In the neighboring county of Fairfax, there is a special election for the chairman of the county Board of Supervisors. Snow is falling in northern Virginia, which will probably drive the already low turnout expectations lower. Here in deep-blue Alexandria, there was a recent election for the House of Delegates (the old delegate was Brian Moran, retiring to run for governor this year), and the barely known Republican candidate came within 16 votes of winning.
Why am I telling you this? Well, there will be statewide elections in Virginia this year, and some indications suggest that the Republican party may have some signs of life in it here–or at least that voters are souring on local Democrats a bit. Today might be a key indicator.
Rob Bluey tells me via Twitter, “Low turnout at my polling place for Fairfax County chairman’s race. I was voter 33 at 7:30 this morning. That’s good news for Pat Herrity,” the Republican.
UPDATE: From a reader: “My wife and I were voters 17 & 18 in Bren Mar precinct at 7:45 AM. Herrity would want low turnout in that precinct.” I note that it has stopped snowing in my neck of the woods.