RICHMOND, Va. — With Virginia elections only days away, WUSA9 spoke with David Ramadan, Professor of Practice at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government. Ramadan is also a former Virginia Delegate.
Here's his take on the importance of the 2023 election cycle.
Simone De Alba: "When it comes to Virginia voters, we know that things like the economy, reproductive rights, and crime, are things that are top of mind. What do you think is going to be a major driver for voters for this election?"
David Ramadan: "Kitchen table issues, it's gonna be jobs, it's gonna be traffic. If we're talking today, it's the craziness across the river in Washington DC. Everybody is watching what's happening in Congress.. if we're talking overall, economy remains number one and of course women's reproductive rights."
Simone De Alba: "If Republicans can maintain control of the house, and the flip the Senate, what are the larger implications politically for the state of Virginia?"
David Ramadan: "The election in general is really a determining factor this year of if Virginia is reliably blue, or is it back to being a purple swing state? Was the Youngkin election an outlier of one Republican who was able to utilize issues such as parental rights and school issues? Or is this now a change, and is the electorate going to continue to elect Republicans on these issues?"
Simone De Alba: "You've said it's the Independents where the election is going to be won or lost?"
David Ramadan: "The question is going to be, was the Youngkin election two years ago an outlier? Can Republicans win individually? They proved they can. The question now is can Republicans win as a team. Early indications are not looking good for Younkin and the Republican team."