Virginia Governor's Race Turns Into Battle Over Endorsements

VIRGINIA — As the Democratic primary election and Republican nominating convention draw closer, endorsements of candidates for Virginia governor are rolling in from elected officials, labor unions, business organizations and community leaders.

Many candidates seeking the nominations for the two parties are working hard to get endorsements, while other candidates are relying on media outreach, whether through traditional media coverage or social media, to encourage registered voters to pick them for the party nominations.

Early voting in the Democratic Party primary begins in only six weeks, while the Republican Party's nominating convention is May 8, less than two months away. Under Virginia law, Gov. Ralph Northam cannot seek election this year. Virginia governors are not allowed to serve consecutive terms.

Among the Democratic candidates, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe has attracted the largest number of endorsements from elected officials and unions. Polls show the former governor as the current front-runner in the race for the Democratic nomination for governor.

State Sen. Jennifer McClellan (Richmond) and former Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy are also collecting major endorsements from elected officials, community leaders and organizations across the state.

Among Republicans, Sen. Amanda Chase, (Chesterfield), Del. Kirk Cox (Colonial Heights) and businessman Pete Snyder are leading the polls in a crowded field of Republican candidates.

Cox has received the most endorsements of any Republican candidate, including from former Virginia governors Bob McDonnell and George Allen. He also has received endorsements from more than two dozen members of the General Assembly. Synder, a technology investor, also has received endorsements from at least three members of the General Assembly.

Virginia Becomes Trendsetter

In national elections, long-time politicians often do not benefit from endorsements because voters already know who they are and their policy stances.

As a former governor and a major figure in the Democratic Party, McAuliffe has the biggest name recognition in the election, on both the Democratic and Republican sides. But McAuliffe's campaign is not taking any chances, especially with all the changes that have occurred in the state in the last four years.

No longer a politically staid state, Virginia has become a leader, especially in the South, on issues related to racial justice and criminal justice reform.

“I have to admit, as a young man I would never have believed it was possible for Virginia to move in such a strong progressive direction,” Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, told The Guardian.

“Virginia has taught the country and the world that America can change, and sometimes can change rapidly, and in a very progressive direction," said Sabato, the dean of Virginia political observers.

McAuliffe has received endorsements from nearly three dozen members of the General Assembly. He also has attracted support from trade unions and faith leaders. McAuliffe's campaign has made housing, health care and other issues that directly affect ordinary Virginians a high priority.

At the close of this year's General Assembly session where many progressive bills passed, McAuliffe's campaign highlighted the members of the House of Delegates who have chosen to endorse him. Among the legislators announced last week as supporters of McAuliffe were House Democratic Caucus Chair Rip Sullivan, House Finance Committee Chair Vivian Watts, and Delegates Suhas Subramanyam, Schuyler VanValkenburg and Shelly Simonds.

Senate President Pro-Tempore L. Louise Lucas, House Majority Leader Charniele Herring and House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn had previously endorsed the former governor in this year's race.

"I am honored to have so many leaders from across the Commonwealth on our team as we work to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuild a stronger, more equitable Virginia," McAuliffe said in a statement.

Endorsements often provide a comfort level to voters who were already leaning toward a certain candidate. For candidates without widespread name recognition, being able to show support from major figures and groups helps build familiarity and credibility with voters, according to political experts.

Along with endorsements from at least 12 members of the General Assembly, McClellan has received endorsements from Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall, Arlington County Board Member Katie Kristol and Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson.

When McAuliffe officially announced his decision to seek another term as governor, his competitor, Carroll Foy, criticized the former's governor's decision.

"Career politicians like Terry McAuliffe are interested in maintaining the status quo," Carroll Foy said in a statement. "But Virginians are calling for change. They want someone who understands their problems as I do because I've lived them. ... A former political party boss and multi-millionaire, Terry McAuliffe is simply out of touch with everyday Virginians."

In her bid for the Democratic nomination, Carroll Foy has pulled in endorsements from several local officials in Northern Virginia, including Prince William County Supervisors Margaret Angela Franklin and Kenny Boddye and Loudoun County Supervisor Juli Briskman.

In the General Assembly, Carroll Foy's endorsements include Del. Danica Roem of Manassas and Del. Joshua Cole of Stafford. She also is endorsed by Qasim Rashid, the Democratic nominee for the 1st Congressional District in 2020.

Carroll Foy, like McClellan and McAuliffe, also has received endorsements from numerous labor and trade unions across the state.

"I am deeply honored by the diverse coalition of leaders and organizations from across our Commonwealth who have endorsed our campaign, but the support I am most proud of comes from everyday Virginians who share my belief that this is the time for a new leader with clear vision and fresh ideas who is ready to fight for a Virginia that works for working families," Carroll Foy said. "Having run in and won tough races before, I know that it is our people-powered, grassroots movement that is going to power us to victory."

Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, a former federal prosecutor who is also running for governor and is running second behind McAuliffe in at least one poll, has not been receiving endorsements at the rate of McAuliffe, McClellan and Carroll Foy.

Del. Lee Carter, a Democrat who represents the 50th District in the House of Delegates, is not expected to receive many endorsements from elected officials in the state in his bid for the Democratic nomination for governor. The Democratic Party has tried to distance itself from Carter in the past, a fact that could ultimately help Carter who can cast himself as someone who wants to help ordinary Virginians and will not cater to the business interests of the Democratic Party.

Among the groups endorsing Carter is Our Revolution RVA, the Richmond chapter of Our Revolution, a political action organiztion spun off from Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign in 2016 to continue its work. The socialist state lawmaker served as a co-chair of Sanders' campaign in Virginia for 2020 Democratic nomination for president.

Cox Boasts Long List Of Endorsements

Virginia's Republican Party will hold a drive-up convention on Saturday, May 8, at Liberty University in Lynchburg to select its nominees for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general in the Nov. 2 general election.

Democrats, on the other hand, have chosen to hold a government-run primary election where all registered voters, whether Democrat, Republican, or independent, are free to vote, under Virginia law.

The Democratic Party primary takes place on June 8, with voters allowed to cast their ballots at their local voting precincts. Early voting in the Democratic primary is scheduled to begin 45 days before the election on April 24.

Among Republicans, Cox is outpacing the other candidates in attracting endorsements from Republican officeholders and community leaders.

Among Cox's endorsements from Northern Virginia officials is Pat Herrity, Fairfax County supervisor for the Springfield District. His list of endorsements also includes Stafford County Sheriff David P. Decatur.

Along with his endorsements from members of the General Assembly, Snyder has received endorsements from former acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Mark Morgan, Virginia Republican National Committeeman Morton Blackwell, former state Sen. and Mayor of Roanoke Ralph Smith, and former Republican National Committeewoman for Virginia Kathy Hayden.

Glenn Youngkin, a Great Falls businessman who is seeking the Republican nomination, has received endorsements from Aliscia Andrews, who won the Republican nomination in 2020 for the 10th congressional district, eventually losing to incumbent Rep. Jennifer Wexton, a Democrat.

Youngkin also has received endorsements from parents who want schools opened five days week, including Brandon Michon, a Loudoun County parent who won support across the nation for his passionate call for schools in the county to reopen as soon as possible.

Chase, who is leading in certain polls, is unlikely to receive many endorsements from elected Republicans in the state. Earlier this year, Chase was censured by the Virginia Senate over a pattern of behavior that included referring to the insurrectionists who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 as “patriots” and making insulting comments toward the Virginia Capitol Police and the clerk of the Senate.

The vote against Chase was bipartisan, with three Republicans joining the chamber’s 21 Democrats in the censure vote and six Republicans not voting.

Value Of Endorsements?

In 2021, Virginians will also be voting for lieutenant governor and attorney general. Among the Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor is Sean Perryman, an attorney who has worked on Capitol Hill and served as president of the Fairfax County NAACP.

"I don’t think any one endorsement will make or break a candidacy," Perryman told Patch. "But I do believe that endorsements are important because, especially in a statewide race, it shows that you have the support and the buy-in of leaders in that community."

So far, Perryman has received more than 70 endorsements from leaders and groups across the state. On Wednesday, Perryman's campaign announced that Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust had endorsed him. Last week, Perryman's campaign announced the endorsement of Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano, who earlier this year endorsed McAuliffe in the governor's race.

As a Fairfax County resident, Perryman said endorsements are helping him connect with voters in other parts of the state. "We’re trying to reach every part and corner of the Commonwealth," he said.

Generally, when both political and community leaders across the state endorse his campaign, Perryman said it "shows the members of that community that this is a trusted person, that they are competent, that people feel they can do the job."

Many of Virginia’s voter registration offices will be open for voting in the Democratic primary on Friday, April 23 because most offices are not normally open on Saturday. During the early voting period, voters will be able to vote at every locality’s voter registration office. Many localities may also have satellite locations open for voting in addition to their regular voter registration offices. For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website.