Government shutdown: If Washington closes, it could cost the GOP in Virginia

Republican candidates in Virginia’s statewide elections this November could see a more difficult battle than expected if the federal government is forced into a shutdown on Sunday.

The challenge would be a mirror of the off-year elections 10 years ago, when a Republican-led shutdown over Obamacare helped former Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D-VA) secure the governor’s seat. The Republican candidate, Ken Cuccinelli, lost by less than 3 percentage points.

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“[The 2013 shutdown] definitely helped us,” Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) told NBC News in a report on Friday. “People do see it since only one side ever flirts with shutdown — Republicans. People know who’s doing it. And Virginia is so connected that everybody’s got family who is affected by this.”

Allies of Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA), who is not up for reelection this year, are particularly concerned about the heavily military-friendly area of Hampton Roads. There are 80,000 active military members in the Hampton Roads area alone, and active military service members are not paid during a shutdown. However, a bill in the House would keep the troops funded if passed.

“As Sheriff of York and Poquoson for 23 years, I prided myself on working with everyone to put politics aside and get the job done, and Congress needs to do the same right now,” Danny Diggs, a former sheriff running for state Senate, said. “I applaud Congresswoman [Jen] Kiggans (D-VA) and Congressman [Rob] Wittman (R-VA) for fighting for the brave military men and women who serve our country during these times with a common-sense bill to continue paying the members of the military during the shutdown.”

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Every seat in both chambers of the state legislature is open for election this year, but the governor’s seat is not. Youngkin is hoping the election will help Republicans flip the state Senate and keep their majority in the House. The election could see definitive legislation on controversial topics such as abortion access.

Youngkin has pushed for early voting among conservatives in the state, which is typically where Democrats shine. But Republicans are hoping the state could give the party an early indication of how successful their push for absentee and early voting is ahead of the presidential election next year.