Former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat who also served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, shared insights on the competitiveness of battleground states, particularly focusing on Virginia. McAuliffe highlighted the significant shift in Virginia's political landscape, noting that in the 2016 election, Hillary Clinton narrowly won the state with 212,000 votes, while Joe Biden secured a more decisive victory with 451,000 votes in 2020.
McAuliffe emphasized that Virginia, traditionally a Democratic stronghold, remains firmly in the party's favor. He attributed this to the state's large population of federal workers, who were negatively impacted by President Trump's 35-day government shutdown. McAuliffe pointed out that Trump's callous attitude towards federal workers during the shutdown has not been forgotten by Virginians employed by the federal government.
Furthermore, McAuliffe highlighted the strong anti-Trump sentiment among Virginia's military community, which is home to numerous military installations, including the Pentagon and the largest naval base in the world. McAuliffe cited Trump's disparaging remarks about military personnel, including calling them 'losers' and 'suckers,' as a key factor driving military voters away from the President.
McAuliffe expressed confidence in the Democratic Party's prospects in Virginia, citing the extensive campaign infrastructure in place with 110 staff members and 26 offices across the state. In contrast, McAuliffe noted that Trump's campaign presence in Virginia is minimal, indicating a lack of competitive effort in the state.
Despite the positive outlook for Democrats in Virginia, McAuliffe acknowledged the importance of continued resource allocation to ensure a successful outcome in the state. Overall, McAuliffe's assessment pointed towards a strong Democratic performance in Virginia, driven by support from federal workers and the military community, positioning the state as a likely win for the party in the upcoming election.
