by Dick Hall-Sizemore

This weekend I spent time in the center of Virginia. That would be that area west of I-95, south of I-64, and east of the Blue Ridge–encompassing Powhatan, Buckingham, Cumberland, Campbell, Bedford, and Franklin counties. Some I just passed through on the main highway (Rt. 60); others I spend more time in on lesser roads. The weather was gorgeous; the roadside goldenrod glorious.

This is Republican country; deep red. Youngkin carried it with 77 percent of the vote in 2021; Trump got 73 percent last year. All the General Assembly members from these counties are Republicans; their representative in Congress is a Republican.

Last year, anyone driving through this area would have been overwhelmed with campaign signs for Trump. This year is notable for the lack of campaign signs.

There were some signs for Earle-Sears scattered throughout, but not many, considering the large area covered. What surprised me were the signs for Spanberger. There were almost as many, if not as many, as there were for Earle-Sears. (I wasn’t keeping an actual count, so this report is based on my impressions. And, after all, in politics, that is usually what counts.) One interesting note was the presence of signs for Miyares. There was one large, banner sign for him, as well as an occasional yard sign.

I am not sure what this signifies, if anything. It could be a sign that Republicans in this area are either not excited about the election itself or not excited about Earle-Sears. Either way, that could mean be another sign that she is in trouble.