The drama of the “will he/won’t he” run of 83rd House district Delegate Leo Wardup played out earlier this year, with the result being the latter. A shortened primary race between ultimate winner Chris Stolle and Carolyn Weems and the subsequent time off taken by Stolle has caused this race to kinda fly below the radar.
All along, Joe Bouchard has been campaigning: raising money, knocking doors, and generally being out in the community. This is nothing new for a man who has been actively involved in his community. The hard work of Bouchard and his campaign team is paying off. From his poll memo:
Buoyed by a favorable national political environment, Democrat Joe Bouchard begins this contest with a slight edge over Republican Chris Stolle, 41 – 35 percent…
[…]
Bouchard’s edge here is built, in part, from the fact that he is better received among the voters who are familiar with him than Stolle is among those who recognize him.
[…]
All in all, Bouchard has a narrow edge over Stolle here, fueled by the favorable national political environment and Stolle’s mixed reviews among this electorate. For Democrats to move this Republican-held seat into their column, it will be absolutely essential for Bouchard to have the resources he needs to undertake an effective and aggressive campaign.
Did you catch that last part? Let me repeat it for you: it will be absolutely essential for Bouchard to have the resources he needs.
Resources are not just money, although that helps. Resources are also volunteers for phone banking, canvassing, and other activities.
The seat in the 83rd can be won. Contribute or volunteer today.
Technorati Tags: Joe Bouchard, VA House of Delegates
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Wasn’t this the seat that 6-7 weeks ago Brian Kirwin was telling us was “out of play”? So Bouchard is up 6%? Now everyone knows Brian is full of it!
Agreed, HMR.
Not to come out in defense of Washington, DC consultants, but I will observe that the problem with a lot of entrenched local consultants in both parties is that over time, they run the risk of not recognizing how their community has started changing around them. The ones who spot it and adapt succeed. The ones who don’t are Republicans.