GOP, Democratic leaders plan pre-election blitzes
In a final push before voters go to the polls on Tuesday, the state's top leaders in both parties will embark on aggressive get-out-the-vote trips reaching into far corners of the state.
Fly-arounds are pretty typical in the closing days of elections, but this tour is another reminder of the stakes.
The 140 General Assembly seats are up on Tuesday , but all eyes are on key contests in the Senate, where Republicans are trying to win the majority from Democrats to add to their control of the House of Delegates and governor's mansion.
Starting Saturday, Gov. Bob McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, Speaker of the House William J. Howell, R-Stafford, Senate Minority Leader Thomas K. Norment, Jr., R-James City, former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie, Republican Party of Virginia Chairman Pat Mullins and others are planning 14 stops across three days.
Democrats, meanwhile, are arranging a four-day swing that will at various points involve U.S. Sens. Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner, former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran, former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, former Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th, and others.
The GOP trip starts at 8 a.m. Saturday in Leesburg before the men head to Springfield, Woodbridge, Fredericksburg, Newport News and end the day in Norfolk. The last rally includes Ben Loyola, a Republican who is trying to defeat Sen. Ralph S. Northam, D-Norfolk.
Northam brought Kaine in on Tuesday to help fire up his supporters at a get-out-the-vote event in Norfolk.
Sunday's itinerary for the Republicans includes Charlottesville, Lynchburg and the Danville area. On Monday they visit Roanoke, Rocky Mount, Blacksburg, Bristol and Cedar Bluff.
The Democrats' tour starts Friday in Charlottesville, Campbell County, Lynchburg and Farmville. On Saturday they move to Montgomery County, Pulaski, Wytheville and Marion before on Sunday visiting Ashburn, Manassas Park and Woodbridge, Alexandria.
The trip wraps on Monday with more stops in Northern Virginia, including a rally at George Mason University
