Virginia Democrats Run to The Left in Key 2017 Race

[Judi Lynn]

by MARK MURRAY
MAR 19 2017, 9:53 AM ET


The liberal showdown in Virginia's gubernatorial race played out earlier this month in Northern Virginia, where Democrat Ralph Northam met with workers at Ronald Reagan National Airport who were campaigning for a $15-per-hour minimum wage.

"We need to work hard to increase the minimum wage," he told NBC News after the event, later adding: "I've been fighting for progressive values in Virginia for the last 10 years."

The very next day, his primary opponent Tom Perriello made the same visit - and his campaign told NBC that he had embraced raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour before Northam did.

Say hello to the 2017 Democratic gubernatorial primary in Virginia, which increasingly has become a contest to see which candidate is more progressive. And say goodbye to the more centrist Virginia Democratic playbook that current Sen. Mark Warner — and Tim Kaine and Jim Webb, to lesser degrees — used successfully in the state over the last 16 years.

More:
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/virginia-democrats-run-left-key-2017-race-n735036

[yeoman6987]

1. Good! The more progressive the better

Virginia is not the same it was 10 years ago. It is a permanent blue state and candidates need to act like it is.

[Demsrule86]

3. Trump barely lost Virginia and our

VP was from Virginia...I am not certain you are correct. I have family in Virginia who vote for Democrats mostly, but I would not call them strong progressives.

[yeoman6987]

5. Disappointing. I guess you are right

I was overzealous in my post.

[Demsrule86]

6. I hope to be wrong...and let's not freak out when the winner of the primary moves to the center...

They might have to...but maybe just maybe you are correct and the state is progressive and the attacks on Hillary by the Russians caused the election results in 16..and we are finally turning a corner and going to elect true progressives in states like Virginia. I am hopeful...just nervous with so much riding on these elections.

[Demsrule86]

2. I would be pleased to see this but

only if we keep the seat. Running to the left in purple states is tricky.

[rogue emissary]

4. Another click bait headline

This one excerpt shows how this article is all over the place.

"No question Perriello is dragging Northam to the left," Sabato said. "Actually, Northam has moved left during the McAuliffe administration, even before Perriello announced. But now Northam has to stress all of his liberal positions — some of which, on gun control and abortion, may be more to the left than Perriello's record."