This will certainly be a grudge match. McDonnell and Deeds were opponents in the 2005 campaign for Virginia Attorney General. Deeds lost by 323 votes. Deeds is determined not to see this type of loss again. Speaking at an event in Loudoun earlier this year, Deeds portrayed this earlier campaign defeat as a positive, saying that he knew exactly what to expect from McDonnell, and that he knows how to campaign against him.
It is also likely to be a race that challenges traditional conventions about Republican and Democratic strongholds. A longtime resident of Bath County, Deeds was successful in his primary campaign largely through the perception that while Democrats will likely win in Northern Virginia anyway, a candidate like Deeds can attract voters in the southwest and the rural areas of the Commonwealth. Alternatively, Republican strategists have a similar strategy in regard to McDonnell’s appeal in Northern Virginia. This cross-based regional strategy will likely be complicated by the decision of both candidates to focus on moderate issues.
Deeds is a somewhat unlikely winner of the three-way primary. In early assessments, the race was considered to be a toss-up between Deeds and Alexandria’s Brian Moran. With the entry of a third candidate, former Democratic National Committee Chair Terry McAuliffe, the race descended into a footrace between the three, with McAuliffe being given the edge due to his fundraising skills and national presence. Depending on the source, Deeds was considered tied for front-runner or trailing behind in the primary.
However, Deeds gained significant ground over the past few weeks, first because of his selection for the endorsement of the Washington Post. The selection of a rural candidate over either of the suburban choices made many voters reexamine Deeds and his campaign. This is particularly true of those who believe in a regional approach. Deeds also benefited from accusations of bribery against McAuliffe by former third-party presidential candidate Ralph Nader, and an exactingly implemented final media push by the Deeds campaign.
Lieutenant Governor
Wagner’s performance on economic issues during the Warner and Kaine administrations gave her a wide range of support and endorsements—making her the front runner in the race from an early stage in the campaign.
Attorney General
After the selection of the Republican ticket at the recent state convention, Bob McDonnell claimed that his ticket was the most experienced ticket in recent memory. With the nomination of Deeds (who has held public office since 1987) and Wagner (emerging from seven years in statewide appointed positions in the Kaine and Warner administrations), the fall election could well be called the “War of Experience.” Attorney General candidate Steve Shannon has been a Delegate since 2004.
The Vote
Turnout for the Democratic primary was notably low, likely worsend by the serious thunderstorms in the area. At 5 p.m., Loudoun Registrar Judy Brown said, “Turnout has been very low, with some precincts reporting fewer than 100 voters, and the larger precincts in the 100s,” said Brown.
While turnout was notably low, the preference of candidates was clear given the results of the primary vote.
Loudoun County Results
(71 of 71 precincts)
Governor
McAuliffe / 2,414 / 30.36%
Moran / 1,802 / 22.66%
Deeds / 3,733 / 46.96%
Turnout: 4.5% active voters, 4.35% all voters
Lt.Governor
Wagner / 5,591 / 78.11%
Signer / 1,244 / 17.4%
Browerbank / 322 / 4.49%
Turnout: 4% of active voters, 3.9% of all voters
Virginia
(93.37% Reporting)
Governor
McAuliffe / 76,870 / 26.75%
Moran / 69,389 / 24.15%
Deeds / 141,051 / 49.09%
Turnout 5.8% Active Voters, 5.66% All Voters
Lt. Governor
Wagner /196,638 / 74.47%
Signer / 55,521 / 21.02%
Browerbank /11,881 / 4.49%
Turnout 5.23% Active Voters, 5.2% All Voters
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