VCC Magazine Winter 2018

V irginia C apitol C onnections , W inter 2018 9 policymakers should carefully weigh (1) access by voters to the process, (2) efficiency in the administration and operation of the process, and (3) upholding the integrity of the process. All of these are important to ensuring that Virginia elections meet the expectations of Virginia voters and that the voters maintain confidence in their elections. We are interested in working closely with policymakers as we approach the 2018 Session. Please do not hesitate to contact your local electoral board members or voter registrar. Walt Latham, General Registrar at York County, President of the Voter Registrars Association of Virginia. last November was notably larger than that of Hillary Clinton/Tim Kaine ticket, which won the Old Dominion by roughly 5 points in 2016. Republicans are gaining in some places, but the strongest Republican areas are in the sparsely populated counties of Virginia’s southwestern corner, an economically struggling region that attracts few new residents. Democrats may be an endangered species in Russell County in Southwest Virginia, for example, where Northam received 22 percent of the vote. But places like Russell doesn’t amount to much in statewide vote totals: the county gave Republican Ed Gillespie a roughly 3,600 vote advantage. In contrast, Fairfax County gave Northam a margin of 137,000 more votes. The greatest declines in support for Democratic candidates were Buchanan and Tazewell counties, where the party’s vote share dropped by 29 and 25 points respectively during the 12-year period, a time when unionized coal jobs in the region were in steep decline. The greatest increase in support for Democratic candidates occurred in Manassas Park, a rapidly diversifying corner of NorthernVirginia, which marked a 17-point gain for Northam when compared to Kaine’s 2005 election. Virginia is not a one-party dominant jurisdiction. When parties are tired of losing, they change strategies. For Republicans, then, the elections of 2017 offered a painful lesson: to win, future GOP statewide candidates must respond to a state that is growing increasingly suburban, more ethnically diverse, and less rural with each election cycle. An economically focused message is far more likely to win such voters than a more divisive campaign that focuses on abortion, Confederate statues, and Latino gangs. This June, Republicans will select the party’s nominee to challenge Kaine in his bid for re-election to the U.S. Senate. Will the party respond to the changing political culture of Virginia? This is the key electoral question for Virginia politics in 2018. Stephen J. Farnsworth is professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, where he directs the Center for Leadership and Media Studies. Stephen Hanna is professor of geography at UMW. Parking available adjacent to building Phone 804-644-1702 FAX: 804-644-1703 E-Mail: thecitybar1548@gmail.com Web Site: www.whitehousecateringva.com hen it comes to events no one throws a party like David Napier. Known throughout Central Virginia for his wonderful food and hospitality, David is delighted to have opened his catering facility in the heart of Shockoe Bottom. No event is too small or large. Delicious Box Lunches delivered. O ne of Richmond’s most elegant dining rooms is now exclusively available for your private parties and special events. Our award winning chefs produce an array of dishes from steaks and seafood to vegetarian and international masterpieces that will satisfy the most discriminating palate. The Old City Bar is the perfect place to celebrate. evidence that our representatives listen.” It all comes back to Virginia’s long-time role in making American history and the opportunities that are being presented now. Newly sworn-in Governor Ralph Northam talked about Virginia moving forward in his Inaugural speech. In fact, one of the closing lines was, “This country is once again looking to Virginia to lead the way.” The whole country is watching us. In fact, the whole world is watching. The now famous Richmond billboard also reads, “Not One More GenERAtion.” What about not one more year? What if this is the year that Virginia leads the way by ratifying the ERA? “What if” indeed. Only time…and this session…will tell. Sarah Alderson is an award-winning freelance writer who also works in the General Assembly broadcast control rooms during sessions and the Capitol Studio throughout the year. She can be reached at aldersonproductions@gmail.com . Making History from page 6 Good Government from page 7 V V V