On Tuesday night, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) won re-election in Virginia, defeating Republican challenger Hung Kao.
Mr. Kaine's seat was considered relatively safe, but Republicans emboldened themselves in the final weeks of the campaign. Democrats shifted money to the state in the weeks before the election as Vice President Kamala Harris' approval ratings slumped.
Harris held the lead in the state as well, but her narrow lead understandably signaled difficulties for Democrats.
While this strategy may be questioned by political historians, it is difficult to see how Democrats could have prevented President Trump from winning as he headed toward election violence.
While recent elections have tilted the state toward Democrats, Gov. Glenn Youngkin's victory in 2021 and Donald Trump's increased approval ratings in the final weeks of the campaign have given Republicans hope. .
Youngkin opposed President Trump's 2024 issue of “wokeness” in schools.
This strategy was one of many factors that gave President Trump long-term victories.
Ultimately, Republicans' hopes in Virginia were dashed in the face of the state's fast-growing Washington, D.C., suburbs, but Republicans hold the Senate and appear on track to gain an even bigger majority. .
“Virginia isn't blue, it's more purple,” Cao tweeted Tuesday night. “Honestly, just like I think winning is insurmountable for us at this point, I think it's insurmountable for Kamala Harris.”
Cao's prediction came true within hours.
Kane had a surprise cameo above saturday night live A few days before election day:
Kane was confused.”SNL” host John Mulaney In the quiz show sketch “What's Its Name: Election Edition” when Mulaney's character is challenged to identify him?
“You voted for me in an election more recent than the release of 'Zootopia,' and I was seconds away from the Oval Office. What's my name?” Caine said.
Kaine was Hillary Clinton's running mate in 2016 and was first elected to the Senate in 2012. He previously served as governor of Virginia and as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
The retired Navy captain, who came to the United States as a child as a refugee in 1975, ran unsuccessfully for the Virginia state legislature in 2022.
Bradley Jay is Breitbart News' Capitol Hill correspondent. Follow him on X/Twitter. @BradleyAJay.
