# 2017 Virginia Gov. race: Gillespie (R) vs. Northam (D) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 14, 2017, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920 "2017-06-14T02:52:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/61 "2017-11-07T15:30:45Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Let’s call a spade a spade, we’re talking about RACISM, not T\*\*\*pism. There are certain white Republican voters who respond very well to appeals to their racism. There is nothing more to it than that. That doesn’t get you a majority in a state that went for Obama twice though. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/62 "2017-11-07T15:31:53Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Here’s to hoping the Republicans conclude that “the party can’t win like this”, and needs to be reformulated into something non-Trumpian. 🙂 Given that Gillespie is basically the GOP version of McCauliffe, after the fact it will be easy to just blame the establishment. His Trumpism is not sincere, it’s just politics from a very seasoned political operative. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/63 "2017-11-07T15:51:51Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Given that Gillespie is basically the GOP version of McCauliffe, after the fact it will be easy to just blame the establishment. His Trumpism is not sincere, it’s just politics from a very seasoned political operative. Given Virginia’s track record of late, a loss for the Republicans here would not be as bad a loss for the Democrats. Well, let me clarify that: It won’t be as bad for the Republicans in terms of their chances to win in other races, but it would be bad in the sense that it tells other members of the party: Run a Trumpian campaign, and you’ve got a good shot of winning. Even if they’re just “faking it”, one runs the risk of becoming the actual thing you think you’re only “faking”. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/64 "2017-11-07T16:30:09Z")
Given the Dem’s failure to prevail in any of the recent post-Trump contested special elections, I would view this as a significant loss. My liberal friends keep talking about this increasing wave of interest/energy, and are happy to march while wearing silly hats, whereas I keep wondering when that energy is going to be reflected where it matters - in the voting booth. If Dems in VA aren’t able to mobilize enough to win this one, why should we expect things to be any different in future state/local elections, not to mention the midterms? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/65 "2017-11-07T16:35:21Z")
It’s not just the governors’ race that matters here either. There are three statewide races, Governor, LT. Governor, and AG, all of which are close. While governor is the most important, I’d say whichever party wins 2 of 3 is the winner here. If Gillespie pulls it out but Democrats win the other two, I’d just spin that as “Gillespie is an unusually talented politician”. After all, he came within a hair’s breadth of beating the very popular Mark Warner. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/66 "2017-11-07T16:38:08Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Given the Dem’s failure to prevail in any of the recent post-Trump contested special elections, I would view this as a significant loss. My liberal friends keep talking about this increasing wave of interest/energy, and are happy to march while wearing silly hats, whereas I keep wondering when that energy is going to be reflected where it matters - in the voting booth. If Dems in VA aren’t able to mobilize enough to win this one, why should we expect things to be any different in future state/local elections, not to mention the midterms? The recent post-Trump special elections were in districts that heavily favored Republicans. This is a state-wide race in a state that is moderately in the Democratic camp. This will be bad if the Dems lose, but I don’t see it as “the next domino to fall” type thing. It will be the first real domino. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/67 "2017-11-07T17:04:25Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Let’s call a spade a spade, we’re talking about RACISM, not T\*\*\*pism. There are certain white Republican voters who respond very well to appeals to their racism. There is nothing more to it than that. If you’re going to be _this_ absurdly uncharitable, at least bring evidence that it is the case. As **adaher** points out, there’s actually good evidence implying that no, it’s _not_ about racism. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/68 "2017-11-07T18:29:12Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > If you’re going to be _this_ absurdly uncharitable, at least bring evidence that it is the case. As **adaher** points out, there’s actually good evidence implying that no, it’s _not_ about racism. He didn’t start moving up in the polls until he [went full racist.](https://thinkprogress.org/racism-ballot-virginia-gillespie-84db1f3192a8/) > [@](#): > > One of Gillespie’s ads focuses entirely on a single issue — claiming Democratic candidate Ralph Northam “will take our statutes down, Ed Gillespie will preserve them.” His campaign flyers tap into cultural hatreds against black NFL players protesting racism in the United States — “you’d never take a knee . . . so take a stand on election day,” one reads. Many of his ads do little more than imply that, if Northam wins, you will be killed by scary-looking Latino men with tattoos. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/69 "2017-11-07T18:31:38Z")
If you’re following the election returns tonight, probably the best way to get a handle on who’s really winning is to see how things are shaping up at the county level. Different counties report results at different times in the evening, so the statewide running totals won’t really be that indicative. But to do that, you’re going to need something to compare it with. [Politico has the county-level results from 2014](https://www.politico.com/2014-election/results/map/senate/virginia/#.WgH5vWckuPM), when Warner beat Gillespie by 0.8% in that year’s Senate race. So if Northam does as well as Warner did, he’ll win. But if Gillespie improves by even a little bit, he’s in. I’m rather nervous about tonight. I think it could go one of two ways: either it’ll be a squeaker that won’t have a clear winner until late, or Dem turnout will disappoint and Gillespie’s supporters will party early. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/70 "2017-11-07T18:35:11Z")
[Donald Trump, Jr. tweeted about two hours ago](http://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-jr-tells-people-vote-wrong-day-virginia-election-tweet-704355): > [@](#): > > Virginia, the future of the Commonwealth is at stake tomorrow. Find your polling place at http:// vote.gop to vote Ed for #VAGov, Follow Junior’s advice, Virginia Republicans - don’t forget to vote tomorrow!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/71 "2017-11-07T18:38:02Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > He didn’t start moving up in the polls until he [went full racist.](https://thinkprogress.org/racism-ballot-virginia-gillespie-84db1f3192a8/) Aye. Here’s what the racist who lost the primary to Mr. Gillespie had to say: > [@](#): > > “It feels like my campaign, doesn’t it?” Stewart commented to the Washington Post about Gillespie’s message. “I feel vindicated by it. What is it that they say? Imitation is the best form of flattery.” That’s Corey Stewart, not Martha, btw. Also, even [Steven Bannon admits it’s because of the racism](http://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/bannon-if-gillespie-wins-its-because-of-the-underlying-message-of-corey-stewart/): > [@](#): > > Speaking to an anti-immigrant organization on Saturday, former presidential adviser Steve Bannon said that if Republican Ed Gillespie wins Virginia’s gubernatorial race on Tuesday, it will be “because of the underlying message of Corey Stewart,” the Confederate-memorial-loving, fiercely anti-immigrant Prince William County supervisor who lost his bid for the state’s Republican gubernatorial nomination this year. > > “If Gillespie, who’s a Bush guy, if he wins—and I do believe that he’s going to win, he’s going to pull this thing out—it’s because of the underlying message of Corey Stewart and what he believes in and the Trump voters in Virginia that are going to turn out,” Bannon said. ---
**Author:** ![llcoolbj77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/eb9ed0/32.png) [@llcoolbj77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/llcoolbj77)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/72 "2017-11-07T18:38:57Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > If you’re going to be _this_ absurdly uncharitable, at least bring evidence that it is the case. As **adaher** points out, there’s actually good evidence implying that no, it’s _not_ about racism. Agreed. Most conservatives (at least in NoVA) won’t fall for the “teach history, don’t erase it” dog whistle. But they do care about keeping property taxes low and values high, etc… And will vote for Gillespie accordingly. And frankly, NoVA has been hit particularly badly with gang-violence, or perceived violence. So Gillespie’s “tough on crime” BS will sell. Cuccinelli lost, as will Jill Vogel, I believe, for their ridiculous trans-vaginal ultrasound abortion horse shit of a few years ago. NoVA is chock-a-block full of educated, fiscally conservative women, who have no absolutely no tolerance for that kind of shenanigans… and will vote against it every time. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/73 "2017-11-07T18:41:45Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > I’m rather nervous about tonight. I think it could go one of two ways: either it’ll be a squeaker that won’t have a clear winner until late, or Dem turnout will disappoint and Gillespie’s supporters will party early. It could also go the other way if the turnout is as good for the Dems as it was during the special elections. ---
**Author:** ![llcoolbj77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/eb9ed0/32.png) [@llcoolbj77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/llcoolbj77)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/74 "2017-11-07T18:44:41Z")
Also, I went to the wrong polling station and heard a woman talking about being number 638. When I got to mine, I was number 545. This was 10am this morning. I would not be surprised if voter turnout is higher than normal on an off-year election. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/75 "2017-11-07T20:07:05Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Everyone else: what do you think of this election race? Can this reasonably be looked at as a possible future indicator of what 2018 may bring? From this election the Democrats need evidence to support a shift left in future candidates. I can’t see another way forward; the left needs to rise, the Dems either support that or they fail again with centre-right HRC-type bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/76 "2017-11-07T21:12:30Z")
What time do the polls close in Virginia? ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/77 "2017-11-07T21:35:15Z")
7 pm. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/78 "2017-11-08T00:09:04Z")
In case anyone’s planning on watching the election results tonight, here are some helpful links: [Official Unofficial Results from virginia.gov](http://results.elections.virginia.gov/vaelections/2017%20November%20General/Site/Statewide.html) [NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/virginia-governor-election-gillespie-northam) [NBC News Live Blog](https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2017-elections/live-blog-latest-election-updates-virginia-new-jersey-new-york-n818086) ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/79 "2017-11-08T00:20:17Z")
Recommend this link (liveblog) as well: > **[What Went Down On Election Night 2017](https://fivethirtyeight.com/live-blog/2017-election-live-coverage-results/)** > > Live coverage of Election Day 2017, including the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races, New York City's mayoral contest, a Maine ballot question on expanding Medicaid, and special elections in Utah’s 3rd Congressional District and Washington... According to them, early signs point to a Northam win of about 5 points. If so, YAAAAAAY!!! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920/80 "2017-11-08T00:35:33Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Recommend this link (liveblog) as well: > > [What Went Down On Election Night 2017 | FiveThirtyEight](http://fivethirtyeight.com/live-blog/2017-election-live-coverage-results/) > > According to them, early signs point to a Northam win of about 5 points. If so, YAAAAAAY!!! Thanks for the link, but this is a live blog, and I’m not seeing that this is what they are saying now: _This is about that point in the night when people probably read too much into thin reeds of data. With that said, the data tells a fairly consistent story, with pre-election polls, the exit poll and the results so far (adjusted for the precincts where they’re coming from) all indicating a narrow Northam advantage. [Nate Sliver; 7:28 PM EST]_ But maybe I missed that. Would he call 5 points a “narrow win”? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-virginia-gov-race-gillespie-r-vs-northam-d/788920.md?page=5)