Note: This was originally posted to The Full Slate Project blog. District profiles in most red districts in Virginia with a Democratic challenger can be found and searched for there.
A Democratic candidate is challenging for the District 54 seat for the first time since 1993. Republican Bobby Orrock currently holds this post. The Republican was able to secure 11,829 in this uncontested district the last cycle. Orrock is facing a Republican primary challenge. It is great to see a Democrat challenge this seat after 24 long years.
THE ANNOUNCED DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE IS AL DURANTE
ActBlue
DISTRICT 54 FAST FACTS
Residents = 80,010
Active Registered Voters = 48,210
Percent Registered = 60%
Total Vote in Last Race = 12,271
Participation Rate = 25%
Total Vote for Republican = 11,829
Total Vote for Democrat = 0
Total Vote Other = 442
Localities = Caroline and Spotsylvania Counties
District 54 is made up of 18 precincts with 17 in Spotsylvania County and 1 in Caroline County. It has been a long time since a Democrat has stepped up in this district. You can assume, based on that alone, the Republican probably feels pretty safe. Let's take a look at the data and see if we could find places to look for opportunity.
Here is the share of Active Voters by Locality: