Virginia race for Spanberger's open seat in Congress is heating up

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Virginia race for Spanberger’s open seat in Congress is heating up
The battle between Eugene Vindman (D) and Derrick Anderson (R), both Army veterans turned lawyers, is one of the country’s most closely watched House races.


Virginia 7th Congressional District candidates Yevgeny “Eugene” Vindman (D), left, and Derrick Anderson (R). (Shedrick Pelt for The Washington Post; Derrick Anderson campaign)

By Teo Armus
September 20, 2024 at 6:00 a.m. EDT

Less than two months before the November election, the claws are coming out in the race for a crucial Virginia congressional seat. ... Yevgeny “Eugene” Vindman (D) is sending out missives about his “MAGA extremist opponent.” Derrick Anderson (R) is saying his opponent displays “cowardice and lack of leadership.” And with early voting starting Friday, the mudslinging between these two candidates is beginning to flood the airwaves and in-person political forums across the 7th District.

The incumbent, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D), is running for Virginia governor next year instead of seeking reelection in this perennial battleground, which stretches from suburbs outside D.C. to the rural foothills of the Piedmont. The battle between Anderson and Vindman — both Army veterans turned lawyers — is expected to be one of the most closely watched House races in the country.

After facing off at two town hall-style events this week, both nominees are trying to paint themselves as the candidate most in touch with the district while claiming the other is dodging hard questions.

{snip}

By Teo Armus
Teo Armus covers people, issues and local government in Northern Virginia for The Washington Post. He joined The Post as a staff writer in 2019.follow on X @teoarmus

[pat_k]

1. I don't like the sound of that.

"Heating up" sound like it has gotten more competitive. Cook Political currently has it Lean D so more competitive would be a toss up.

[underpants]

2. They've moved this district several times because they thought Abbie could win it

Back when Cantor and then Bratt held it it was basically from the western Henrico suburbs of Richmond fanning out west but avoiding Charlottesville or at least absorbing some of Albemarle County.

Then it ran up the west side of I95 from north of Petersburg to just south of Fredericksburg

[Best_man23]

3. Vindman's campaign has an excellent ground game to GOTV

His campaign frequently (almost daily) posts pictures of visits to Fall festivals, craft fairs, local halls (he even went to a VFW hall last week to talk to veterans) as well as door to door canvassing. We're in VA-7 and planning to early vote in a couple of weeks.

I really thought the Convicted Felon's campaign office would have laser targeted this seat because Vindman's brother blew the whistle on him for the Ukraine shakedown call.