Leading the Change the Assembly Campaign
As the leader of Virginia’s House Democratic Caucus, Del. Brian Moran (D-46) has emerged in the last few years as one of the state’s most prominent political faces. He is in charge of a statewide campaign to elect Democrats to the General Assembly, a potential candidate in the next gubernatorial election and the brother of a well-known congressman. He has no direct challengers, yet he has taken all House Republicans on as head of a Democratic-led initiative to retake control of Virginia....
Last week, Moran led a five-day excursion through the state as part of an effort Democratic leaders call the “Change the Assembly” Tour. Moran plans to roll out specific Democratic policy initiatives in locations where he can help raise money and attention to candidates in tight races. Along with House Minority Leader Del. Ward Armstrong (D-10), Moran plans to spend the final month of the campaign season crisscrossing the commonwealth to build momentum for Democratic issues and candidates.
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On the campaign trail, Moran has become the public face for a host of Democratic initiatives: funding early childhood initiatives, advancing stem-cell research, increasing teacher pay, extending long-term care for seniors and encouraging new research for alternative and renewable energy. Each of the major planks will receive its own stop on the Change the Assembly tour in coordination with specific races. For example, the Democratic proposal on alternative and renewable energy will be announced in Fauquier County, where Democratic challenger is taking on incumbent Del. Scott Lingamfelter (R-31). Between campaign stops last week, Moran said that he expects to pick up three to six seats in the House — not enough to fill the 11-seat gap keeping Democrats from taking control in the House of Delegates.
“We have a steep hill to climb in the House, but I am confident that we will take the Senate,” said Moran. “And frankly, I think that we will be able to take the House in 2009.”
