With Joe Biden’s victory in 2019 two years later means midterm elections, and in the Commonwealth of Virginia, this also means a new governor as well as new state house and senate seats up for grabs.
Back in 2019, a blue wave in the Commonwealth of Virginia allowed the democrats to take the state house. Yet, with the midterms quickly approaching it is time to see if this was a one-off or if this Virginia has flipped from a purple state to a blue state.
Looking in Radford University, which is in the 12th house district and 38th senate district represents precisely the change Virginia might be making for the future. While the state senate seat is not up for grabs, the house seat is and Christ Hurst who is a democrat is running for reelection in the 12th district.
Asking a student for their opinion on the up-and-coming election I interview Elyssa Schemehorn, a junior studying psychology at Radford University.
Are you aware that there will be an election for the governor’s seat and the state house seat?
“I’ve seen attack ads for between [Terry] McAuliffe and [Glenn] Youngkin on YouTube. But I haven’t looked at anything they have said or done. And I have seen some ads for Christ Hurst but not his opponent.”
Did you know that Terry McAuliffe was governor of Virginia between 2014 and 2018?
“I remember him from my government class in high school, but we didn’t go in depth on his policies or his previous works.”
Are you currently registered to vote?
“Yes, I am registered to vote here in Radford.”
Lastly, have you met or heard anything about Christ Hurst?
“Yes, I have seen him on campus a few times throughout the years and saw him club fair walking around and talking to some students but I myself didn’t speak to him.”
Thank you for your time, Elyssa.
“Anytime!”
While politics isn’t something that is big on campus targeted ads on YouTube and some outreach on campus to get people registered to vote, it has made more students aware of voting. Even though voter registration has dropped in the City of Radford by 2.48% according to the state's voter registration status it could be because of a drop in students on campus due to COVID-19.
