If Tim Kaine is selected as Hillary's VP and they win in November...

[Heisenberg]

Herring is probably his best bet, since Lt. Governor Ralph Northam wants to be governor.

[Heisenberg]

I would say if Kaine (or Warner) is picked as Hillary's VP and he is VP-elect, Gov. McAuliffe may appoint:

-Most likely Mark Herring.

Warner is a no-no for VP, he is the wealthiest Senator. That would not go well with Bernie supporters. His record also used to be (and still is) very moderate. He even backs TPP (but I think Kaine does too), and has a pro-trade record. Kaine also seems more charismatic, plus he speaks Spanish so that should help Clinton with Hispanic outreach (not that she needs any more with Trump topping the Republican ticket).0

[Heisenberg]

McAullife needs to pick the candidate with the best shot at dispatching Cuccinelli or Comstock, both in 2017 and 2018, and that's either Gerry Connolly or Mark Herring to me.

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Oh god.

Don Beyer is who I think McAuliffe would appoint (NOVA Congressman, former Lt. Governor). And if there's a Senate race in 2017, Wittman could jump into this one since he's behind Gillespie in the governor race.

[Heisenberg]

Republicans easily win Virginia in off years. Just ask Gov. Cuccinelli and Sen. Gillespie.

Bolling could have beat McAuliffe, Cooch is just too conservative to run statewide (in 2009 he won with McDonnell's coattails, and NOVA has grown since). Gillespie was practically ignored and everyone was shocked to see him overperform polling. People expected Warner to win in a landslide like in 2008, but if the NRSC knew Gillespie was secretly campaigning strong, they could have helped give him the final push.

[Heisenberg]

Democrats actually have a pretty good track record in Virginia's off year elections.  The only recent one we've lost is 2009.

The government shutdown in 2013 was helpful for the Democratic ticket.

And that the GOP nominated Cuccinelli instead of Bolling. They really need to revert back to a primary. Virginia has to be up there with Colorado as the worst-run state GOP's.