RK ARCHIVE - New guy here!

I just moved from Northwestern North Carolina a couple of weeks ago. There I was the campaign manager for Roger Sharpe, the Democratic contender against the repugnant Virginia Foxx (NC-5). Although we lost, we definitely raised eyebrows, showing the nation that a strong grassroots campaign can make large in-roads into a Republican stronghold.

I have temporarily moved to Henry County, in VA-5. Needless to say, I have gone from one reprehensible Congressperson to another in Goode. What luck!

I come from a state with a strong progressive blog in BlueNC. After doing some searching, I found you guys. So, naturally, I am writing to introduce myself. It is a pleasure to meet all of you, and hopefully, we will in constant dialogue.

I, however, do have a question. Can anyone give me the skinny on the politics of this district?

Comments

From an outsider (Rob - 10/5/2007 10:55:19 PM)

I hope some people who live there will chime in, but basically Charlottesville trends liberal and the rest of the district doesn't.

Also, a good blogger from that area is Waldo --

http://waldo.jaquith...

Henry County (DemVet - 10/6/2007 12:57:58 AM)

I hate to say this, but I've never even heard of Henry County. Where is it exactly? Besides in the 5th district, I mean.

I'm in Hampton Roads. Norfolk area.

Welcome Drew.

Henry County (lumpkincharm - 10/6/2007 1:21:02 AM)

It is on the Southern Border of the state, right across from North Carolina. Right beside Patrick County, which I am told used to be one county: Patrick Henry County. But since I am new here, I just gotta go by what I hear.

DPVA-DNC contact in Pulaski (joe8track - 10/8/2007 1:14:09 PM)

Hi Drew,

Welcome to Virginia!

I'm up in Northern Virginia and grew up in the Tidewater area. My knowledge of the Southside is fairly limited. However, I have a counterpart just north of you in the Radford area. His name is Brian Phillips. Brian is currently working hard on the races in the SW.

His contact information is on the Democratic Party of Virginia website.

You also live in the same county as the House Minority Leader Delegate Ward Armstrong!

Take care,

Joe Montano
Dep. Political Director-Northern VA
DPVA
DNC Partnership Program

2006 5th Election (Gordie - 10/9/2007 4:45:32 PM)

Charlottesville 77% D; Albemarle 55% D; Brunswich 56% D; Nelson 53% D; Martinsville City 56% D; Danville City went 50.2% R; Prince Edward went 51% R; Fluvanna 53% R; Buckingham 53% R; These Counties would not be had to turn blue, with a good GOTV campaign.
The rest of the counties went 60% and higher R; BUT one has to look that some of those counties had less then 48% turnout while most of the state was in the high 50's and some were in the high 60's.
There are many areas, probably over half where a good 5th District Democratic Campaign could turn the 5th into a 50/50 District.
Most of the work is this December, with Committee elections. I personally know that some of the northern Counties of the 5th have many Republican Sympathizers or may even be Republicans.

Henry County (Gordie - 10/9/2007 4:51:31 PM)

With a 48.15 % turnout in 2006, it would not be hard to change Henry into a Democratic County. A 53 to 54 percent turnout would probably do it.

G F Allen Republican 9,100 54.86%
J H Webb Jr Democratic 7,319 44.12%