RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin cheered on the grassroots voters of their respective parties in Virginia on Sunday as they seek to increase turnout in a disputed gubernatorial race that will be a landmark before of the midterm elections next year.
McAuliffe, who was governor from 2014 to 2018, and Democrats are fighting to avoid disaster after public polls have shifted in Youngkin’s direction in recent weeks. Republicans are optimistic about their chances here, where they haven’t won a state race since 2009.
After campaigning in northern Virginia on Saturday, Youngkin set out for the southwestern corner of the state, a Republican stronghold, on Sunday. Stopovers throughout their bus tour included a prayer breakfast, a worship service, a barbecue at the home of a powerful state legislator, a meet and greet at the farthest corner of the state, and an evening voting meeting.
McAuliffe, who preceded Democrat Ralph Northam as governor in the only state that does not allow his executive to serve consecutive terms, spent Saturday in the southeast corner of the state before making stops Sunday in the suburbs of Richmond and northern Virginia.
In the backyard of a Henrico County home, McAuliffe told an energetic crowd of supporters that “the stakes are high” while promoting his record since his first term.
Speaking at a rally in Abingdon, Youngkin predicted that Republicans will sweep in all three state elections and regain control of the House of Delegates, where all 100 seats are on the ballot.
“This is a time for us to make a declaration that the great control of the government is going to lose and liberty and liberty in Virginia are going to win,” he said, as the crowd erupted in cheers.
McAuliffe has brought in a number of high-profile substitutes, including President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, and musicians Pharrell Williams and Dave Matthews.
The hectic pace of the campaign will continue on Monday. Both candidates will traverse the state, each with stops in Roanoke, Virginia Beach, the Richmond area and Northern Virginia.
Polls will open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
