Aide Prevails in Democratic Primaries, Gearing Up for Succession of Gerry Connolly's U.S. House Seat in Virginia
In the Upcoming Special Election 🗳️
James Walkinshaw is all set to be the Democratic candidate in the imminent election, taking over the spot left by the late Virginia Dem Rep Gerry Connolly. fairfax county supervisor since 2020, Walkinshaw has the edge with Democratic Kamala Harris winning the district by a whopping 34 points in the recent presidential race.
Walkinshaw's Republican rival, Stewart Whitson, also emerged victorious in the party-run nominating event. A former FBI Special Agent and U.S. Army combat veteran, Whitson currently works in federal affairs at a conservative policy organization. He's a staunch supporter of traditional Republican ideas, solidifying his alignment with the party's conservative message.
Connolly, who endorsed Walkinshaw, had served as his chief of staff for over a decade before his untimely death due to cancer. In his endorsement, he emphasized Walkinshaw's extensive experience in managing national issues and his ability to stand up against former President Trump.
Whitson, on the other hand, spent nearly ten years with the FBI, primarily focusing on counterterrorism efforts. After leaving the bureau in 2021, he took on a role as the senior director of federal affairs at a government accountability foundation.
Walkinshaw benefited from a significant advertising push, spearheaded by a liberal super PAC, in the primary race. Pro-Walkinshaw advertisers accounted for more than half of the total ad spending, approximately $2 million, according to AdImpact.
One of the groups that boosted Walkinshaw's campaign was the "Protect Progress" super PAC, which spent nearly $1 million on ads praising Walkinshaw's connections to Connolly.
The special election to fill Connolly's seat is slated for September 9, 2021. Let the race begin! 🏃♂️🏃♀️
In the upcoming special election, the political landscape of the district is shaping up with James Walkinshaw, the Democratic candidate, and Stewart Whitson, his Republican opponent, vying for Gerry Connolly's vacated seat. This race, influenced by policy-and-legislation, politics, war-and-conflicts, and general-news, promises to be a significant event. The election ad spending, as reported by AdImpact, indicates a focus on promoting the candidates, with pro-Walkinshaw advertisers accounting for over half of the total ad spending.
