VA-2021: Mark Herring is IN

[Zaybay]

The current D AG of Virginia has announced that he will run for the governor seat in 2021.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/state-attorney-general-mark-herring-to-run-for-virginia-governor-in-2021/2018/12/07/d79d10a4-fa5a-11e8-8d64-4e79db33382f_story.html

[Jeppe]

Meh, I'll probably vote for somebody else in the primary.

[MT Treasurer]

Definitely Safe D, even if a Democrat is president in 2021.

[Holmes]

A bit early, but maybe he's trying to get the jump on Fairfax because I'm sure he's going to run too.

[IceSpear]

A bit early, but maybe he's trying to get the jump on Fairfax because I'm sure he's going to run too.

Yeah, he probably doesn't want to get boxed out again. Didn't he want to run in 2017 but backed down?

[Zaybay]

A bit early, but maybe he's trying to get the jump on Fairfax because I'm sure he's going to run too.

Yeah, he probably doesn't want to get boxed out again. Didn't he want to run in 2017 but backed down?

Apparently, he was gearing up to run in 2017, but McAullfie and other big wigs in the VADEMs backed Northam, so Herring was boxed out. In my opinion, it looks like hes doing the same thing to Fairfax.

[Virginiá]

Apparently, he was gearing up to run in 2017, but McAullfie and other big wigs in the VADEMs backed Northam, so Herring was boxed out. In my opinion, it looks like hes doing the same thing to Fairfax.

Why can't any of these people just willingly sit still for a couple terms? Is there anyone out there who just wants to be Attorney General and nothing else? I can understand the Lt Gov, since it's a do-nothing job anyway, but not the AG.

Democrats really need to make a push for longer term limits once they take over.

[Lechasseur]

Definitely Safe D, even if a Democrat is president in 2021.

[Lechasseur]

Frankly I would have been surprised had Herring not decided to run

[Roll Roons]

I wouldn't call this safe D, but it is very likely D hold.

Neither 2013 or 2017 were blow outs.

Well, there's always the chance that Corey Stewart gets nominated.

[Virginiá]

2017 wasn't quite a blowout, but I think it is a lot more representative of where Virginia will be in 2021. McDonnell delivered a shellacking to Democrats, but despite its size, it was more like a last gasp of the Virginia Republican Party. It's one of those candidate over-performances that doesn't really mean anything beyond that one election.

Not that I think 2021 will be a Northam-sized win necessarily, but the size of the win isn't too important so long as the wins are consistent.

[TML]

If Northam's approval rating is relatively high in 2021, Herring would probably be on track to win if nominated. Remember that exit polls from the 2017 election had Governor McAuliffe's net approval rating at +13.

On the other hand, if Northam is relatively unpopular in 2021, then I think a more progressive primary challenger would probably be necessary in order ensure a Democratic win.

[💥💥 brandon bro (he/him/his)]

re: 2017... in what universe is a 9 point win with a 4 point improvement over a federal race not a blowout

It was a comfortable enough win that a major candidate within the administration declared he's going to run to be his successor three years out. No candidate is that confident in succeeding an incumbent unless that incumbent won in a blowout.

[ltomlinson31]

re: 2017... in what universe is a 9 point win with a 4 point improvement over a federal race not a blowout

It was a comfortable enough win that a major candidate within the administration declared he's going to run to be his successor three years out. No candidate is that confident in succeeding an incumbent unless that incumbent won in a blowout.

Not to mention it also had the largest gain of seats in the House of Delegates in the state by any party since the 1890s.

[Torrain]

Not massively surprising. The real question is what happens to Justin Fairfax.
Does he run for re-election as LG, and try for Governor in 2025?
Does he inherit Warner’s seat in 2020/2026?
Does he take a risk and run against Herring?

[Woody]

I think George Allen should run again, he could perhaps take down Herring, a bad candidate that underperformed both McAuliffe and Northam.

[ON Progressive]

I think George Allen should run again, he could perhaps take down Herring, a bad candidate that underperformed both McAuliffe and Northam.

LMAO. Virginia is a solid blue state now, and a retread will only solidify that.

[OneJ]

Eh...I'm not particularly excited about this. I was (and kinda still) hoping for Fairfax.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Herring is a drug warrior, but I fully expect the Virginia tradition of electing mediocre Democrats to continue.

[Woody]

Obenshein could also have a rematch against Herring.

[America Needs R'hllor]

I think George Allen Phil Bredesen should run again, he could perhaps take down Herring Blackburn, a bad candidate

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

I think George Allen Phil Bredesen should run again, he could perhaps take down Herring Blackburn, a bad candidate

Bredesen picked a fight with Leader Schumer over Kavanaugh. You dont do this until you are elected. It was a major blunder.

Dems win in a Biden, Booker or Harris midterm

[Hydera]

re: 2017... in what universe is a 9 point win with a 4 point improvement over a federal race not a blowout

It was a comfortable enough win that a major candidate within the administration declared he's going to run to be his successor three years out. No candidate is that confident in succeeding an incumbent unless that incumbent won in a blowout.

Its not a blowout compared to 2009 (even though McDonnell's huge win didnt lead to some "dealignment" of Virginia back to the GOP column).

[Young Conservative]

Its hilarious watching people pretend VA is as partisan as TN.

[ON Progressive]

Its hilarious watching people pretend VA is as partisan as TN.

It's hilarious watching people pretend Republicans have a chance at winning Virginia.