Activists in VA-10 are announcing that all of the declared challengers to Barbara Comstock (R) have signed an Accountability Pledge. This includes the eight Democratic opponents as well as GOP challenger Shak Hill.
Candidates signing the pledge promise to:
- Hold three town halls each year
- Articulate positions on key issues before voting
- Not block constituents on social media
- Remain open to opposing viewpoints
Comstock has not held a single town hall since being elected to Congress in 2014, and the resistance unleashed by Trump’s election, has brought new scrutiny on members who are refusing to hold town halls.
All three major local newspapers have published editorials this year calling on her to hold a in person town hall:
Comstock of course refused to sign the pledge which could be trouble for her given the results of a recent poll.
Comstock’s refusal to hold a town hall is now harming her politically. Last week, the Global Strategy Group announced the results of a poll of VA-10 residents that it conducted during the month of July. The results showed overwhelming bipartisan demand for Rep. Comstock to hold an in person town hall:
- 71% of all respondents say she should hold a town hall this summer
- 68% of Republicans
- 72% of Independents
In addition to promising a minimum of three town halls, candidates signing the pledge have also promised to not block constituents on social media. Comstock has been facing criticism for blocking constituents on social media and she was called out on this earlier in the week by ACLU Virginia.