In Virginia we have an election every year, whether we want to or not. Folks often say, “This is the most important election”, every year. Well I have to agree that the 2019 election in Virginia is the most important one, at least for the next 10 years. This is the election that, I believe, will flip the General Assembly BLUE!
Every four years all 140 General Assembly seats are on the ballot, and this is one of those years. If you remember, 2017 showed the nation that our system of breaking tied elections is old as dirt. They drew a film canister from a bowl. Now who still uses film in their camera? The lack of luck of that draw allowed the House of Delegates to remain in Republican control, 51 to 49.
The outcome of the 2019 election has one other major ramification. It will decide who will redraw the legislative districts after the 2020 census. Now there was legislation introduced to give that power to an independent commission. But the bill that did pass. The one that did, and needs to pass again next year for a voter decision, took the governor out of the process. The only person voted on by all voters was cut out of the redistricting process. Ridiculous!
Up until a week ago, we thought we had Democrats for most of our Senate seats. Then a candidate, in a Tier 1 and very flippable seat, decided not to run. So with some nudging (actually pleading) from some friends, I decided to run for the Virginia Senate’s District 7. Though asked by Emily’s List to run in October, I remained on the sidelines because of the promise I made to support the person I thought was running.
Senate District 7 lies mostly in Virginia Beach, with 3 precincts in Norfolk. Virginia Beach had two delegate seats flip, the 21st and 85th. Seats not expected to turn blue by many “political experts”. Those two House of Delegates districts make up the bulk of Senate District 7. It has been trending red-to-blue since 2016. All three statewide officials won the district. Both Senator Tim Kaine and Congresswoman Elaine Luria won the district. Senate District 7 is ripe for the picking.
So now you too are on the edge of a Virginia Blue Flip. Look for more info on my campaign in the coming days.
Hippen for Virginia Senate District 7