COMSTOCK FOR DELEGATE BLOG
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Richmond Times-Dispatch: House of Delegates control up for grabs
By STAFF REPORTS
Published: October 4, 2009
The candidates for governor are getting the attention, but on Nov. 3, Virginia's voters will make another critical decision -- about which party controls the House of Delegates.
The battle for the majority will do much to determine whether the next governor gets his way on transportation funding, taxes and budget cuts. It's also important because the General Assembly will redraw legislative and congressional districts after the 2010 census.
Republicans now hold 53 House seats, Democrats 45. Two independents generally vote with the Republicans. Democrats, who hold the majority in the state Senate, need to gain six seats to take control of the House.
All 100 House seats will be on the ballot Nov. 3. While there are contests for 71 seats, fewer appear competitive. Turn to Page A11 for a look at 10 key races.
Here's a look at 10 contests for the House of Delegates that both parties think could be particularly competitive on Nov. 3.
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Northern Virginia 34th District -- part of Fairfax County
Del. Margaret G. Vanderhye, D-Fairfax, was first elected in 2007, edging Republican David M. Hunt with 51 percent of the vote. Between the two of them, the candidates spent $1.2 million.
Two years later, Vanderhye faces a strong challenge from Republican Barbara J. Comstock of McLean.
Comstock, a lawyer, is co-founder of a public-relations and government-affairs firm. She previously served as a senior aide to Rep. Frank R. Wolf, R-10th, as chief counsel to the U.S. House Government Reform and Oversight Committee, and as director of the Office of Public Affairs at the Justice Department.
Vanderhye has served on the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and the National Capital Planning Commission. She is a former assistant to the National Security Council and research assistant at the Brookings Institution.
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http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DELS04_20091003-222407/297345/
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