The Canary in the Coal Mine

Want a preview of the 2024 election? Look no further than Virginia in November.

Here in Virginia, we take pride in leading the way. As some have suggested, Virginia often sets the tone for the entire country, thanks in part to our unique odd-year elections that precede national ones. While we shouldn't exaggerate, there's some truth to it.

Virginia is undeniably a purple state. Not too long ago, practical Democrats like us saw Virginia shift from red to blue as Democrats held all statewide offices, from Terry McAuliffe to Ralph Northam, Tim Kaine, and Mark Warner. In 2019, Democrats even gained control of the General Assembly, ushering in a wave of progressive legislation, including important issues like gun control.

In 2021, we were optimistic about Governor McAuliffe's re-election, and we may have grown complacent, thinking the victory was assured. But things took an unexpected turn. Political missteps, fueled by hubris and a few unfortunate remarks from Terry himself, provided Republicans with an opening. Glenn Younkin, Winsome Sears, and Jason Mayores seized the opportunity and triumphed.

Upon closer examination, McAuliffe's gaffe wasn't as controversial as it was made out to be. Most reasonable parents trust that teachers are professionals and should be allowed to do their jobs without undue interference. However, his words became a rallying cry for the MAGA movement, both in Virginia and nationwide. Over the years, they have radicalized issues, bombarding school boards and libraries with divisive ideologies and threats of violence. That seems to be their modus operandi.

The silver lining is that the defeat served as a wake-up call for complacent Democrats. The Supreme Court's decision preserving Roe v. Wade also energized us. Virginia remains the only southern state that hasn't succumbed to restrictive abortion laws. As the title of my essay suggests, the November election in Virginia will be a national litmus test for MAGA and the direction of our country.

Dwayne Yancey, editor of Cardinal News, put it succinctly: "Conservatives and liberals care about very different things. That means the campaigns won't so much be arguing back and forth as they will be talking past one another. Republicans will emphasize inflation and related issues to rally their base, while Democrats will focus on defending abortion rights to energize theirs."

Against this backdrop, Governor Glenn Younkin, whom Terry McAuliffe aptly described as "Trump in a fleece vest," is banking on fervent MAGA voters to secure Senate and House majorities, with an eye on a presidential run in the near future, should Trump falter or end up in jail. We must prevent this outcome. Among other concerns, sensible gun control measures will be at risk of repeal, given MAGA's penchant for gun-centric policies. Younkin may come across as affable, but he won't hesitate to sign away our hard-earned progress.

And of course, we can't forget the threat to our right to choose, whether it's about books or reproductive choices.

In the lead-up to November 7, 2023, I'll be doing everything in my power to ensure that Virginia continues to lead the way, in the right and honorable direction. I invite you to join me.