN, Va.—Democrats are banking on this affluent, fast-growing suburb of Washington, D.C., to help the party claim simultaneous control of Virginia’s legislative and executive branches for the first time in a quarter-century.
Virginia is one of just four states holding state legislative elections in November, and the showdown there could offer clues on party strength in suburban swing districts for next year’s presidential election.
The political divisions in Virginia are close enough to make the overall outcome a tossup. The GOP is defending a single-seat majority in the 40-member Senate and a three-seat margin in the 100-member House of Delegates. Both chambers have one vacant seat.
A Democratic sweep would put Gov. Ralph Northam’s recent gun-control proposals back in play, while putting his party in charge ahead of political redistricting after the 2020 census. Republicans are trying to retain divided government in the state to block Democrats’ efforts on firearms and other issues.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/political-control-in-virginia-up-for-grabs-in-tight-election-11568971803
