VA: Northam announces candidacy for Governor

[Miles]

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Herring is running for reelection as AG, so I'd expect VA Democrats to clear the field for Northam.

[Senate Minority Leader Lord Voldemort]

Should be a close one. Tossup/tilt D.

[RFayette]

Should be a close one. Tossup/tilt D.

[/]

Hopefully this means we won't sink below 10 governorships anytime soon.

[Mr. Reactionary]

Clearly the outcome of 2016 will matter, but I'd say Northam has a much greater shot than Gillespie. Northam is a doctor and is not insanely leftist. Gillespie is a carpetbagging establishment Enron-lobbyist.

[Panhandle Progressive]

Clearly the outcome of 2016 will matter, but I'd say Northam has a much greater shot than Gillespie. Northam is a doctor and is not insanely leftist. Gillespie is a carpetbagging establishment Enron-lobbyist.

I'd respectfully disagree. Gillespie only lost his Senate race by apx. 18,000 votes against an incumbent Senator the media (and virtually every pollster) said numerous times was unbeatable. Had it seemed like he had a chance on election day he may have come out ahead. Gillespie is a huge favorite to win this race, as much as I hate to admit it. I also believe Northam will end up being a lackluster candidate.

[windjammer]

Republicans would be favored to pick up this gubernational seat if Hillary wins, but not because of Northam.

[Mr. Reactionary]

Clearly the outcome of 2016 will matter, but I'd say Northam has a much greater shot than Gillespie. Northam is a doctor and is not insanely leftist. Gillespie is a carpetbagging establishment Enron-lobbyist.

I'd respectfully disagree. Gillespie only lost his Senate race by apx. 18,000 votes against an incumbent Senator the media (and virtually every pollster) said numerous times was unbeatable. Had it seemed like he had a chance on election day he may have come out ahead. Gillespie is a huge favorite to win this race, as much as I hate to admit it. I also believe Northam will end up being a lackluster candidate.

That's a fair view. 2014 was astounding, but I tend to view it as more of an aberration. Gillespie rope-a-doped through most of the campaign to discourage Warner (richest Senator) from burying Gillespie with ads or engaging in substantial GOTV efforts. By the time Gillespie started campaigning last year, it was late enough that Warner's money advantage was significantly degraded because at that point there was only a finite amount of available ad time left. The last 3 weeks I couldn't get in my car without hearing "Mark Warner voted with Obama 96% of the time" but only heard Warner ads on rare occasions. It was a very smart strategy by Gillespie, but I don't see the VA Dems falling for it again, especially in a year where there aren't national elections to distract. We'll see what happens though.

[Panhandle Progressive]

Clearly the outcome of 2016 will matter, but I'd say Northam has a much greater shot than Gillespie. Northam is a doctor and is not insanely leftist. Gillespie is a carpetbagging establishment Enron-lobbyist.

I'd respectfully disagree. Gillespie only lost his Senate race by apx. 18,000 votes against an incumbent Senator the media (and virtually every pollster) said numerous times was unbeatable. Had it seemed like he had a chance on election day he may have come out ahead. Gillespie is a huge favorite to win this race, as much as I hate to admit it. I also believe Northam will end up being a lackluster candidate.

Northam had the biggest win of 2013.

Although this is true it was only because he was running against a kooky ultra right-wing candidate (E. W. Jackson) who was extremely unappealing to most independents and many moderates. I believe VA Dems would have a much better chance at this race had Herring ran instead of Northam.

[Maxwell]

Excellent News! Northam will deliver a thunderous defeat to Enron Gillespie.

[Mr. Illini]

Herring would be a better governor, but Northam is a strong candidate

[Mr. Reactionary]

Honestly I think they should allow their governor to run for a second term.

Technically we have no term limits, we just don't allow consecutive terms.

[RRusso1982]

I don't know if Gillespie is going to get a clear run on the GOP side.  I said this on another post, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if Bill Bolling ran.  Remember, Bolling wanted to run in 2009, but stood aside for McDonnell and ran for reelection as Lieutenant Governor in the hopes that the nomination would be his in 2013.  Then he stood aside in 2013, knowing that he had no chance against Cuccinelli in a state convention dominated by conservative activists.  Imagine how he must have felt after the election, seeing Cuccinelly do much better than the polls showed and only losing by 2.5 percent and knowing that he would have most likely beaten McAuliffe. 

[Holmes]

Should be close. Like most other Virginia governor races.