Jackson Miller was elected last year on the immigration issue among others - an issue that didn’t really mature into a make or break election issue until this year. What that means is that Miller was in touch enough with his electorate that he didn’t HAVE to change positions and ape his opponent in a vain attempt to get on the voters’ side. That’s what wins elections, not the lame accusations that passed for Rishell’s attack campaign. Actually Rishell’s came off more like your’s above (Jackson Miller responsible for all the growth in Manassas?!?) No wonder you thought she had a chance.

Wow, now that’s the absolute BEST example of “a pot calling the kettle black” that I’ve EVER seen….:)

And RFC, that’s must be some good stuff you’re on.

In the age of “targeting” the costs of campaigns are going up because more consultants and vendors have dug in so they must be handed a big piece of the pie. They have become like big government programs in that while they spend loads more money overall, no significant additional dollars and not much more in terms of real services are making it out onto the ground in real grassroots activities real it REALLY COUNTS.

I just can’t believe that the big donors have not yet figured out this giant scam perpetuated by all the political consultants and their wholly owned marketing companies that have a stranglehold all on this “no bid” business. If this was any other type of business, people would be going to jail.

(400K!!!! combined expenses. Watch out, pretty soon we will
be talking about real money to run for the HOD. And
this is for a two year job paying less than 18K per year.)

In the county part of the district he is a policeman. As a former LEO I can assure you that (other than maybe a mailman) a beat officer gets to know the community where he is working inside and out, better than anyone.

I have gotten to know him at kids pickup after school. He comes off as a great guy. He convinced me to vote for the first time in several years, and he turnrd me on to this blog. He gets our households vote for years to come.

- Before we examine the trees, we should step back
and look at the forest — a combined 400K spent on
a campaign that includes the cities and a sliver of PWC?
400K! Wow. Manassas City Council seats have been
recently won with less than 5K being spent. Triple that
to cover the wider area and you are still looking at
15K. Spending is getting out of hand for state contest.
(When PACs etc. give a candidate big $$ - logic
indicates they expect something in return and that
may well not be in the interest of us average citizens.)
- You noted Rishell’s major donors — How about Millers?
- You are right, some of Jeanette’s attack mailings did
cost her votes. Anybody with a bit of common
sense could have told her that - Miller’s weak spot
was support of the “abuser fees”, not phantom
“pay increases”.
-What was the cost per vote for each candidate?
- Finally - 400k!!!!

I understand why the democrats gave Rishell money in August, but by October it was clear Jackson had a solid lead, mostly because people were mad at Rishell. What made the Democrats think another $1,000 could undue the damage caused by the last $1,000, let alone allow Rishell to pull ahead.

Early money I understand, but the late money shows a woeful understanding of the dynamics of this race.

It’s therefore not surprising that Dems would pour money into a seat against a one-year incumbent. What is surprising is that they would do so in a district with the 50th’s demographics and political history.