by Ben Whedon
Former President Donald Trump appears ready to invest heavily in Virginia during the 2024 election, as novel polling data suggests Old Dominion could be competitive with Republicans for the first time in 20 years.
The state hasn’t supported a Republican in a presidential election since George W. Bush in 2004 and has been increasingly Democratic for years until GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s upset victory in 2021 reignited Republican hopes in the commonwealth. But the GOP has struggled in the 2023 legislative elections, with many analysts blaming Dobbs v. Jackson a decision that forced Republicans to defend themselves on abortion this cycle. Party he lost control House of Delegates and failed to take control of the state Senate in that election.
Nor has Trump’s voting record in the state been exceptionally sturdy throughout his political career. In the 2016 election, he lost in Virginia to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who won 49.7 percent votes to their 44.4 percent. President Joe Biden’s margin of victory in 2020 nearly doubled that number, and the current commander-in-chief winning 54.1% of the votes up to 44.0 percent Trump.
However, current polling data suggests that Trump may be poised to reverse this trend and potentially move the state to red in November. Biden currently boasts a slim 2.2 percent lead over Trump Real clear policy poll average, gaining 45.5% support to his Republican rival’s 43.3%. It is worth noting that the average covers four surveys, two of which covered the December to January survey periods.
The two most recent component polls are from May and June of Roanoke College and Fox News, respectively. Both showed a draw. Internal survey data from the campaign you shared with Only News meanwhile, by a source familiar with the data shows Trump three points ahead of Biden in Virginia and tied with him in Minnesota.
“Joe Biden is so weak and Democrats are in such disarray that not only does President Trump dominate every traditional battleground state, but long-blue states like Minnesota, Virginia and New Jersey are at stake” – Trump Campaign National Press, said Secretary Karoline Leavitt Only News. “President Trump is taking offense as he delivers a winning message and advances his movement every day. Joe Biden’s campaign should be terrified.”
Trump, for his part, has repeatedly suggested that he could are led by traditionally left-wing countries, including New York and New Jersey. He previously praised the “very heavy spectacle” for New York and a widely conducted campaign in the Big Apple throughout the criminal trial, holding customary rallies as well as targeted stops targeting general Democratic constituencies such as union workers and black voters. Biden Trump currently leads in New York by 7.5 percent
But with New York much closer than expected, the campaign appears to have Virginia and other more purple states within reach and has begun to ramp up efforts in the state to reach out to voters and build a ground game ahead of the election.
The Old Dominion has 13 electoral votes, making it a potentially key state in a tight race. Trump currently leads in most US swing states Average T&A, including Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona and Nevada. Minnesota has also become increasingly competitive.
“Adding Minnesota and Virginia to the electoral map opens up at least 12 additional paths to 270,” he added. reads an internal campaign memo obtained by Only News.
The campaign memo further indicates that Trump’s team plans to obtain leases for 11 field offices in Virginia and another eight in Minnesota. The North Star State has not voted for a Republican candidate since supporting Richard Nixon in the 1972 election.
“Additional materials will land in early July in both states, and we have already begun generating Trump Force 47 captain recruits to provide training,” the memo continued. “We have hired staff to manage both states and are currently building a team under them.”
In addition to training staff and opening field offices, Trump himself plans to support the Virginia campaign and will organize so in Chesapeake on Friday, the day after the first presidential debate.
The event, which is said to be held at the historic Greenbrier Farms, is scheduled to take place Youngkin will appear alongside Trump publicly for the first time this campaign cycle. While the governor has not yet confirmed his attendance, multiple media outlets have reported on his planned appearance, and he previously met with Trump at the former president’s golf club in the state.
Youngkin, a relatively moderate member of the Republican Party, was successful in Virginia, which had previously sparked speculation that he would mount a presidential campaign to challenge Trump in the primary, though he ultimately decided against such a move. In a recent interview, Youngkin urged caution about statements that Republicans could flip Virginia, but said the discussion itself was evidence of a significant shift in state politics.
“Let’s start by remembering where we were in 2020 when Joe Biden won Virginia by 10 points, and the fact that we’re having this discussion is a huge turn of events,” he added. Youngkin said earlier this month. “[W]We’re here in June and there’s still a lot of water to go under the bridge, but Virginia looks like it’s getting underway and that’s pretty electrifying.
But despite the governor’s expected support, Trump could face internal divisions within the Virginia GOP over his handling of some primary races. At the end of May Trump endorsed John McGuire, the chief opponent of the House Speaker, Republican Rep. Bob Good, R-Va. The Virginia Republican previously endorsed Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis in the presidential primary before endorsing Trump.
“Bob Good is BAD FOR VIRGINIA AND BAD FOR THE USA” Trump posted. “He turned his back on our amazing movement and continually attacked and fought me until recently when he gave his warm and ‘loving’ support – but really it was too late.”
The former president’s endorsement drew the ire of some local Republican leaders, including the chairman of the 5th District Republican Congressional Committee Rick Buchanan, who expressed hope that Trump would withdraw his “ill-advised endorsement.” The main event between Goode and McGuire has not yet been announced.
“We will have a full recount. We will conduct a full investigation. This will take a few weeks.” Well indicated. “Fortunately, we have lawyers on standby, a huge number of lawyers, many of whom are ready to help us.”
Trump’s altercation with Good in the primary means him latest dispute with more conservative members of the House. He has previously targeted other DeSantis supporters, such as Texas GOP Rep. Chip Roy and Kentucky GOP Rep. Thomas Massie.
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Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.
“Donald Trump in Philadelphia” photo by Dan Scavino Jr..
