• GOP Targets Vulnerable Delegates

In order to increase their control of the House of Delegates, Virginia Republicans plan to fight hard to boot Democrats from office this fall.

"The Republicans are certainly far more aggressive in contesting Democratic seats this year than they have previously," said veteran political analyst Bob Holsworth.

He says the GOP hopes to build big war chests in districts across the Commonwealth.

"Clearly each side is out there trying to raise as much money as they can right now. The real question is can they, given the kind of environment we're seeing," he said.

To get the most bang for their buck, Republicans are targeting vulnerable Democrats.

That includes Del. Shannon Valentine (D-23rd District), who's running for her third term representing Lynchburg. She'll face Republican city councilman Scott Garrett.

The GOP is also trying to knock off freshman lawmakers, including McLean Del. Margi Vanderhye (D-34th District), who narrowly won her first term. Former Bush administration official Barbara Comstock is the Republican nominee in that race.

Another vulnerable Democrat is Del. Joe Bouchard (D-83rd District). In 2007, Bouchard beat Republican Chris Stolle by less than 200 vote. Now Stolle is back for a rematch, hoping to represent Virginia Beach in the legislature.

Holsworth says those tight races are good news for Republicans and bad news for Democrats.