This news that the McAuliffes are trying to backdoor their way into a congressional seat for the former First Lady might be enough for me to change my tune on the redistricting referendum.
“I’m a proud mom of five and a new grandmother, and right now, I’m worried about the future of all our children. Throughout my career I have been honored to serve our Commonwealth and our country, and deliver for neighbors and everyday people who do not have a voice in the halls of power in Richmond or Washington,” said Dorothy McAuliffe, the wife of former governor, and 2021 failed gubernatorial nominee, Terry McAuliffe, in a statement announcing her campaign for the Seventh District seat, which would stretch from the DC suburbs to the West Virginia line through Augusta County, pending the results of the April 21 referendum.
We all know a couple where the guy schemes to set up the wife to be the CEO of the family business so that they can qualify for women-owned business advantages.
That’s what this feels like.
Yes, her resume includes an appointment in the Biden administration, she set up an office in the Patrick Henry Building when her husband was governor, she’s an attorney who worked in banking and security law.
No offense to her, but, don’t trust a McAuliffe.
The NoVa candidates in the Democratic Party nomination race in the Seventh have the obvious advantage.
Ken Mitchell, the Sixth District nominee in the 2024 cycle, who lives in Rockingham County, best of luck to you, in that respect.
The Mitchell campaign sent me a press release earlier in the week touting $50,000 in digital fundraising in the first two months of 2026.
The McAuliffe campaign sent out a release this morning to humblebrag about raising $800,000 yesterday.
That’s what the McAuliffes do – they raise money, in gobs, from corporate types that want to keep the Democratic Party as close to the center-right as possible.
Dan Helmer, a state delegate from Fairfax, and JP Cooney, a former federal prosecutor who served on the staff of Special Counsel Jack Smith and was later fired by Donald Trump, are also in the race in the Seventh.
The Anybody But A McAuliffe portion of the 2026 midterm cycle has officially begun.
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Chris Graham
