2018 United States Senate election in Virginia
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The 2018 United States Senate election in Virginia will take place on November 6, 2018, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia, concurrently with other elections to the U.S. Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic Senator Tim Kaine is running for a second term.
The Virginia Republican central committee voted to select the Republican nominee for Senate by a primary rather than a convention. Republicans hoped to use the primary to allow more people to more extensively test the organizational and fundraising abilities of the candidates and to give the party a trove of fresh voter information. Because Kaine will likely face no primary opponent, it is expected that there will probably be more Democrats than usual voting in the Republican primary.[1]
Matt Waters received the Libertarian Party nomination on March 10, 2018. He is petitioning to get ballot access for the November election. He met the requirements by 7:00 pm June 12.[2]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Tim Kaine, incumbent U.S. Senator, former Governor, and Democratic nominee for Vice President in 2016[3]
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Nick Freitas, State Delegate[4]
- E. W. Jackson, pastor, attorney, veteran, candidate for the U.S Senate in 2012 and nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2013[5]
- Corey Stewart, Chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2013 and candidate for Governor in 2017[6]
Failed to qualify
- Minerva Diaz, veteran, businesswoman, and clergywoman[7][8]
- Bert Mizusawa, former Deputy Undersecretary of the Army, retired U.S. Army Major General and candidate for VA-02 in 2010[9]
- Ivan Raiklin, veteran and businessman[10]
Declined
- Dave Brat, U.S. Representative[11][12][13]
- Eric Cantor, former Majority Leader of the United States House of Representatives[11]
- Barbara Comstock, U.S. Representative[11][12][13]
- Ken Cuccinelli, former Attorney General and nominee for Governor in 2013[11][12]
- Tom Davis, former U.S. Representative[11][12]
- Jim Gilmore, former Governor, nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2008 and candidate for President in 2008 and 2016[14][13][15]
- Jimmie Massie, former State Delegate[12][14][13]
- Pete Snyder, technology entrepreneur and candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2013[11][14][13]
- Scott Taylor, U.S. Representative[13]
- Rob Wittman, U.S. Representative[11][16]
- Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, nominee for the U.S. Senate from California in 2010 and candidate for President in 2016[17]
- Ed Gillespie, former Chairman of the Republican National Committee, nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2014[12], and nominee for governor in 2017
- Shak Hill, candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014 (running for VA-10)[18]
- Laura Ingraham, talk radio host, author, and conservative political commentator (endorsed Corey Stewart)[19]
- Bob McDonnell, former governor of Virginia (endorsed Nick Freitas)[20][21]
- John Moore, University of Virginia law professor and former diplomat[22][23]
- Frank Wagner, State Senator and candidate for Governor in 2017[12]
Endorsements
Nick Freitas
- U.S. Senators
- Mike Lee (R-UT)[24]
- Rand Paul (R-KY), and 2016 U.S. presidential candidate[24]
- U.S. Representatives
- Ron Paul, former U.S. Representative (R-TX), candidate for president in 1988, 2008 and 2012[25]
- Paul Broun, former U.S. Representative (R-GA)[26]
- U.S. Governors
- Bob McDonnell (R-VA), former Governor of Virginia[27]
- State Senators
- Bryce Reeves, State Senator and candidate for Lt. Governor in 2017[28]
- David Suetterlein, State Senator[29]
- Bill DeSteph, State Senator[30]
- Mark Obenshain, State Senator and 2013 Republican nominee for Attorney General of Virginia[31]
- State Delegates
- Todd Gilbert, Virginia House Majority Leader[32]
- Greg Habeeb, State Delegate[33]
- Steve Landes, State Delegate[34]
- Dave LaRock, State Delegate[35]
- Brenda Pogge, State Delegate
- Mike Webert, State Delegate[36]
- Jason Miyares, State Delegate[37]
- Rob Bell, State Delegate and candidate for Attorney General of Virginia in 2013 and 2017.[38]
- Local Officials
- Jeremy McCleary, Mayor of Woodstock[39]
- Ron Meyer, Loudoun County Supervisor[40]
- Jon Russell, Member of the Culpeper town council[41]
- Susan Lascolette, Member of the Goochland County Board of Supervisors[41]
- Andrew Pullen, Member of the Fluvanna County School Board[42]
- Josh Thiel, Leesburg Town Councilmen[43]
- Notable Individuals
- Bishop Leon Benjamin, Founder and Senior Pastor of New Life Harvest Church in Richmond[44]
- Cassandra Fairbanks, contributor to The Gateway Pundit[45]
- Hugh Hewitt, conservative talk radio host[46]
- Charlie Kirk, founder and executive director of Turning Point USA[47]
- Mark Lloyd, Virginia State Director - Trump for President[48]
- Cliff Maloney Jr., Executive Director of Young Americans for Liberty[49]
- Austin Petersen, Libertarian candidate for President of the United States in 2016 and candidate for U.S Senate in Missouri for 2018[50]
- Cabot Phillips, Media Director for Campus Reform[51]
- Scott Presler, Political Activist[52]
- Erich Reimer, policy strategist and columnist[53]
- Denver Riggleman, businessman, candidate for governor in 2017, and Republican nominee for VA-05 in 2018[32]
- Mike Rubino, Virginia Senior Adviser - Trump For President[48]
- Kyle Kashuv, Parkland shooting survivor and conservative activist[54]
- Antonia Okafor, gun rights and campus carry activist[55]
- Kelley Paul, political consultant and activist[56]
- Richard Viguerie, conservative activist and chairman of ConservativeHQ.com[57]
- Party Leadership
- Morton Blackwell, Republican National Committeeman for Virginia[58]
- Kishore Thota, Chairman of the Young Republican Federation of Virginia[59]
- Organizations
- Virginia Watchmen Council[60]
- FreedomWorks[61]
- National Association for Gun Rights PAC[62]
- National Rifle Association (Political Victory Fund Only)[63]
- Republican Liberty Caucus[64]
- Students For Trump[65]
- Americans For Prosperity[66]
- News Publications
Corey Stewart
- Notable individuals
- Laura Ingraham, talk radio host, author, and conservative political commentator[19]
- Jerry Falwell Jr., President of Liberty University[69]
- Maria Espinoza, Founder of the Remembrance Project[70]
- Alice Butler-Short, Founder of Virginia Women for Trump[71]
E. W. Jackson
- Cabinet-level officials
- William G. Boykin, executive vice president at the Family Research Council, retired lieutenant general, former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence[72]
- Dr. Sebastian Gorka, former Deputy Assistant to President Donald Trump, military and intelligence analyst, FOX News Contributor
- U.S. Governors
- Statewide Office Holders
- Ken Blackwell, National Rifle Association Board Member, former Ohio Secretary of State, former Ohio State Treasurer, former Mayor of Cincinnati, OH
- Local Officials
- Suzy Kelly, Chesapeake City Councilwoman, Chairman of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, CEO of Jo-Kell
- Notable individuals
- Rafael Cruz, pastor and father of Ted Cruz[74]
- Organizations
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Corey Stewart |
E. W. Jackson |
Nick Freitas |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Media & Research (R-Stewart) | May 14–18, 2018 | 355 | ± 5.2% | 32% | 5% | 9% | – | – |
| Christopher Newport University | February 5–28, 2018 | 422 | ± 2.5% | 16% | 7% | 6% | 5%[76] | 66% |
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Hypothetical polling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Nick Freitas | 131,122 | 43.1% | |
| Republican | E. W. Jackson | 36,596 | 12% | |
| Republican | Corey Stewart | 136,463 | 44.9% | |
| Total votes | 100% | |||
Libertarian candidate
Candidate
Declared
- Matt Waters, Director of Development at Students For Liberty[77]
Endorsements
Matt Waters
- Party Leadership
- Bill Redpath, Libertarian National Committeeman, former Treasurer and former Chairman of the Libertarian National Committee[78]
- Carla Howell, Political Director of the Libertarian Party[78]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[79] | Solid D | December 15, 2017 |
| Rothenberg Political Report[80] | Solid D | January 5, 2017 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[81] | Safe D | February 7, 2018 |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Tim Kaine (D) |
Corey Stewart (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke College | May 20–30, 2018 | 555 | ± 4.2% | 44% | 33% | – | 23% |
| Christopher Newport University | February 5–28, 2018 | 1,562 | ± 2.5% | 56% | 32% | 1% | 11% |
| University of Mary Washington | September 5–12, 2017 | 562 LV | ± 5.2% | 53% | 36% | – | 7% |
| 867 RV | ± 4.1% | 54% | 39% | 1% | 4% |
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See also
References
- ^ Times-Dispatch, GRAHAM MOOMAW Richmond. "Divided Virginia GOP committee chooses primary to decide Kaine challenger for 2018 U.S. Senate race". Richmond.com. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
- ^ "Virginia Libertarians Nominate Candidate for U.S. Senate - Bearing Drift". March 11, 2018.
- ^ "Tim Kaine kicks off Senate re-election bid, says he plans to win 'the economic argument'". Richmond.com. April 2, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ Portnoy, Jenna (December 9, 2017). "Del. Nick Freitas jumps into GOP field to challenge Sen. Tim Kaine in 2018". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
- ^ Portnoy, Jenna (December 11, 2017). "E.W. Jackson announces U.S. Senate campaign, attacks Corey Stewart". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Wilson, Patrick (July 12, 2017). "Corey Stewart to announce run for U.S. Senate on Thursday, sources say". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
- ^ Martin, Jeanine (February 14, 2018). "Fifth Republican files for Senate–Updated".
- ^ "Committee/Candidate Search". classic.fec.gov.
- ^ Portnoy, Jenna (February 13, 2018). "Adviser to Trump campaign files to run as a Republican against Sen. Kaine". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
- ^ "Veteran of 20 years, Ivan Raiklin, announces U.S. Senate run". SalemTimes-register.com. November 16, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g Spiker, DJ (October 7, 2016). "An Early Look at 2017". Bearing Drift. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g Arkin, James (October 4, 2016). "GOP Starts to Eye Race to Replace Kaine in Senate". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f Severns, Maggie (November 6, 2016). "Fiorina tops GOP list for potential Virginia Senate contest". Politico. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
- ^ a b c Schapiro, Jeff E. (July 30, 2016). "Kaine VP bid fully nationalizes Va. politics". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- ^ Butler, Ryan (October 25, 2016). "Gilmore Considering Senate Run if Clinton, Kaine Elected". The Loudoun Tribune. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
- ^ Cain, Andrew (November 11, 2016). "Forbes a candidate for Trump's Navy secretary, Wittman considers his options". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
- ^ Kaczynski, Andrew (September 8, 2017). "Virginia Senate race: Carly Fiorina rules out run, Jim Gilmore 'considering' candidacy". CNN. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
- ^ "Shak Hill Announces Candidacy for VA 10th District Congressman". Fairfax Free Citizen. August 2, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- ^ a b "I'm totally helping Corey, this'll be fun". July 14, 2017.
- ^ JohnFredericksShow (April 27, 2017). "Bob McDonnell, Former Governor of Virginia: I'm Not Running For U.S. Senate In '18" – via YouTube.
- ^ "Trower: 2018 U.S. Senate GOP Top 10 Potential Candidates to Win Against Kaine - Bearing Drift". June 23, 2017.
- ^ akoma@insidenova.com, Alex Koma. "More Republicans to join Stewart in '18 Senate primary".
- ^ "UVA Law School on Twitter".
- ^ a b "Rand Paul endorses "liberty Republican" Nick Freitas to challenge Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine". Rare.us. January 5, 2018.
- ^ "I'm excited to announce that Ron Paul has endorsed my run for U.S. Senate!". March 1, 2018 – via Facebook.
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/NickFreitasVA/photos/a.709124599156058.1073741830.706414369427081/1640855379316304/?type=3&theater
- ^ "Nick Freitas". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Endorsements". Nick4Senate.com. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
- ^ "David Suetterlein on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
- ^ "Virginia State Senator Bill DeSteph Endorses Nick Freitas for U.S. Senate". February 27, 2018.
- ^ Mark Obenshain. "It's a real treat to have my friend and US Senate candidate @NickForVA in the Shenandoah Valley tonight. Nick Freitas will be a great Senator!". Twitter.
- ^ a b "A state lawmaker gives Corey Stewart competition for GOP Senate nomination". March 9, 2018.
- ^ Greg Habeeb. "Lots of folks asking me who they should vote for in the @VA_GOP Primary next Tuesday. Honestly, this is an absolute no-brainer. @NickForVA is one of the best young candidates we've had in years and would make an amazing Senator". Twitter.
- ^ Steve Landes. "Vote Nick Freitas for U.S. Senate!". Twitter.
- ^ https://twitter.com/LaRock4Delegate/status/1006304464372936706
- ^ "Delegate Mike Webert joins the Republican line-up supporting #Nick4Senate! #LibertyRising". Twitter.com. February 2, 2018.
- ^ "Delegate Jason Miyares joins the long list of Republicans, like Senator Rand Paul and Virginia Senator Bryce Reeves, endorsing my run for U.S. Senate". Facebook.com. February 26, 2018.
- ^ "U.S. Senate Candidate Nick Freitas Announces New Wave of Endorsements". Nick Freitas for U.S. Senate. May 17, 2018.
- ^ "Our campaign is proud to announce an endorsement from Woodstock Mayor Jeremy D. McCleary. Thank you, Mayor! #Nick4Senate #LibertyRising". Twitter.com. January 16, 2018.
- ^ Ron Meyer. "Excited to join @RandPaul on Saturday to rally @NickForVA to victory for US Senate! #LibertyRising". Twitter.
- ^ a b "Freitas announces U.S. Senate bid against Kaine". Culpeper Star-Exponent. December 11, 2017.
- ^ "Exclusive: Freitas Receives New Endorsement Out Of Fluvanna County". rwmartinez.com. December 11, 2017.
- ^ Josh Thiel. "Proud to support @NickForVA for US Senate with Senator @RandPaul. #LibertyRising". Twitter.
- ^ "I'm glad to announce that Bishop Leon Benjamin has endorsed my campaign for U.S. Senate. #LibertyRising #Nick4Senate". Twitter.com. February 12, 2018.
- ^ Cassandra Fairbanks. "Dear VA, please get rid of Tim Kaine by voting @NickForVA tomorrow instead of that other guy". Twitter.
- ^ Hugh Hewitt. "Voted for @NickForVA today. 9/11 vets and special forces to boot. Young and ready to take on Senator Kaine. Uphill race but a vet worth a vote if you haven't already been to the polls". Twitter.
- ^ Charlie Kirk. "He has my full support!". Twitter.
- ^ a b "After bruising losses, Republicans gather in Hot Springs to find path out of wilderness". News Leader. December 9, 2017.
- ^ "Cliff Maloney Jr. on Twitter".
- ^ https://twitter.com/AP4Liberty/status/999114752906465281
- ^ Cabot Phillips. "If you're looking for a candidate to get excited about, @NickForVA is the one. He's an experienced, principled leader who will defend our conservative values in the Senate. I'm excited to support him!". Twitter.
- ^ https://twitter.com/ScottPresler/status/1006595414039162880
- ^ Erich Reimer. "Tomorrow I'll be voting for @NickForVA, a patriot who served over a decade in the US Army, including in the Special Forces/Green Berets in Iraq, as VA's GOP US Senate nominee". Twitter.
- ^ https://twitter.com/KyleKashuv/status/1002255671826550785.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Nick Freitas. ""As a Second Amendment rights and women's empowerment activist, I only go out of my way to endorse candidates I truly believe will fight for us. Nick Freitas is that fighter. And I know he will fight for Virginia and our Second Amendment rights in Washington." - @antonia_okafor". Twitter.
- ^ https://twitter.com/KelleyAshbyPaul/status/1005526879615451137
- ^ "Endorsement: Nick Freitas For U.S. Senator From Virginia". ConservativeHQ.com. June 11, 2018.
- ^ "A state lawmaker gives Corey Stewart competition for GOP Senate nomination". Washington Post. March 9, 2018.
- ^ "For The First Time Ever, A Majority Of Virginia's Young Republicans Federation Members Endorse GOP Primary Candidate, Nick Freitas". April 25, 2018.
- ^ Cook, William. "Press Release". Facebook.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
- ^ "FreedomWorks for America Endorses Nick Freitas in the Virginia Senate Race". FreedomWorks. April 10, 2018.
- ^ "The National Association for Gun Rights PAC has endorsed my race for U.S. Senate because they know I'm the only candidate with a proven record of fighting back the gun-grabbing Left. #LibertyRising". Twitter.
- ^ "Stewart Snubbed: NRA endorses Nick Freitas in U.S. Senate primary race". InsideNoVA. May 10, 2018.
- ^ "The Republican Liberty Caucus Endorses Nick Freitas". Republican Liberty Caucus. May 4, 2018.
- ^ https://twitter.com/TrumpStudents/status/1001290042604707840.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Americans for Prosperity endorses Nick Freitas in Virginia Senate GOP primary". Washington Times. June 5, 2018.
- ^ "Sun Gazette endorsement: Freitas is only viable choice for Arlington GOP". Insidenova.com. May 31, 2018.
- ^ https://twitter.com/ReaganBattalion/status/1003698981552181255.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Stewart, Corey. "Pleased to announce @JerryFalwellJr's support. He was instrumental in electing @realDonaldTrump. Falwell's endorsement is proof positive conservative Republicans will take back Virginia in 2018". Twitter.com. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/CoreyStewartVA/videos/2235749353108559/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ https://www.facebook.com/groups/VirginiaWomenForTrump/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "E.W. Jackson". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Huckabee Endorses Jackson". Jackson for US Senate. April 10, 2018.
- ^ "E.W. Jackson". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "FRC Action PAC Announces Endorsement of E.W. Jackson to U.S. Congress". Family Research Council Action PAC. May 15, 2018.
- ^ Ivan Raiklin* 1%, Other 4%. *Failed to qualify.
- ^ "Waters to Seek Nomination for US Senate". Standard News Wire. February 21, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ a b "Browse Receipts - FEC.gov". FEC.gov.
- ^ "2018 Senate Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
- ^ "2018 Senate Ratings". The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- ^ "Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » 2018 Ratings Changes". www.centerforpolitics.org.