Breaking down the race for the 20th GOP nomination

Chris Graham

The 20th District Republican Party nomination is Dickie Bell’s to lose, just as it appeared this time last week in the hours after Chris Saxman’s stunning announcement that he was dropping out of the race. Bell is an ideal candidate in more ways than one. The 62-year-old moderate is in his fourth term on Staunton…

Dueling cross-party endorsements

Chris Graham

Republicans for Deeds. A prominent Democrat for McDonnell. The fight for the center is on. “Eighteen years ago, I came to Richmond as a freshman delegate with both Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell,” former Roanoke Republican State Sen. Brandon Bell said this week at the launch of what is formally known as Virginians for Deeds,…

Team Coverage | Jody Wagner visits Downtown Waynesboro

Chris Graham

Democratic Party lieutenant-governor nominee Jody Wagner toured Downtown Waynesboro on Thursday with 25th House District Democratic Party nominee Greg Marrow. Our Team Coverage includes video from Wagner’s walking tour and her remarks to supporters at a downtown bakery, a photo essay by AFP publisher Crystal Graham and a column by AFP editor Chris Graham.

Poll: McDonnell leads Deeds by three

Chris Graham

Republican Bob McDonnell has a three-point lead on Democrat Creigh Deeds in the 2009 Virginia governor’s race, according to a poll out today from Rasmussen Reports. The poll has McDonnell at 44 percent and Deeds at 41 percent. Rasmussen had Deeds ahead by a 47 percent-to-41 percent margin after the June 9 Democratic Party primary.

From the Campaign Trail

Chris Graham

Friday, July 17 – McDonnell takes $100K from Swift Boaters – Shannon asks Cuccinelli to clarify incendiary remarks by ticketmate Wednesday, July 15 – Wagner to visit Valley on Thursday Tuesday, July 14 – AG Race: Shannon asks Cuccinelli question on votes on drunk-driving bills Monday, July 13 – Governor’s Race: Deeds to report $3.4M…

Newsworthy

Chris Graham

Friday, July 17 – Virginia Bioinformatics Institute researchers present systems biology as a clinical approach to cancer Thursday, July 16 – eVA passes $20B purchase mark – ACLU praises Newport News for action allowing tea party Thursday, July 16 – eVA passes $20B purchase mark – ACLU praises Newport News for action allowing tea party…

Chris Graham | Do the right thing, Tim

Chris Graham

I get that the flap over Gov. Tim Kaine’s travel schedules got going because Republicans didn’t have anything better to do with their time this summer. But the wild swing by GOP chair Pat Mullins has connected solidly and sent the political baseball uncomfortably toward the cheap seats in deep left-center, uncomfortably, that is, for…

Updates from the Campaign Trail

Chris Graham

Friday, July 10 – AG Race: Cuccinelli calls for special session – 20th House: Saxman statement on anti-gang committee Thursday, July 9 – Dems respond to McDonnell-Bolling jobs agenda Wednesday, July 8 – LG Race: Wagner calls Bolling out on Palin visit – Governor’s Race: Statement from Creigh Deeds on expansion of stem-cell research