Here is a VPAP Map that shows Clinton and Trump spreads by House District. This map is being used by Blue Virginia as a predictor for which House Seats democrats are more likely to pick up in the November elections in 2017.
Note in the graphic below that there are 17 “Clinton districts” currently held by Republicans. Add those 17 to the 34 Democrats we currently have in the HoD, and you get…yep, 51 out of 100, a majority. Sensing a pattern here?
The lesson? Republicans have their work cut out for them. Virginia was a solid win for Hillary Clinton, even as Republicans scored some unexpected wins in blue counties like my own Caroline County. The Democrats are expected to roll out an aggressive campaign to trim the House Republican’s majority and will have hundreds of volunteers on the ground. Republicans need to meet Democrat intensity with their own. Complacency will absolutely cost Republicans in November; an election which will feature a hotly contested gubernatorial race.
If you are looking to get involved in protecting the Republican Majority in the House of Delegates, go here.
Locally, whether you volunteer for the Party or not, there is a great deal that you can do. Local activism is easy and it doesn’t require a great deal of your time. My suggestion is this: find time to meet with your delegate on Lobby Day, January 16th. Take your three most important issues to your delegate and explain to them that you’d like to get involved in volunteering to help get out the vote, hand out yard signs, etc. Use the opportunity to inform your delegate about what issues are most important to you and to get their contact information. Make sure they have yours. Let them know that you are willing to help get them reelected.
You can even ask them to put you in touch with local Republican leaders in your district.
If you live in a blue district, attend your next county Republican Party unit meeting. A quick google search should get you the information that you need. Ask them what you can do to help get your Republican challenger elected in November. If your local Republican Party cannot make use of you, for whatever reason, then use the link above to reach out to the Republican Party of Virginia (and make sure to let them know that your local unit says there is nothing for you to do, I’m sure they’d be interested in that information).
Also, remember that politics is about relationships and ideas. There are 3 ways to form strong relationships in your community. First, volunteer for local charities. Second, join your local Republican Party. Third, join local committees – there are usually committees that put on local community events, agricultural fairs or art fairs, music fairs, etc. The important thing to remember is to be involved. Involvement breeds relationships and relationships breed influence. Also, it helps if you’re a kind person with character and integrity.
The November elections will be important and you’re kidding yourselves if you think we don’t need you.
