I was wondering whether they’d be trying to target some districts, but it looks instead like they’re simply trying to get really big really quickly and let the electoral power develop wherever it happens to develop. Although this might not make a big difference in some districts where elections might be close this year, it has all the potential to become a really powerful organization in the outer suburbs and rural areas of the state where NRA membership tends to be higher, and of course statewide.

I’ve been disappointed with NRA-ILA’s actions at the state level in the past, but it really looks like they’re addressing those concerns now and putting some considerable resources into the effort. Instead of focusing on fundraising, they’re focusing on developing activists and providing them with the leadership and training needed to make a difference. This could end up making a really significant change in Virginia electoral politics, especially if this organization explodes into the tens of thousands of active grass-roots operatives it has the real potential to become.

Don’t be surprised if you start seeing a huge amount of NRA bumper stickers and yard signs popping up next to candidate’s yard signs this year. That might be the only overtly visible indicator that things have changed, but the impact will be pretty tremendous.