This is a good news/bad news kind of story. As all those who followed the campaign in Virginia to elect our next Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General, might know that one of (there were many) the differences between the Democratic and Republican candidates was the expansion on Medicaid in the Commonwealth. To a man, the 3 Democrats were in support and the Republicans were lined against expansion. After all, Medicaid expansion is part of "Obama Care" and must be stopped at all cost.
Well, as we all know, the Democrats swept all 3 top spots, now hodling the 5 statewide elected offices for the fist time since 1969. However, our work is not done.
Currently, the 6th District Senator, Lt. Governor elect Ralph Northam, has officially resinged his seat in an evenly balanced 20 D and 20 R senate. Unfortunately, gerrymandering has entrenched the GOP in a near veto proof majority in the the House of Delegates.
So how is Medicaid expansion and health insurance coverage for 400,000 working poor in Virginia once again on the ballot? Quite simply, with Governor McAuliffe making Medicaid expansion a cornerstone in his first General Assembly session and facing a hostile Republican House of Delegates, final leverage rests with a Democratic Senate. The special election to choose the successor to Lt. Governor elect and Senator Ralph Northam is scheduled for January 7th, the day before the 2014 General Assembly is graveled into session. If the Republican win this special election, control of the Senate flips to the GOP. Sweeping the election last November is bitter sweet is we turn right around and lose the Senate to the GOP.
The Republicans have nominated a stealth candidate in businessman Wayne Coleman. He talks standard republicam pablum about taxes, regulations and being a proven job creator during his business career and is a self financed millionaire. He does not provide many specifics on the issues except for this, he will go to Richmond to stop Obamacare and that only means being the 21st vote against Medicaid expansion. His Democratic opponent is a common sense legislator in Delegate Lynwood Lewis who is and unabashed proponent of expansion. The vaunted field operation of Virginia Democrats is on the ground with our voter ID and GOTV efforts. We now has just purchased the first week of television time to counter the Coleman ads but need your help.
If you have some spare change to help finance the $250,000 Lewis ad campaign, he can sure use your help.
Thanks!!!!