Republicans Expand Target Map After Virginia Upset

NRCC adds 13 vulnerable Democrats to target in midterms

Philip Caldwell • November 3, 2021 11:22 am

The National Republican Congressional Committee expanded its target list of vulnerable Democratic House seats in the wake of Virginia Republican Glenn Youngkin’s upset gubernatorial victory over Democrat Terry McAuliffe.

The committee, which works to elect Republicans to the House of Representatives, added 13 members to the list of Democrats it plans to target ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, bringing the total number of targets to 70.

The list expansion came the morning after Youngkin’s Tuesday victory in the Virginia gubernatorial race, a year after former president Donald Trump lost the state by double digits. Youngkin eroded Democrats’ hold on Virginia’s suburbs, campaigning on a promise to eliminate critical race theory in schools and empower parents in influencing their children’s education.

One Democrat the NRCC added to its target list, Jennifer Wexton of Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, represents Loudoun County. Youngkin outperformed Trump in the Northern Virginia suburb by more than 15 points on Tuesday.

NRCC chairman Tom Emmer said inflation and Democratic policies have made Democratic lawmakers vulnerable this election cycle.

“In a cycle like this, no Democrat is safe,” Emmer said. “Voters are rejecting Democrat policies that have caused massive price increases, opened our borders, and spurred a nationwide crime wave.”