Candidates in tight congressional districts face questions about the top of the ticket
In VA-02 an VA-07, candidates have to face the nationalization issue with controversy at the top of the ticket.
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The rundown
Candidates in VA-02 and VA-07, two hotly contested districts, have to face questions about the top of the ticket — drowning out their ability to message on local issues that would impact the voters in their area. Virginia Scope asked the candidates in VA-02 and VA-07 where they stand on the presidential nominees for their party.
Nominees in tight congressional districts face questions about the top of the ticket
Donald Trump and Joe Biden are the most polarizing figures in American politics today. The baggage they are bringing into the November election is making it tough to stay on message for candidates down the ballot looking to win races in tight congressional districts. This is no different than elections during presidential years historically. Still, one nominee being a recently crowned convicted felon and the other’s viability as the nominee being questioned this late in the game are unique issues, to say the least.
Trump’s troubles are well known, and the list is too long to even begin to delve into, with being a convicted felon due to attempts to influence an election and an insurrection attempt by his supporters topping the list. He also lost Virginia to Biden by 10 points in 2020, and his election in 2016 led to a blue wave across the commonwealth in the following years, ushering in big Democratic wins at the state level.
For Biden, it is not a question of his character but his state of mind and whether he is fit to serve another four years after a dismal performance in the first debate. The apprehension within the Democratic party towards him being the nominee also comes from fear of a weakened candidate losing to Trump in November, and not so much a dislikening for the man himself or his policies.
In tight races, like VA-02 and VA-07, nominees must walk a tightrope. Either way, the constant debate over Trump’s criminal activity and Biden’s viability as a candidate knocks candidates off message and distracts from local issues.
“This whole ‘should I stay or should I go’ debate is a debacle for Democrats,” said Richard Meagher, a political science professor at Randolph Macon College. “It makes it that much harder for the Virginia Congressional candidates to make the case in what will surely be nationalized elections - this will not be decided by local issues.”
But even as Democrats grapple with the conversations about Biden’s viability, Republicans still have to deal with the many issues that come with Trump.
“Still, the dynamics for Republicans are similar to the Democrats - a very flawed top of the ticket makes it very difficult for them to navigate,” Meagher said. “Kiggans so far has managed to split the difference in her party - seeming a ‘reasonable’ Republican without alienating the Trumpist base in her district. But as we get closer to the election and Trump's crimes become more salient, that will prove harder to do.”