April 27, 2017 – Jenna Portnoy, Washington Post
Reps. Gerald E. Connolly and A. Donald McEachin on Thursday endorsed a state senator from Loudoun County for the Democratic nomination to challenge Rep. Barbara Comstock.
State Sen. Jennifer T. Wexton is one of four Democrats who want to unseat Comstock (R) in a 2018 midterm contest that could be among the nation’s most competitive.
Democrats are targeting the Northern Virginia district and others like it that voted for Hillary Clinton but are held by Republican members of Congress.
The early endorsements for Wexton come two days after Dorothy McAuliffe, the wife of Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) and a close friend of the Clintons, said she is “seriously considering” running for the seat.
If the state’s first lady decides to run, Virginia Democrats could find themselves in an awkward position, having to choose between a popular state senator and the wife of a powerhouse fundraiser with a national network.
Earlier this week, six state senators, including four with constituents in the 10th Congressional District — Sens. Janet D. Howell, Dave W. Marsden, Jeremy S. McPike and J. Chapman “Chap” Petersen — endorsed Wexton.