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lurpin notes that in John Dalton’s gubernatoial landslide of 1977 the GOP increased its House holdings from 17 to 21 members. In the 1979 election that number went to 25. And then in 19M1, while the Democrats swept all three statewide offices, the Republican strength in the House surged to 33, a solid gain of eight seats. Since that time the number has remained relatively stable with a net gain of one, but Turpin is convinced that, in this statewide election year, there will be another significant advance, although perhaps more modest than the one of four years ago.
It could happen of course, and the Republicans' chipping away process could continue. However, so desperate is the GOP for House candidates that a conservative political action group headed by lieutenant governor hopeful Richard Viguerie is actually placing classified ads in newspapers urging anyone who might be interested in running to step forward.
Nevertheless, it is clear that no matter how the races for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general turn out, there will be no dramatic shift of power in the House of Delegates in this election year. The Democrats will remain solidly in control.
In spite of the party’s obvious strength in important sectors of Virginia politics, the GOP has yet to demonstrate that it can bring General Assembly candidates flocking to run under the Republican banner.
Until it does, the Old Dominion's bumpy trend toward becoming a full-fledged Republican state will remain an uncertain as well as a sometime thing.
59.5%