National gun-control group launches campaign against suburban Republicans in Virginia

[RandySF]

RICHMOND — The national gun-control group Everytown for Gun Safety is beginning a digital advertising blitz in suburban swing districts in Virginia’s pivotal fall election, targeting Republican lawmakers in Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads.

The Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund has launched $135,000 worth of online ads to kick off a promised $2.5 million in spending this year in Virginia, which the group views as a proving ground for the gun-control issue ahead of next year’s presidential election.

“Everytown has launched our most robust electoral program ever for Virginia, and we have one simple goal: Hold gun lobby lawmakers accountable for their choices,” John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, said via email. The strategy highlights the route that Democrats feel they can take to win control of the legislature this fall, when all 140 seats are up for election. In an off-off year, with no presidential or gubernatorial races on the ticket to drive turnout, Democrats have to stir up voter interest in close suburban districts that have been trending blue.

If gun control can help accomplish that, it’s a strong indication to national Democrats for how to approach next year’s races. Many outside groups have begun aiming resources toward Virginia, which is the only state in the country with the balance of power at stake in its elections this year.

Republicans are defending narrow majorities of 20-19 in the state Senate and 51-48 in the House of Delegates, with one vacancy in each chamber.

“It’s not surprising — I mean, Everytown comes in every single year [since 2011],” said John Findlay, executive director of the Republican Party of Virginia. “If the gun issue was as potent as Everytown thinks it is, we would’ve had Democrat majorities in the House and Senate for the past eight years.”



https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/national-gun-control-group-launches-campaign-against-suburban-republicans-in-virginia/2019/08/21/d4004f6c-c39d-11e9-b72f-b31dfaa77212_story.html

[sharedvalues]

1. You did have a Democratic majority

Except a coin flip handed it to Republicans.

Virginia is too educated and too close to DC where people understand politics. Republicans there are doomed. Only suckers and fools and the uneducated vote GOP any more, and Virginia is wising up

[gratuitous]

2. Well, John Findlay, sounds like you and the Republicans have nothing to worry about

Just keep doing what you're doing, and believe in the NRA. Let's see how that works out.