Virginia primary test Trump’s influence despite absence from ballot
It’s all about money and name recognition in one of the closest-watched House races today in Virginia. In the 7th Congressional District, former National Security Counsel deputy legal advisor Eugene Vindman is running in the Democratic primary to replace sitting Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who is vying to be Virginia’s next governor.
Vindman gained notoriety back in 2019, when his brother, retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, testified during Trump’s first impeachment hearings about the president’s dealings with Ukraine. He and his brother earned the praise of many in Democratic circles after the two served as whistleblowers, and subsequently ended up losing their jobs.
Vindman has greatly out raised his six Democratic opponents, some of whom have served in local government roles, with $4.5 million more in the bank than his closest opponent according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
On the Republican side, you have another example of the proxy fight between the House Freedom Caucus, and Republican leadership. Navy veteran Cameron Hamilton, supported by the likes of Reps. Eli Crane and Cory Mills, is up against Derrick Anderson, an Army Veteran who has the backing of Speaker Mike Johnson, House Republican Conference chair Elise Stefanik, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Rep. Derrick Van Orden.
The results of the Republican primary will provide a good glimpse into the power of the GOP establishment heading into what’s expected to be a competitive November election in the 7th District.
