As Republicans in Virginia’s 5th District struggle to keep its open U.S. House seat, a New York Times/Sienna College poll released on Monday gave them cause to worry: Democrat Leslie Cockburn, filmmaker and television journalist, held a lead of 46 to 45 percent over Republican Denver Riggleman.
The margin of error was +/- 4.6 percent.
Earlier this year, Virginia-5 (Charlottesville) began to draw national attention when Republican Rep. Tom Garrett revealed he was an alcoholic and would retire to seek attention with his problem. Local Republicans promptly nominated Riggleman, who owns a distillery and was formerly a U.S. Air Force intelligence officer. A staunch conservative, he has vowed to join the House Freedom Caucus if elected.
First-term office-seeker Cockburn (pronounced “CO-burn”) is one of four Democratic U.S. House nominees in the Old Dominion State who has outraised the Republican opponent. She has so far campaigned as an unabashed liberal, a believer in climate change, and as a strong advocate of national health insurance.
Reviewing the tight contest, former Rep. Tom Davis, R.-VA, a former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, told Newsmax: “Riggleman fits the district better. He’ll be fine in the end.”
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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