Politics always matters to the politicians. "We obviously think we're the center of the universe," said Ed Matricardi, executive director of the Republican Party of Virginia. But this year, by many accounts, politics in Virginia really does matter.
Pitted against each other this year in the race for the Senate are two former Virginia governors, George Allen (R) and current U.S. Sen. Charles "Chuck" Robb (D).
The Robb-Allen race and several close House races could make Virginia a pivotal state in determining which way the balance of power in Congress will swing and could give the winning party a chance to implement policies of interest to the people of Virginia.
Clash of the Titans
One reason the Virginia Senate race has garnered so much national attention this year is because the race is between two longtime public figures, Robb and Allen. For the people of Virginia, Matricardi said, it's a "clash of the titans."
Robb and Allen both were particularly influential governors. Robb's election in 1981 ignited a series of victories for Virginia's Democrats, while Allen implemented programs such as the Standards of Learning test, a series of standardized tests that Allen implemented while governor to measure how students are learning from year to year.
According to Larry J. Sabato, professor of government and foreign affairs, Virginia has historically been a Conservative state, which made Robb's win significant in Virginia history.
It was "a huge shot in the arm for Virginia Democrats," said Craig Beiber, executive director of the Democratic Party of Virginia.
From 1981 until 1993, Democrats did not lose a governor's race. They also won the Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General spots, giving them control of the top three seats in the state government.
But the Democratic resurgence did not last. Virginia will enter the 2000 election with Republicans in all three top state offices, a Republican dominated legislature and congressional districts split between the two parties.
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Much of the credit for what Matricardi termed the "Republican renaissance" has gone to George Allen, who ended the Democratic winning streak.
In 1993, Allen ran what Democrats called an aggressive campaign, effectively framing the debate around his "abolish parole" slogan and defeating Mary Sue Terry (D) for governor.
Current Governor James S. Gilmore III (R) followed his lead, using the "no car tax" to win over Don Beyer (D) in 1997.
According to Republicans, however, recent GOP wins can be attributed to changing demographics in the state. In Virginia, the suburbs are accounting for an increasingly larger percentage of the electorate. Allen appealed to suburban voters, who are traditionally conservative, Matricardi said.
Allen also gained support from rural segments of the population that were becoming more conservative, he said.
Robb's vulnerability
Although the voting population of Virginia has leaned more toward the GOP over the past decade, Robb has become more liberal since his term as governor ended.
Virginia's conservative orientation has made Robb the "most vulnerable incumbent," running for Senate, said Paul Freedman, assistant professor of government and foreign affairs.
Robb's threatened seat has made for an interesting election.
"It's always a big deal when incumbents lose," Freedman said. "Incumbents don't do well if they are challenged by statewide office holders who are well financed and have name recognition and a base of support."
And Allen has all of those qualities, he said.
Although the race is already complex, Freedman said the lack of a third candidate also plays a role in the upcoming election.
Freedman said he believes that it is possible that Robb is now facing vulnerabilities that were muted because of the presence of a third candidate in his last race.
In the 1994 campaign against Oliver North (R), third party candidate Marshall "Russell" Coleman split the vote, and Robb won without receiving 50 percent of the vote.
Balance of power
This year, with the race between only two candidates, Robb needs a win to secure a chance for Democrats to take over the Senate, Matricardi said.
The balance of power in both the House and the Senate is in question this year, and Virginia may provide the deciding seats.
This race is important for the national government, not just for Virginians. "It's all about the letter that follows the name," Sabato said, adding that the party identification of the candidate is the most important outcome of this race.
The importance of this and other elections shows that the Democrats are "within striking distance" of gaining control of the Senate, Freedman said.
Currently the Democrats hold 46 seats in the Senate. Democrats are vying for seats not only in Virginia but also in Minnesota, Washington, Michigan and Florida, Beiber said.
Matricardi and Beiber both agreed the race is crucial.
"In order for the Democrats to have any mathematical possibility," of winning the Senate, they must win in Virginia, Matricardi said.
"It's very important, very pivotal," said Beiber. He added that the National Democratic Party has called the race a top priority this year.
Key issues
While clashing personalities energize the debates and national attention heightens the suspense, Beiber said Virginians are focused on the issues.
"There are such clear differences between the two candidates," he said, citing abortion, gun safety, the environment and education as major topics.
According to Freedman, tax credits and education reforms are the top issues of concern between the two Senate candidates. Allen's $1,000 tax credit proposal is particularly controversial.
Republicans say that under the tax credit plan, families would have more money to purchase educational tools such as computers or other materials.
Robb does not support a tax credit plan, but instead proposed using the $30 billion dollars that this tax credit would cost the government to improve school conditions by modernizing schools, reducing class sizes and hiring more qualified teachers.
Robb has argued that Allen's tax credit plan would only benefit the wealthy because only people in higher income brackets are eligible to receive tax credits.
Virginia Senator John Warner (R) supports Allen's tax credit proposal and offers amendments that he says would enable families with lower incomes to benefit from the tax credit as well.
Robb also openly criticized the Standards of Learning program.
According to Allen, the SOL is designed to improve student performance and make public schools more accountable for poor student performance.
In a Washington Post article, Robb openly criticized the SOL, saying he believes that it creates unnecessary anxiety among teachers, parents and most importantly, students. Robb said he believes that the SOL tests are flawed because they rely on straight memorization rather than the students' true ability to learn.
Race for the House
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Although well publicized, the senatorial race is not the only election that matters to Virginians.
Matricardi and Beiber agreed that the races for Virginia's seats in the House of Representatives are also important.
"It's every bit as much of a possibility" that Democrats could take control of the House as they could the Senate, Beiber said.
Virginia's three open districts -- the First, Second and Seventh -- could provide some important wins for the Democrats, Beiber said.
Matricardi agreed that Virginia was "key for Republicans to holding onto the House of Representatives."
Beiber said he believes that the Second District, representing the Virginia Beach area, will remain Democratic. The district, which is located in the Virginia Beach area, was held by Owen Pickett (D), who is retiring after 18 years.
But even though the Second District has long been Democratic, Matricardi said that is about to change. Jody Wagner (D) and Ed Schrock (R) are vying for the Second District seat.
"The area has been trending more and more conservative," he said, adding that a majority of the seats for the Virginia House of Delegates from that district have gone to Republicans.
"It's a prime opportunity for a pick up," Matricardi said.
While the second district is the most important for Democrats, Beiber said there are also close races in other districts.
"We have a shot in the First District," he said. The First District represents the Virginia Beach area as well. The race in the First district is between Lawrence Davies (D) and Jo Ann Davis (R).
While he described the race in the Seventh District, representing central Virginia and Richmond, as close, he said, "it's the most conservative district in the state." Tom Bliley (R) will retire after the election.
The Seventh District seat will go to either Warren Stewart (D) or Eric Cantor (R).
Virginians have several reasons to be interested in this year's elections. The balance of power between the Democrat and Republican seats in the House and Senate give this election significant meaning on a national and statewide level.
Clearly political parties have a lot at stake in Virginia. Voters are not only electing state representatives but are electing those who will control policy on a national level.
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