Tag: virginia democrats

HMDDC had three primary goals for this event: 1) raise money for the committee, 2) present statewide candidates to HMDDC members and volunteers, and 3) get an early look at how the candidates lined up against each other. By most accounts, we achieved all three goals.

The event was open to all, and the individual campaigns were encouraged to bring supporters to participate. Participation did require pre-registration and the purchase of a “ticket.” Over 250 tickets were sold, which exceeded the Committee’s expectations, as did the total amount raised ($6,100+), which included contributions in excess of the ticket price.

It is important to note that this straw poll was not a scientific poll of the candidates’ support across the Commonwealth. Roughly 60% of the ticket purchasers were from Northern Virginia. Fewer than 20% of purchasers were HMDDC members. Participants skewed heavy to the campaigns that recruited them to attend. And voting was done using the Zoom Webinar polling feature which may not be as secure as in-person paper ballots.

In the end, attendees came away excited at the prospects for 2021 in Virginia. Democrats have a strong field of competitive candidates in every statewide race.

Below are the results.

Three of the announced gubernatorial candidates spoke to attendees. Justin Fairfax and Terry McAuliffe did not attend.

• Jennifer Caroll Foy: 36%
• Jennifer McClellan: 36%
• Lee Carter: 14%
• Terry McAuliffe: 11%
• Justin Fairfax: 2%
• None of the above/No preference: 2%

Only one of the announced Lt. Governor candidates (Paul Goldman) did not attend the event. Due to technical and timing issues, Elizabeth Guzman did not have the chance to speak until after the poll had been conducted. In an effort to achieve a more equitable result, another poll was taken after Del. Guzman spoke. In the interest of transparency, the results of both polls are shown below. While the need for two polls came about by accident, seeing both numbers may provide some interesting insight. Notably, both polls reflected consistent number 1, 2, and 3, rankings.

First Poll (Before Del. Guzman spoke)

• Sam Rasoul: 46%
• Sean Perryman: 24%
• Elizabeth Guzman: 8%
• Mark Levine: 7%
• Hala Ayala: 5%
• Andria McClellan: 5%
• Xavier Warren: 3%
• None of the above/No preference: 2%
• Paul Goldman: 0%

Second Poll (After Del. Guzman spoke)

• Sam Rasoul: 45%
• Sean Perryman: 22%
• Elizabeth Guzman: 17%
• Hala Ayala: 6%
• Andria McClellan: 4%
• Mark Levine: 3%
• None of the above/No preference: 1%
• Xavier Warren: 0%
• Paul Goldman: 0%

Both announced Attorney General candidates spoke to attendees.

• Mark Herring: 64%
• Jay Jones: 30%
• None of the above/No preference: 6%