Vol. 42, No 8 www.arlingtondemocrats.org August 2017 Latest poll shows gubernatorial The GOP may sue this conservative candidate race is now a dead heat: 44-44 over the The latest statewide poll shows a dead heat in 46 percent had no opinion. Gillespie was rated fa- the gubernatorial election with each major party vorably by 36 percent and unfavorably by 20 per- design of candidate drawing 44 percent support. cent with 44 percent having no opinion. his yard The poll, taken by Monmouth University in The poll found substantial regional differences. signs. New Jersey, surveyed 502 Virginians from July 20 Northam led in northern Virginia by 13 percentage to 23. points and in the eastern areas by 9 percentage points. The poll found only 3 percent support for Lib- Gillespie led by 2 percentage points in the center, a See Page ertarian Cliff Hyra and 1 percent for write-in candi- statistically meaningless difference, but by a whop- 5. dates, with 9 percent still undecided. That 9 per- ping 18 percentage points in the western areas. cent is enough to swing the election either way and The only other statewide poll published so far points to the need for a savvy campaign. was taken just after the primary by Quinnipiac Uni- As for issues, 37 percent put health care and versity and showed Northam with a comfortable health insurance as one of their top issues, which lead 47-39. would seem to play into the hands of Northam, a The race is expected to be an intense one with This Confederate-loving physician by profession. Second was jobs at 25 per- contributions rolling in from all over the country Republican wants to run cent followed by since there are only the economy and two gubernatorial a ‘vicious’ education at 20 elections this year, campaign percent each. in Virginia and against Asked their New Jersey. “general impres- Gillespie sig- Tim sion” of both can- naled an early start Kaine. didates, voters to the campaign rated them simi- when he began run- larly. Northam was ning TV ads in ma- See Page viewed favorably jor media markets 6. by 38 percent and July 26, a very early unfavorably by just start for campaign 16 percent, while NORTHAM GILLESPIE spots. Here are some ways to help out We have some interest- The campaign is in FULL SWING right now. Arlington voters to turn out to offset all those down- ing numbers for you You don’t have to wait for Labor Day! We need state Republicans and win the statewide races! With- about folks to staff tables at events, make calls and knock out exaggeration, Arlington can provide the margin Virginia on doors. of victory for all of the statewide races — but we need your help to do it. voters. Canvass and Call for Democrats in Arlington We have multiple canvass and phone bank op- The Coordinated Campaign (the statewide ef- portunities each week. Please view the full See Page fort) is ramping up BIG TIME, and we schedule at www.arlingtondemocrats.org/start- need YOUR help talking to voters in Arlington! making-difference-now/, and check back regularly 8. Why spend your valuable volunteer time in reliably for updates. blue Arlington? There are huge numbers of Demo- cratic voters in Arlington, but an astonishing num- “Beyond Arlington” – Flipping House Seats ber of them do not even know that there is an im- Join the Beyond Arlington Program and help portant election this year. Democrats need these continued on page three ACDC Voice, August 2017, Page 2

Report from Chairman Kip Malinosky Fighting for health care The fight for the needed essential care and were willing to wait among white Americans has fallen by 4.4 per- (ACA) is the defining legislative fight of our hours or even days to receive it. They needed centage points under the Affordable Care Act. time. This is a life-or-death issue. Without glasses, dental work and many other treat- But it has declined 7.7 percentage points health insurance, people are more likely to die. ments, but could not get the care they needed among African Americans and 9.5 percent- Virginia still has 747,000 residents without elsewhere because they didn’t qualify for age points among Hispanic Americans.” health insurance, but in the last five years and couldn’t pay for insurance. States that expanded Medicaid, whether West 129,000 people have gained insurance, ac- Governor Terry McAuliffe, Lt Governor Virginia or Michigan, have seen greater gains cording to an Urban Institute study. Expand- , Candidate for Lt Governor in coverage than states like Virginia, that have ing Medicaid is the easiest way to ensure an- and Attorney General Mark not. Medicaid expansion would not only be other 400,000 Virginians get health insurance, Herring all visited the RAM clinic. They lis- of great help in , but also but this is only if the ACA is not decimated at tened to patients and spoke about the need to Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia. the federal level by Republicans. protect the Affordable Care Act and expand Finally, fighting for health care is not just Republicans in Washington and Rich- Medicaid. about health care itself, but also about jobs. mond have done almost everything they can Doctor Northam also took some time to An analysis by the George Washington to deny or take away coverage from millions directly treat some patients. McAuliffe invited University’s Milken Institute School of Pub- of Americans. For seven years in the U.S. Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell to lic Health and the Commonwealth Fund found Congress, Republicans have taken more than join him at the clinic, but McConnell declined. that a million jobs in health care could be lost 60 votes repealing the Affordable Care Act. This is a county that voted for Trump by nearly if the Affordable Care Act is repealed. Fur- For three years in the Virginia General As- 80 percent, and yet more Democratic elected thermore, the ACA helped lower the bank- sembly, Republicans have rejected Demo- officials attended than Republicans. ruptcy rate in the United States by half, ac- cratic efforts to expand Medicaid. These votes While the RAM clinic vividly demon- cording to a study by Consumer Reports. A have consequences. strates that the need for better health care is study by the University of Michigan found This is clearly the case in Wise County, still desperate for thousands, it is also clear that Medicaid expansion alone helped create Virginia, where last week thousands of Ameri- that the Affordable Care Act has helped mil- 30,000 jobs in Michigan and paid for itself. cans came for free medical care through the lions, especially minorities. According to Vox All of this progress is at great risk. We Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic. People Reporter Sarah Kliff, “The uninsured rate must do all we can to defeat the Republican repeal efforts in Washington, elect Ralph Northam, Justin Fairfax, Mark Herring and a Democratic House of Delegates, and expand Jerry Botland Medicaid in Virginia. Lives depend on it. Computer Consulting Troubleshoot and resolve computer and Weekends of Action computer related problems. Perform upgrades, set-up wireless routers and print servers. have begun in state Transfer old files, address book and emails On Saturday, July 29, and Sunday, July 30, the Democratic Party of Virginia (DPVA) from an old computer to a new one. launched its first statewide Weekend of Ac- Phone: (202) 744-0542 — [email protected] tion of the general election. Community leaders, grassroots organiz- ers and volunteers canvassed local neighbor- hoods and held phone banks to urge Virgin- ians to register to vote and vote for Demo- crats up and down the ballot in November. Published monthly by the Activities were launched in many lo- Arlington County Democratic Committee cales, including Arlington, Alexandria, Falls 2001 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite #604, Arlington VA 22202 Church, Mount Vernon, Reston and Manassas. Mailing address: P.O. Box 7132, Arlington VA 22207 On Sunday, Democratic gubernatorial Tel: (703) 528-8588 nominee Ralph Northam opened three new http://www.arlingtondemocrats.org organizing offices in Norfolk, Hampton Roads Chair: Kip Malinosky — [email protected] and Virginia Beach. During the stops, Editor-in-Chief: Warren L. Nelson —(703) 243-7867 (h), warnelson@.com Northam discussed the need for the Views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the ACDC commonwealth’s next governor to defend the unless expressly approved by an appropriate committee resolution economic security, health and equal rights of Copyright ©2017, ACDC, All Rights Reserved all Virginians. ACDC Voice, August 2017, Page 3

Here are some Next Monthly Meeting ways to help All Dems Invited Wednesday, August 2, 7 p.m. the campaign NRECA Building, 4301 Wilson Blvd continued from page one Corner of North Taylor and Wilson, just east of Glebe & Wilson Free parking under building, enter from Taylor Street win some House of Delegate seats for the Democratic candidates. Seventeen House of Delegate districts currently held by Republi- Get up to date on the plans already underway for cans voted for in 2016; the the fall campaign. The feature of our meeting this exact number needed to win a Democratic majority in the House. month will be the operations of the Joint Campaign We are phone banking every Tuesday (the countywide effort) and the Coordinated and Thursday evening at ACDC HQ from Campaign (the statewide effort) to win elections 6:00-8:30 p.m, You can RSVP at www.arlingtondemocrats.org/start-making- from the state house to the school house. difference-now/. We are also canvassing every weekend for our adopted candidates in Prince William, Loudoun and Fairfax Counties. Our Adopt- a-District volunteer form is at www.arlingtondemocrats.org/start-making- difference-now/ the year. Many of these events take place in with this Google Form at These are all amazing candidates in very the lead-up to the general election in Novem- www.arlingtondemocrats.org/start-making- winnable districts. Direct voter contact ber, including: difference-now/ through phone banking and canvassing is cru- August 18-20 – Arlington County Fair cial to our success. Most importantly, these August 31 – GMU Law Student Welcome activities are easy and fun. Don’t wait to get Event started, just sign up today! Other questions September 9 – Rosslyn Jazz Festival Arl delegates at can be directed to Steve Baker September 16 – Nauck Civic Pride Day at [email protected]. September 23 – Clarendon Day 2nd Sat. event September 23 – Prio Bangla Street Festival Staff Arlington Festivals and Farmers Mar- October 15 – Latino American Festival The Second Saturday Breakfast has in- kets We need many volunteers at these events vited all four delegates representing parts of Arlington Democrats have a table at lo- to register voters and provide critical infor- Arlington to speak at the breakfast, Saturday, cal festivals and farmers markets throughout mation about the upcoming election. Signup August 12. The Coordinated Campaign will launch a canvass into the community immediately after the breakfast concludes. It will be no surprise that the breakfast will be held at the Busboys and Poets in Shirlington and will begin at 8:30 a.m. Nor Bumper Sticker will it be a surprise that we remind one and all to bring cash with which to settle up the of the month breakfast bill. ACDC Voice, August 2017, Page 4 Chris Bolling Donkey Ears named DPVA Listening to the doings exec. director of Arlington’s Dems as overheard by Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman Susan Swecker has announced Dan Steen and Mädi Green that DPVA veteran Chris Bolling is returning to party headquarters as the party’s executive director. Did they run upside down? Precinct Ops Vice Chair John Katcher and “We’re thrilled that Chris is returning to wife Jillian recently vacationed way down under in Antarctica. While DPVA as our executive director,” said down there, Jillian completed a marathon, meaning she has now run Swecker. “Chris is a deeply-respected veteran marathons on all seven continents. Josh did his part by completing a of Virginia politics, and the party will be in half-marathon, which he described as his “first (and only).” On return- good hands under his leadership during such ing to warmth in Arlington, Josh was sworn in as president of the a pivotal year for Virginia Democrats.” Bolling said, “Democrats are well-poised Arlington County Bar Association for a three-year term. to win three statewide elections and take back Family recognition: Barbara Kanninen has been elected chair of the the House of Delegates, and I will give ev- Arlington School Board for the coming year. And her husband, Kevin erything I have to ensure that we win races Wolf, has been honored by WorldECR, the journal of export controls both up and down the ballot. My other priori- and sanctions, by being named Export Control Practitioner of the Year. ties include building and supporting a strong After years dealing with export controls in the Obama Administration base of party volunteers and activists, as well as assistant secretary of commerce, Wolf recently joined the Akin as continuing the work of my predecessor to Gump law firm. ensure that DPVA remains a welcoming and Family rivalry: Former candidate for County Board Peter Fallon‘s five- inclusive environment.” Bolling will also focus on ensuring that year-old son recently fell in a water gun fight and cut his eyelid. While a strong infrastructure remains in place be- awaiting for the anesthetic to take effect before stitches at Virginia tween election cycles at DPVA. Hospital Center, Peter reports that eight-year-old sister was mightily Bolling served as DPVA’s deputy execu- supportive by commenting repeatedly on how “disgusting” her bro tive director in 2016, and has spent the last looked and “how much it will hurt” to have stitches. In the end, decade working on major Democratic cam- modern medical science came to the rescue as Andrew didn’t have to paigns, including those of Governor Terry have to go under the needle, but had his wound “glued” instead. McAuliffe, U.S. Sen. , U.S. Sen. Lawyerly recognition: Former ACDC Chair Mike Lieberman has been Mark Warner, President , and presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. He most named by the website Law360 as one of ’s “Rising Stars”—a recently served as the political director for listing of notable lawyers under 40. Wife Dara says she awaiting R a l p h Law360’s still-to-come list of “Dreamiest Lawyers.” Northam’s pri- Keeping tabs on the prez: Rep. has introduced legislation to mary cam- bar the U.S. government from renting rooms at any of ’s paign. hotels, saying, “Trump should not be allowed to line his or his family’s A native pockets with taxpayer dollars.” V i r g i n i a n , Stat of the month: For numbers fans, the statewide Democratic turnout Bolling is a graduate of in the June primaries was 50 percent higher than the GOP turnout. Virginia Com- Threat recognition: Noah Habeeb, former president of the Yorktown m o n w e a l t h High Young Dems and son of Yorktown Precinct Captain Mark University. Habeeb, was recently denied entry to Israel. In fact, he was not even allowed to board a Lufthansa flight at Dulles headed for Frankfurt on his way to Tel Aviv with an interfaith delegation. Some the others in his group—two Jews, one Muslim and one Christian—were also prevented from flying. Noah, who describes himself as a Jewish Chris American student activist, wrote he was going to advocate for Palestin- Bolling ian human rights. He wrote that he was appalled that Israeli officials saw such “a small fry” as himself as “an existential threat.” ACDC Voice, August 2017, Page 5 Careful what you put on your yard sign! The Republican National Committee of having a trademark that’s just an image is press discussion of topics of substantial pub- (RNC) is threatening to sue a Virginia inde- you can convey the notion of Republican lic interest.” pendent candidate for trademark infringement without actually using the word Republican.” Cebula, a retired Air Force officer, has for using an elephant logo on his yard signs. The RNC would likely seek an injunction if clashed with Tea Party Republicans over his The target of this GOP anger is Cebula refuses to comply with its letter, he willingness to accept higher taxes. Spotsylvania County Supervisor Greg Cebula, said. Cebula voted earlier this year to adver- who proclaimed himself an “independent con- The RNC has fought the use of its el- tise a 2-cent increase to the real estate tax rate servative” after losing the GOP re-nomina- ephant logo before. In 2008, the organization of 85 cents per $100 of assessed value. The tion for re-election, apparently for not being demanded that a web-based T-shirt company proposed increase failed after four of the seven sufficiently rightwing. stop using the symbol on its products, some supervisors voted against it. RNC attorney Nathan Groth sent Cebula of which were critical of the GOP, according The Free Lance-Star said party Chair a cease-and-desist letter in July that calls the to . The company initially refused to Swanson has repeatedly spoken out against supervisor’s use of the elephant “deceptive comply, with its attorney referring to the de- tax increases, saying at a meeting last year and unauthorized… [and] is likely to lead in- mand as an “abuse of trademark law to sup- that the “power to tax is the power to destroy.” dividuals to believe that the RNC has autho- rized, sponsored, approved, endorsed, or pro- vided financial support to your committee, which it has not.” The letter includes a photo of an “Elect Greg Cebula” yard sign picturing a white el- ephant with three blue stars across its back. The RNC’s elephant is identical, although it is blue and red with three white stars. Cebula received the Spotsylvania Re- publican Committee’s nomination in 2013 and won the supervisor seat that year. But last May, he lost re-nomination to Debbie Curcie at a GOP mass meeting, a form of a local con- vention, on a 64-38 vote. Afterward, Cebula announced he would run for re-election as an “independent con- servative.” Spotsylvania Republican Committee Chairwoman Dale Swanson, who has clashed with Cebula, sent The Free Lance–Star of Fredericksburg a copy of the RNC’s letter. She did not say who reported the signs to the RNC, but the implication was clear. ZAP! — This is the yard sign that offends the national GOP. The national parties hold the trademark rights to their respective logos, so only they can threaten infringement suits, not local par- ties. Groth, the RNC attorney, asked Cebula to sign a form stating he will refrain from us- ing the organization’s intellectual property. If Cebula does not agree to those terms, Groth wrote, “The RNC will be forced to take such action as it deems necessary to protect its pro- prietary rights.” University of Richmond law professor Jim Gibson, who specializes in trademark-in- fringement law,”told The Free Lance-Star the RNC probably has a solid case against Cebula. GOP candidates, he said, are technically the party’s “products” in the political market- place. “One has to think the reason he’s using it is that he wants to suggest a connection that isn’t there,” said Gibson. “The whole point ACDC Voice, August 2017, Page 6 Kaine opponent plans ‘vicious’ campaign With the Senate election 15 months supports President Trump’s agenda.” away, Sen. Tim Kaine has put together a cam- Kaine’s new staffer, Jenny Nadicks- paign team heavy with veterans of the bernd, responded, “Right out of the gate, Clinton-Kaine campaign of last fall. is more focused on name-call- Kaine named his team a week after GOP ing than improving Virginians’ lives.” firebrand Corey Stewart announced he will Stewart said he’d “love to have [Trump] seek to oppose Kaine with a “vicious, ruth- or any members of the family” out with him less” campaign geared to supporting President on the campaign trail, as he believes Trump’s Trump’s agenda. miserable approval ratings in Virginia are sure Keren Dongo, a former aide in Kaine’s to turn around in the coming months. Senate office who last year served as deputy Stewart said he will forcefully support state director for Clinton’s Virginia campaign, Trump’s plan to build a wall along the border will be Kaine’s campaign manager. with Mexico. Stewart first made a statewide Jenny Nadicksbernd, Kaine’s finance di- name for himself a decade ago by vocally as- rector for his 2012 Senate campaign who went sailing undocumented immigrants. on to direct his Common Ground PAC, will Stewart’s announcement did not draw be in charge of fundraising. any wave of enthusiasm from GOP leaders in Ian Sams, a former Clinton campaign the commonwealth. The announcement was staffer who most recently worked as a spokes- largely greeted with silence. Queried by The man for former Rep. Tom Perriello’s Demo- Washington Post, former GOP Lieutenant cratic gubernatorial campaign, will serve as Governor shook his head and communications director. rolled his eyes. “Corey Stewart will be out Rounding out the team are research di- there saying and doing ridiculous things that rector Megan Apper, a former Buzzfeed News KAINE make the party look bad and put Republican political reporter who last year worked on the . . . ready for GOP candidates in a terrible position. This is re- campaign of New Hampshire Sen. Maggie ally a nightmare for the Republican Party,” Hassan, and digital director Jessalyn Reid, percent. Trump lost the November election Bolling said. who handled Clinton’s digital strategy in Vir- in the commonwealth, winning just 44.4 per- Stewart is not expected to get a free ride ginia. cent of the Virginia vote. to the GOP nomination next year. Former In a statement, Kaine said, “I wake up Stewart announced his candidacy at his presidential candidate Carly Fiorina, Trump- every day excited to go to work for Virginia Woodbridge home, where he eschewed supporting radio host and re- families in the Senate, and I’ll keep working Virginia’s by-partisan tradition of courteous tiring Del. Jimmie Massie from Henrico with both Democrats and Republicans to build politicking by pledging to run a “vicious, ruth- County have all said they are thinking of run- economic opportunity and protect health care less campaign to dethrone” Kaine. He said ning. There is speculation Rep. Dave Brat of for all Virginians while this exceptional team he believes the state’s Republicans are eager the 7th District may run, and many analysts lays the groundwork for our successful cam- for a nominee who isn’t “stuffy.” suspect Rep. Barbara Comstock, beleaguered paign.” “The era of the kinder, gentler Republi- in the anti-Trump 10th District to the west of Kaine announced the staff list a week can is over,” Stewart told reporters, mocking Arlington, may decide she has a better chance after Corey Stewart, chairman of the Prince the words in 2000 of Republican George W. trying to move up to the Senate. William County Board of Supervisors and a Bush. “I’ll be working to turn the Republi- Susan Swecker, chair of the Democratic Trump-brand Republican who almost won the can Party to the right and supporting the Party of Virginia, wrote in a statement that GOP nomination for governor in June, be- president’s conservative agenda.” Kaine is “everything Corey Stewart isn’t: a came the first GOP candidate to officially This will be Stewart’s third effort at state- thoughtful, service-oriented leader that Vir- announce a run for Kaine’s seat. wide office since being elected to the Prince ginia can be proud of.” The Republicans will choose their nomi- William Board of Supervisors in 2003. In “Corey Stewart is even more extreme nee in a primary next June, which is not the 2013, he lost a convention vote to be the GOP than Donald Trump,” Swecker wrote. “Corey most favorable atmosphere for a far-right can- lieutenant governor nominee to a man even has completely ignored the needs of families didate like Stewart. farther to his right. And in June, the Minne- in Prince William County to instead spend his In his announcement, Stewart called sota native lost the GOP gubernatorial primary time name-calling, bashing immigrants and Kaine an “obedient servant to Hillary Clinton by a mere 1.1 percentage points with a cam- re-litigating the Civil War. When he rarely and Barack Obama” and “the leading obstruc- paign that ended up focused on the need to turns his attention to the county he was elected tionist against Trump’s America First agenda,” defend Confederate memorials. to represent, he calls his colleagues suggesting a plan to try to win the Senate seat “Tim Kaine wakes up every morning ‘slimeballs’ and pushes an anti-immigrant, on Trump’s coattails, which most Republicans with a blind hatred towards the president and backwards agenda that has left working fami- view as a weak basis for a campaign, espe- is so focused on taking down the President of lies behind. The last thing Virginians need in cially in Virginia. the United States that he’s not focused on the the Senate is a rubber stamp for President Trump won the Virginia GOP presiden- true needs of Virginians and other Ameri- Trump. We need a senator who will put work- tial primary last year, but drew only 35 per- cans,” Stewart said. “But clearly there’s an ing and middle class Virginians first, and that’s cent of the vote to Sen. ’s 22 appetite out there for a Republican fighter who Tim Kaine.” ACDC Voice, August 2017, Page 7 Help elect Arlington’s grandkid! Proud grandma Vivian Kallen and the entire Arlington Delegation to the General Assembly are sponsoring a fundraising recep- tion to support Vivian’s granddaughter, Ali- cia Kallen, in her fight to win election to the House of Delegates this fall. Alicia is running in District 1, which is the far southwestern tip of the commonwealth, including the Cumberland Gap and Big Stone Gap. Alicia is aiming to upend Republican incumbent Terry Kilgore, which will be a tough and demanding race. But Kilgore is out of practice; he has had no opposition for 10 years! The reception will be held Saturday, August 26, from 6-8 pm, at The Arlington Arts Center. Alicia works at a community health fa- cility and witnesses the human toll that the incumbent’s indifference to the need for Med- icaid expansion and more health facilities makes in people’s lives. Recent articles in have highlighted the suffering of the citizens of Wise County. ”We are a proud but underserved people,” said Kallen, “and someone has to stand up for our needs.” Alicia’s grandmother, Vivian Kallen, ran for the House from Arlington back in the 20th Century. Her father, Greg Kallen, was elected Commonwealth’s Attorney in Wise County and has remained a fixture in Wise County Democratic politics for years.

BACK TO STRUMMING – What do you do when you leave the County Board and have all that free time on your hands? Well, in the case of Mary Hynes, she has joined a blues band put together by her next door neighbor, Alan Harbitter, called Two Blue Band. Mary has been playing string bass since she was 14. In high school and college, she earned some money playing with her three sib- Alicia lings in a band her mother assembled that played mainly at wed- Kallen dings and church events. Check Mary out in her new career. This month, Two Blue Band has three gigs: Friday, August 4, at King Street Blues in Alexandria from 9 p.m. to midnight; Tuesday, Au- gust 8, at Clare and Don’s in Falls Church from 6-9 p.m.; and Saturday, August 26, at Cassatt’s in Arlington from 7-9 p.m. ACDC Voice, August 2017, Page 8 Look at the numbers Arlington merely 8th richest county in the USA Out of more than 3,100 counties across the United States, Arlington is the eighth rich- est, according to a new tabulation by the Cen- sus Bureau. That puts us in the upper one- third of 1 percent of all counties. But we’re in good company—five of the 10 wealthiest counties in America are in the Washington Metropolitan area, showing the impact of federal employment! Loudoun and Falls Church are way out ahead in the wealth race. We are more pedes- trian, being just slightly richer than ’s Santa Clara County, otherwise CHECKING THE NUMBERS – These two charts show just how known as Silicon Valley. dramatically Virginia has changed in the last half-century. The chart Of the wealthiest 10, Arlington has the distinction of having the youngest population, above shows the proportion of the vote in presidential years that has with a median age of 33.9 years. come from each of the three population concentrations and the “Rest of But we also have the distinction of hav- Virginia.” Hampton Roads and the Greater Richmond area have largely ing the second highest poverty rate among the the same portion of the state’s voters today as they did 50 years ago, wealthy ten. Santa Clara has a poverty rate of 9.5 percent, while Arlington’s stands at 9.0 when Richard Nixon won the presidency. But Northern Virginia has percent. All the others are under 6 percent. surged from 20 percent to 35 percent of the state’s voters while the “Rest The list of the 10 wealthiest counties is of Virginia” has skittered down from 42 percent to 29 percent. Then taken from the latest Census Bureau Small look at the chart below at right. Area Income and Poverty Estimates. Since the turn of the century, the three areas of population concentration have gone from more Republican than the country as a whole to more Democratic than the country as a whole. Northern Virginia, which was around 10 percent more GOP than nationally in the last century is now, as of 2016, 25 percent more Democratic than the rest of the country. Meanwhile, the Rest of Virginia, which was pretty much like the rest of the country in 1980, has slipped deeply into GOP ranks and is almost 30 percent more GOP than the nation as a whole. But the Rest of Virginia is shifting rightward while its residents are moving elsewhere.