Last night I attended the James City County Democratic Committe Annual Banquet (a mouthful, I know). In attendance were Senator Webb, State Senator Deeds, countless candidates for General Assembly, and representatives of the State Party.The room was vibrant. I could tell that at this point, while we Democrats were still high from the fantastic success of Jim Webb last November, we were extremely excited about the upcoming election in which Richmond's legislative offices will feel the change that is so alive in Virginia. From East to West, from Central to Northern, Republicans are facing excruciating challenges from strong Democrats who demand that state representatives answer to the constituents. Many incumbents (nine) are choosing to quit rather than face a re-election fight. Last night one race in particular was on everyone's mind and in everyone's conversation. The 96th District: Troy Farlow's race.
The 96th District of the Virginia House of Delegates is gerrymandered to pick up some moderate areas of James City County, the Republican precincts of Newport News, and all but three precincts of the heavily Republican York County, where most of the voters in the 96th are located.
A Democrat is not supposed to win the 96th District.
This year, Democrat Troy Farlow will win the 96th District.
York county voted for Kilgore over Kaine by a spread of 8 points. It voted for Allen over Webb by a spread of 17 points. Why should Virginia Democrats even bother trying to pick up its seat in the House of Delegates. Well, the reasons are endless...
To begin with, the 96th district has been sadly represented by the painfully under-qualified Melanie Rapp for seven years. The far-right lackey has consistently voted with her party, with the exception of the times it would do the Commonwealth good. She voted against the transportation package. This past session her premier bill was one penalizing people who drive in the left lane too long. When students of William and Mary asked for her help in attaining voting rights, she promised it, but failed to turn in the paperwork for her bill on time.
Thankfully, Ms. Rapp is 'retiring' (though I don't see how one can really retire from a job they never performed).
Secondly, the area is leaning more and more Democrat. Tim Kaine won neighboring James City County, which now has a majority-Democrat Board of Supervisors. Waves of Northern Virginians are moving to the Williamsburg area for a less expensive version of their lifestyle. These are Democrats. I have already been canvassing in the area and most people I meet in precincts such as Magruder and Queens Lake are thankful for the change towards a smarter, bluer Virginia.
Third: York County shares the same need for Virginia Democrats as counties all over the commonwealth. Citizens are concerned about the environment, transportation, and education. It is an educated county, and its people deserve a responsive representative in Richmond.
Finally: we are blessed with a fine and devoted candidate in Troy Farlow. Troy is a born-and-raised Virginian and an educated businessman. He is committed to the principles of the Democratic Party and to being an active and intelligent legislator. He has done a fantastic job raising money and awareness. Just last quarter he pulled in an impressive $70,024 from 295 donors.
With the help of thousands of Virginia Democrats, I know Troy Farlow will win this November. Personally, I will give a bit of my money and as many hours as I can as a college student, but I urge all of you reading this: if you have the money, contribute; if you live in the area: contribute your labor. Troy Farlow is the next big thing in the wave that is turning Virginia's Lower Peninsula blue.
I'm working around the clock to help Bruce Roemmelt send Marshall into retirement, and I'll spend a few days each month helping Susan Mariner with the Hampton Roads campaigns as well, which not so coincidentally includes working on Troy's campaign.
Two years ago very few people believed that Bruce could even raise a significant amt. of money in his 13th HOD race against Marshall (he did, I think almost a quarter of a million bucks), much less come even close to winning (he came within about 6-7% points as I recall).
And of course we all know that until Troy arrived on the scene very few people thought that any Dem. would have a chance against Melanie Rapp. How's that for a couple of Bruce/Troy "coincidences" and why I'm so thrilled to be working so hard for both ?!
These are two HOD seats that two years ago seemed untouchable, and now we can win both. What a huge difference two years can make !
GO BIG BLUE !!!
Tom Counts, Gainesville, VA
Proud to be a Bruce Rommelt and Jim Webb Democrat.
Bruce Roemmelt was kind enough to attend the William and Mary Young Democrats banquet last Wednesday so I had the pleasure of meeting him. I can tell that that race is very important because Manassas is changing, Bruce is awesome, and Bob Marshall is, well, a sick bastard.
Email me at amelia@wm.edu if you'd like to talk about these races. Thanks,
-Legacy of Marshall
I do agree with your comments about James City. It's kinda like a little Loudoun County.
But try walking in Tabb, Bethel, or Grafton and you'll see how conservative the 96th is. Or try Norge or Toano in James City. Barlow has the better James City precincts. Farlow does have the right profile to win over the country clubbers in the Powhatan and Berkeley areas. It will be interesting to see who the GOP runs.