Chopra, Herring Win Straw Poll at Mount Vernon Dems Fundraiser

President Obama’s former chief technology officer Aneesh Chopra won a straw poll for the Democratic nomination for Virginia’s lieutenant governor among Democratic volunteers at the Mount Vernon District Democrats Mardi Gras fundraiser Saturday at Don Beyer Volvo in Alexandria. State Sen. Mark Herring (D-33rd) won the straw poll for attorney general.

In the straw poll for attorney general, Herring, who represents parts of Loudoun and Fairfax Counties, drew 128 votes, and 108 votes were cast for Justin Fairfax, an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (Alexandria) in the Major Crimes Unit, where he prosecutes federal criminal offenses, including violent crimes, gang activity, currency smuggling and fraud.

The results of the straw poll for lieutenant governor were 148 votes for Chopra and 61 votes for Sen. Ralph Northam (D-6th), a Virginia physician and state senator who represents parts of Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

The Democratic Primary is scheduled for June 11.

The straw poll could be an early indicator of the preferences of Democratic volunteers in Fairfax County. During Saturday night's fundraiser, candidates made a three-minute presentation, followed by a vote by paper ballot. Candidates were collecting signatures on their petitions and recruiting committee members to support their campaigns. 

Attendees heard brief speeches by state elected officials including state Senators Toddy Puller (D-36th) and Adam Ebbin (D-30th) and Delegates Mark Sickles (D-43rd), Scott Surovell (D-44th), and Rob Krupicka (D-45th).

“This precinct, where we are now, could vote 75 to 89 percent Democratic if you get out the vote,” Surovell told volunteers. “If you don’t work hard this fall to get out the vote, it could go 60 percent Democratic. In a statewide election, we need all the Democratic votes from these precincts to make sure we win at the state level.” 

Former Democratic National Committee chair Terry McAuliffe is the only Democratic candidate who has announced his bid for Virginia governor.