Can Vindman learn from Trone's loss
With Trone’s loss as an example, Vindman will have to do more than massively outraise other candidates
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The rundown
VA-07 Democratic candidate Eugene Vindman will have to coalesce enough support from the party faithful to earn the nomination. Trone was unable to do so in Maryland despite a large cash advantage. Take a look at analysis on his situation.
Subramanyam released a new TV ad highlighting the endorsement he received from VA-10 incumbent, Rep. Wexton.
With Trone’s loss as an example, Vindman will have to do more than massively outraise other candidates
Nomination contests often become competitions centered around networking with party insiders and demonstrating sufficient fundraising ability ahead of a potential candidacy in the general election. Typically, those two occurrences coincide—but not always.
Wealthy outside candidates can appear out of thin air and occasionally gain steam, like Glenn Youngkin in 2021. Still, more often than not, they spend a boatload of money to finish well below the candidate with an established presence in the district.
In VA-07, Democratic candidate and fundraising frontrunner Eugene Vindman jumped into the race for the open nomination this year. He is well-known nationally for his family’s involvement in Donald Trump’s impeachment and has done very well fundraising.
However, he is still deemed as an outsider by some in VA-07 for not being heavily entrenched within the district before announcing his candidacy.
“I’m sorry - who is this? I’ve never seen this person in our area. At. All,” tweeted Del. Josh Cole, D-Stafford, when Vindman announced his candidacy.
Vindman is running against multiple Democrats for the nomination—two of whom have been elected to the General Assembly representing parts of the district: Del. Brianna Sewell, D-Prince William, and former Del. Elizabeth Guzman, D-Prince William.
Vindman has raised $3.7 million, compared to Guzman’s $204,979 and Sewell’s $172,724, according to VPAP.
Multiple other Democratic candidates from the area are also seeking the nomination, which could benefit Vindman if they split the local insider vote share.
In Maryland, Angela Alsobrooks, who leads the state’s second-largest county, ran against Total Wine owner and Congressman David Trone for the Democratic nomination in the United States Senate race.
Trone, who has a large personal net worth, massively outspent Alsobrooks, spending $51 million compared to Alsobooks’ $5.9 million.
Money doesn’t always translate into a victory, however. Alsobrooks won the nomination contest by more than 10 points.
While there are some similarities between Maryland’s Senate race and VA-07, Trone, a very wealthy individual, was painted as out of touch with the common Maryland voter experiences and failed to bring in the Democratic faithful to support his campaign.
Vindman’s background is more grounded than Trone’s.
He served in the Army for 25 years, eventually earning a law degree and working his way up to the National Security Council. While he was on the NSC, his twin brother, Alexander, also on the NSC, listened to Trump’s phone call with Ukraine’s president when he attempted to extort information about Joe Biden. Alexander and Eugene reported the call together, which resulted in Trump’s second impeachment hearing.
After Trump was acquitted, he fired the Vindmans.
This is a cause that Democrats could rally behind, especially in Virginia, where Trump lost in 2016 and 2020.
But in order to rally the general election voters in November, Vindman has to first secure the Democratic nomination.