Virginia Democrats target Trump in race to replace Gerry Connolly in Congress

Democrats vying to succeed the late Rep.

Democrats vying to succeed the late Rep. Gerry Connolly in a deep-blue northern Virginia district are zeroing in on one issue: who can best take on President Donald Trump.

In his announcement video, former Connolly chief of staff and Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw said Trump officials threatened to throw him in jail, referring to letters sent to local officials in so-called sanctuary jurisdictions last December that threatened jail time for supporting and enforcing sanctuary laws.

State Sen. Stella Pekarsky’s launch video touts her Greek heritage, which she said helps her “stand up to Donald Trump.” And state Del. Irene Shin said Democrats are running the “same old tired plays” while Trump is “dismembering and defunding our government.”

Trump has played a key role in the race as Democrats go on the offensive over his mass deportation program and Department of Government Efficiency initiative to cut the size of the federal government — in a district full of federal workers, where then-Vice President Kamala Harris beat Trump by 34 points last fall.

Democratic voters head to the polls Saturday following three days of early voting in a party-run special primary that started Tuesday. The winner will be a heavy favorite in the Sept. 9 special general election to fill the remainder of the two-year term Connolly won last year.