Comstock Vs Wexton: Virginia House District 10 Race Heats Up

The showdown between Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock and her Democratic challenger state Sen. Jennifer Wexton for Virginia's 10th congressional district seat has been one of the more closely watched races leading up to the 2018 midterms. Democrats are eyeing the 10th district among others in the effort to win back the majority in the Nov. 6 general election.

Current representative Comstock, was elected in 2014 and is seeking her third term. Some voters already know her competitor Wexton as the state senator for Senate District 33, which encompasses much of Loudoun County and part of western Fairfax County.

The 10th congressional district is considered a swing district. The district includes Clarke, Frederick, and Loudoun Counties, Manassas City, Manassas Park City, Winchester City and parts of Fairfax and Prince William Counties. Republicans have represented the district since 1981.

Six polls conducted thus far show Wexton with a lead over Comstock. The latest poll by The Washington Post shows the strongest lead for—56 percent to 43 percent among 430 likely voters. Interestingly, 44 percent of Comstock's supporters are more motivated by opposing Wexton; 38 percent are more motivated by their support for Comstock. For Wexton supporters, 44 percent are more motivated by opposing Comstock; 25 percent more are more motivated by support for Wexton.

Comstock rose up to the challenge of her swing district before. Comstock was re-elected in 2016 by a six-point margin, the same year her district voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump by a 10-point margin. In 2012, it went for Republican Mitt Romney over Barack Obama by a 1.1 margin.

Comstock and Wexton participated in one debate on Sept. 21 in Loudoun County. Given the proximity of the 10th district to DC and the abundance of federal workers, the popularity of President Trump has played into the race. Wexton criticized the administration directly and members that support him: "We have an administration in Washington that is constantly assaulting many of the values that Americans hold dear," she said in an opening statement at the debate.

Wexton expressed disapproval for the tax bill, which she called the "Comstock-Trump tax scam," and inaction on immigration reform. Wexton hasn't been shy about tying Comstock to the president throughout the race—one ad refers to her opponent as Barbara "Trumpstock."

Comstock has distanced herself from Trump at times. She spoke out against Trump's travel ban, Republicans' repeal-and-replace the Affordable Care Act bill and the proposed elimination of a pay raise for federal workers. FiveThirtyEight, a political analysis website, notes Comstock has voted in line with Trump 97.8 percent, including on Republicans' tax reform bill.

At the debate Comstock said "this election is about results versus the resistance." She touted her support for the tax cuts, votes against government shutdowns. Wexton brought up her own role in passing Medicaid expansion in Virginia and support for gun control measures as a state senator.

On the issues

Here's a look at the candidates' stances on three key issues, as provided by their campaigns:

Economy

Comstock touts tax cuts as a boost for the economy: "Congresswoman Comstock supported the $600 billion tax relief package that was signed into law which helps middle class families and makes the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the American Opportunity Tax Credit permanent."

Wexton emphasizes fair wages and investments for career and vocational training: "In Congress, Jennifer will support increasing wages and salaries, establishing paid family and medical leave programs nationwide, revitalizing America’s middle-class, protecting and expanding workers’ rights, making affordable housing more accessible to Americans, reining in Wall Street, and supporting America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs."

Health Care

Comstock's campaign focuses on healthcare reform efforts rather than attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. She mentions her support for the 21st Century Cures Act, she cosponsored: "This legislation puts our country on a path toward working on earlier detection, better treatment, and faster cures for chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and more. The 21st Century Cures Act was signed into law on December 13th, 2016."

On the opioid crisis: her campaign states, "Congresswoman Comstock recognizes the heroin problem in our community and has worked with federal, state, and local officials on the regional Heroin Operations Team with Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman and the Shenandoah Valley Opioid Taskforce with Winchester Police Chief Kevin Sanzenbacher."

Wexton believes health care is a right: "In the State Senate, she has fought alongside her fellow Democrats to expand Medicaid to 300,000 hardworking Virginians and bring over $10 billion back to Virginia’s economy. She has fought for a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions and to more easily access reproductive, family planning, and contraception services. She has also been a champion for mental health reform and combating the heroin and opioid crisis in Virginia."

Transportation

Comstock says she's supported solutions for local transportation issues: "Congresswoman Comstock cosponsored the bipartisan five-year transportation bill that was signed into law and provides for more funding for infrastructure without raising taxes and has provisions written by the Congresswoman focusing on relieving traffic congestion and using technology for better traffic solutions. This legislation also includes reforms demanding more accountability and transparency from Metro."

Wexton says she's worked on traffic congestion and Metro: "She has focused on transportation solutions as a member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, and has worked to bring resources to her district to relieve congestion, fix problems with Metro, and advocate for smart growth in Loudoun and Fairfax counties. She has introduced legislation that would give localities more control over, and funding for transportation projects in their jurisdictions. Jennifer opposed tolls on I-66 and repeatedly carried legislation to reduce the tolls on the Dulles Greenway."

Images: Offices of Barbara Comstock and Jennifer Wexton