Historically, Virginia has never been considered a swing state when it comes to presidential elections. Prior to the 2008 presidential election, the Commonwealth of Virginia has voted for the Republican candidate in every election since 1968. However, that changed in the 2008 election when the state overwhelmingly voted for Democratic candidate, Barack Obama. 

Virginia has shown to be a strongly republican state in the past, but in the 2008 election, 52.62 percent of the vote went to the Democratic candidate. What attributes to this significant change?

“Virginia is a socially and fiscally conservative state, but not a Republican nor Democrat state,” said Robert Denton, professor of communication at Virginia Tech. 
 
In the last four major elections, both federal and state, of the 134 counties and independent cities in Virginia, 67 have consistently voted for the Republican. Only 19 of those counties and cities have consistently voted for the Democratic candidate. This leaves 48 counties that are considered to be ‘swing counties,’ or counties that can be won by either candidate.

“Swing counties can either have a high number of independents or the staunch partisans may feel different amounts of motivation in a particular election,” said Isaac Wood from the Center of Politics at the University of Virginia.

According to Denton, for the last 20 years, at least 33 percent of Virginia voters considered themselves to be independent. Independent voters are those who vote based on individual candidates and issues rather than political party ideology. In the 2009 gubernatorial race, of the 30 percent of independents that came out to vote, 66 percent of them voted for Bob McDonnell.

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Click here to view an interactive map  and see how Va. counties vote.
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Campaigning is key for candidates trying to win the votes of swing and independent voters.  Candidates focus not only on geography but on demographics as well.

“Swing voters are more about demographics (age, sex, income, race, religion, etc.),” said Denton. 

Geographically, many of the swing areas are located near Northern Va., Tidewater and Central Virginia. Candidates who campaign in these areas try to develop their message strategies based on the demographics of these areas in order to appeal to the greatest number of voters. 

“Message strategies are developed through polling, focus groups, etc.,” said Denton. “One starts with the core constituency, then moves to talking about issues in away to garner support,” he said.

Denton said that message topics can be on the same, but candidates learn to talk about the issue in a way that would appeal to the particular voter or groups of voters they are addressing.

“Campaigns will have specific message points related to a series of issues,” Denton said. “However, regional appeals may be different in terms of issue emphasis (transportation in NOVA vs. jobs and education in Southside Virginia).”

The way a candidate talks, dresses or location where he/she campaigns all play a role in garnering support from constituents.

“Candidates try to stress local connections and attributes as well as personal attributes,” said Wood.

Personal attributes of a candidate are what Denton says many swing voters will base their vote on rather than the issues. 

“Genuinely undecided voters will likely decide on candidate qualities such as trust, competence, likeability, etc.” he said. 

Not only do candidates try to win the votes of the swing voters, candidates also try to win the as many votes as they can in the areas that are strongly leaning towards the other candidate.

“When campaigning in an unfriendly area for a party, candidates try to cite his or her ‘independence’ and ‘common sense’ as a way to sidestep the partisan disadvantage,” said Wood.

Another interesting trend that has been seen in Virginia, not only in the last four major elections, but in the last 20 years, is the year after a presidential election, Virginians tend to elect a governor of the party opposite of the party in control of the White House. The only time this did not hold true was during the presidencies of Richard Nixon and Ronald Regan.

In 2004, George W. Bush was elected by both Virginia and the United States in to the White House for a second term, and the following year, Tim Kaine, a Democrat, was elected to office in Virginia.  This trend began after the 1977 presidential election when Democrat Jimmy Carter was elected. The following year, Virginians elected Republican John Dalton to be the new governor.

The trend held true again this year when Republican Bob McDonnell was voted into office the year after Democrat Barack Obama was elected president.

In an article by Dr. Larry Sabato, Director of the Virginia Center of Politics at the University of Virginia, he calls this “the presidential jinx.” Sabato also points out that this trend has happened in New Jersey as well, and this November’s election makes it the sixth consecutive time that the winner of the gubernatorial election has been of the political party opposite the president.

Election trends tend to be short term. Candidates will continue to campaign and win over the swing counties as well as some of the counties that are staunchly Republican or Democrat. Obama did it in 2009, winning over 16 counties and independent cities that had previously voted for Republican candidates and continued to vote Republican in the 2009 Virginia governor’s race.

So while Virginia is population remains fiscally and socially conservative, the last two elections illustrate that the state’s voters base their decisions on the merits of the candidate, rather than voting along party lines. With this knowledge, candidates will have to campaign strategically in order to win over swing areas around the state.

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Information for this project was gathered from the Virginia State Board of Elections website. Results from the last four major elections in the Commonwealth of Virginia  (2004 Presidential election, the 2005 Gubernatorial election, the 2008 Presidential election and the 2009 Gubernatorial election) was gathered for analysis. I used Microsoft Excel to clean up the files so they could be analyzed. I then used a formula to determine the percent of votes each  of the major candidates got for each election. I then used excel to compare the counties that voted for democratic or republican candidates to see how each of Virginia’s 134 counites voted in each of the gubernatorial and presidential elections. I then took the data for each county and lined it up in a spreadsheet to determine if there were any trends. I then made a map with Many-Eyes to show the counties in Virginia that consistantly vote Republican, Democrat or are swing counties.

Click below for links to my spreadsheets:
2004 Presidential election spreadsheet
2005 Gubernatorial election spreadsheet
2008 Presidential election spreadsheet
2009 Gubernatorial election spreadsheet
2004-2009 Election trends spreadsheet
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By Lauren Boehnlein

Recent data released by the FBI shows that crime on Virginia college campuses has risen slightly since 2007. Violent crime, which the FBI classifies as a crime that involves force or threat of force, went up by seven incidents.  Property crime, which is classified as the theft of property or money, increased in the state by 30 incidents.

Upon first glance, the data indicates that Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has the highest amount of both violent and property crimes out of the 21 public universities in the commonwealth.

However, once taking student enrollment at each university in to account, the data indicates that Virginia State University (VSU)   has the highest amounts of both violent and property crime in the state. Additionally, VSU has the highest total for crime overall, with 43.4 incidents per 1,000 students.  According to the FBI Campus Crime statistics, VCU had a 36% decrease in violent crimes between 2007 and 2008, but property crime increased by 8%.

“[There is] an inaccurate perception is that there is a lot of crime at VCU,” said Capt. Grant Warren of the VCU Police. “In comparison to other schools and the state averages, VCU crime rates are relatively low, especially in terms of crimes against persons.”

According to Dr. Robyn Diehl, assistant professor of Criminal Justice at VCU, there are many factors that influence how much crime happens on a college campus, and it is more intermingled than a college having a large or small student population. However, one of the largest factors in campus crime, Diehl said, is the issue of urban vs. rural rather than a large or small campus.

“Large college campuses seem to be in urban areas, and urban areas tend to have higher crime rates than rural areas,” Diehl said.  “Of course, whenever you have a more people in an area, there is more opportunity for positional victims of a crime and perpetrators of a crime.”

Additional factors outside of location play a role in crime on college campuses.  Longwood University police Chief Bob Beach said that alcohol abuse plays a large role in crime on his campus.

“Victims in most cases found that the crime they suffered was in some way connected to a situation where they were intoxicated,” Beach said.

“The student was in control of their senses which left them in a condition to not see this incident coming or stop the incident from continuing.”

Dr. Diehl said college students tend to consume large amounts of alcohol and it diminishes their capabilities to take care of themselves which increases their likelihood of becoming victims of crime.

Of the two types of crimes that are recorded on college campuses, the most common is property crimes. Last year, VCU reported 617 incidents of property crime on and around campus.

“In college classrooms if someone steals a projector or a laptop that is part of that classroom, that counts as property crime,” Diehl said. “College campuses have a lot of buildings that stuff happens to.”

Additionally, she said that students carry backpacks full of expensive things that could get stolen as well as live in residents halls, where people roam up and down the halls, as well as in and out of rooms, which causes things to disappear.

“Most crimes like this are preventable,” Warren said. “Larceny most commonly happens because items are left unsecure and unattended.

Both Beach and Warren said that although the increase of crime being reported has gone up, they see it as a positive thing in their community.

They both say that community policing is becoming a trend on both campuses and is the cause of more crime being reported.”

“[Community policing] empowers our community members,” Warren said. “It has helped VCU to be a forward-thinking, progressive and pro-active community. Members are able to anticipate, recognize and appraise crime risks and problems, and then initiate effective action to prevent it.”

Click here to view the crime data

By Lauren Boehnlein

In the Beginning

Originally born in Vietnam, John Nguyen followed his friend and his love of cars to Richmond 15 years ago. Homeless when he arrived, Nguyen faced hard times before becoming the current owner of Beauty Nails Salon in Midlothian.

“I literally lived under a bridge,” he said. “But all my friends were here and I liked cars, so I came.”

Living in his car in downtown Richmond for the better part of three months, Nguyen still refused to take help from welfare.

“I didn’t want handouts or welfare. I knew I had to find a job to get myself off the streets” Nguyen said.

So that’s what he did. Everyday, Nguyen got up and looked for a job, or did various jobs around the Richmond area. In his search for work, he ended up working at a salon where he learned to become a professional nail technician and how to give manicures and apply acrylic nails.

“This was not the job I set out to do because my passion was cars, but I knew I needed to work for a paycheck to get the things I wanted and I ended up really enjoying what I was doing” said Nguyen.

Life as a Nail Tech

After becoming a professional nail technician, Nguyen decided to move back to Massachusetts to be near his family and continue to excel in this area of cosmetology. While there, he met Kim, the woman who would later become his wife.

“He was my teacher when I met him. I apprenticed with him at a nail salon in Boston for a couple of years,” she said.

Kim and Nguyen married and spent many years moving around the country. They both worked at various nail salons in many states such as Vermont, Colorado, Maryland and Louisiana. After five years of traveling, the couple finally decided to settle down in Richmond.

“My friends still lived here,” Nguyen said, “and the people are nice, I knew Kim would like it here too.”

After re-settling in Richmond, Nguyen spent three years selling cars at Haley Toyota, while working as a manicurist part-time. However, in August 2008, Nguyen became the owner Beauty Nails Salon.

“I apprenticed with John when he came back to Richmond, and I was very glad when he decided to come to Beauty Nails” said Hannah Nguyen, a long-time Beauty Nails employee.

Nguyen and his wife spend many hours a day at the salon, usually working six days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. This keeps them from participating in many events in the Vietnamese community, which Nguyen says they are not very active in. However, it’s not all work and no play for this couple.

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What events and organizations are available for those interested in becoming involved in the Vietnamese community? Listen to a podcast with Cuong Nguyen, the president of the Richmomd Vietnamese Association.
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“We always have new customers who tell us stories and make it interesting for us plus, we like to go fishing and play pool on the weekends,” Nguyen said.

The Hard Work Pays Off

“John is a very hard worker,” said Beauty Nails employee Alex Phan. “He is always the first one here, and the last one to leave. He makes sure everyone does their best work and that all customers are satisfied when they leave.”

Nguyen hopes that it’s that same work ethic he can instill in others, and his own Vietnamese community.

Nguyen says that he continues to pursue his passion of drag racing. Last year, Nguyen competed in the Battle of the Imports Race in Mechanicsville, Maryland. He won second place in the “Best Toyota” category. He credits his ability to be able to work on cars to his strong work ethic.

“If you want something, work for it. If you work hard enough, you can get anything you want,” he said.

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View an audio slideshow from Saigon Gourmet, a Vietnamese Restaurant located in Midlothian. This restaurant, nestled in a strip mall offers traditional Vietnamese cuisine as well as a warm, family atmosphere.”
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By Lauren Boehnlein, Maureen Linke, Christina Rogers

In response to the growing popularity of Virginia farmers markets, Gov. Tim Kaine has designated August 2-8 as Farmers Market Week. Richmond shoppers recognize the importance of purchasing local produce. 

“It supports our community and it’s good to keep things regional. Anytime you can support those around you it’s a good thing” said Jen Poe, a Lakeside Farmers Market customer.

Poe, like many customers, shops at the Lakeside Farmers Market in Henrico County which has only been in operation for two years. However it has seen a steady increase in its customer base and vendors since its opening in 2008.

“People are starting to realize that it’s here, that we’ve since started to establish ourselves, people have started coming out,” said Market Coordinator Julia Dunville.
 
This farmers market is open two days a week and hosts about 10 to 15 vendors per marketing period. Vendors bring their goods to the market from areas around the state including Henrico, Hanover and as far as Warsaw in Northern Virginia.

What Sets Lakeside Apart from the Rest

There are many other farmers markets in the Richmond area, including the 17th Street Farmers Market that is located in Shockoe Bottom, which has over a 100 year history in the Richmond area. But there are certain things that set Lakeside apart from all the rest.

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Evelyn Allen has worked at 17th Street Farmers Market as a vendor for over 65 years.
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“The 17th Street has evolved into things that are more than just produce market, they do the whole festival approach to it,” said Peter Francisco, the owner of the Lakeside Farmers Market. “What makes us different than almost any other market is that we are produce only.”
 
Francisco says that the market is regulated by a provisional use permit from Henrico County that states that they cannot sell arts and crafts or prepared or processed foods.

“We sell strictly things that come off the farm. If it is a processed item, like baked goods, they are regulated by the Virginia Department of Agriculture.”
 
In addition to being a produce only market, Lakeside strives to give back to the community and the local economy.
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 Yasmeen Bey is a vender at Lakeside farmers market as well as the co-owner of Tea Co. She shares her thoughts on how farmers markets contribute to the the local economy. Click here to listen.
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“We focus on economic redevelopment…we are privately owned,” said Francisco. “17th street is funded by the Economic Development Department of Virginia.”

Additionally, the Lakeside market strives to incorporate a more educational aspect to their market. A couple weeks ago, an agricultural extension agent came to show customers how to safely preserve and can foods.
 
“We try to have something of value like that, while it may not be a big production, but people can talk to vendors to get information,” said Sharon Francisco.

Virginia farmers markets offer a variety of local produce not available in grocery stores.

“They have things that you can’t buy anywhere else,” said Wayne Moffett, a shopper who frequents both the downtown and Lakeside farmers markets.
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Lisa Granger, owner of The Fat Goat restaurant in Richmond, and chef Jeff Mosca support the local community by purchasing and serving locally grown food.
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The number of Virginia farmers markets has doubled since 2005, and there are more than 170 statewide. Locals who previously shopped only in grocery stores are taking notice.

“It’s our first time here, we came by because we wanted to see what was available,” said shopper Jane Phillips. “We are actually checking out two today to do a comparison. I feel like fresh food is healthier and supporting the community we live in are reasons everyone should start shopping at the farmer’s markets if they don’t already.”

Farmers Market Week in Virginia

According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), farmers markets help to keep Virginia’s economy strong by helping to sustain working farms. Additionally, the site states that farmers markets in the state have a $55 billion dollar impact on the Virginia economy and have provided over 350,000 jobs.
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Tom Winston, a third generation farmer, feels purchasing local produce is vital not only to the economy but to the health of the community. Pesticide free, naturally grown produce has many other benefits besides taste. Click here to listen.
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Throughout the week, various markets and organizations state-wide are holding various events to celebrate.

“Somebody is going to come do some onsite cooking with some of the produce,” said Dunville.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are sponsoring an Eat Local Recipe Contest in conjunction with Virginia Grown. The only stipulation of the contest is that contestants must use as many locally grown and produced products as possible.

Additional Hyperlinks:
Eat Local Chief Recipes
Local Harvest

By Lauren Boehnlein

When Megan Mudd’s doctor told her that she would no longer be able to drive, the 33-year-old asked her doctor if she was the youngest patient that he had ever had to break that news to. He said yes. Mudd, a mother of two small children, suffers from Usher’s Syndrome which causes blindness and deafness.

“It’s very hard to be a young mom who can’t drive when you have two young children,” said Mudd. “The doctor then told me that there were many people much younger than me who would never even learn to drive. That’s when I decided I needed to do something to help.”

The 2nd Annual Vision Walk

Mudd chose to help by becoming the Walk Chair for the 2nd Annual Richmond VisionWalk. The walk was held at Short Pump Town Center in Richmond, Virginia on Saturday morning. About 300 people came out to volunteer to fight blindness.

“This is a good place to have the walk because it is a nice location and it helps to build awareness in the stores and the community,” said event manager Abigail Adams.

VisionWalk is a fundraiser sponsored by the Foundation Fighting Blindness, a non-governmental agency which raises money to provide treatments and cures for people affected with various diseases that can lead to blindness.

Although many were concerned about the weather after two days of rain in the Richmond area, the sun shined as walkers stood at the starting line at 10 a.m. waiting to begin their 5K walk.

“We had faith in the weathermen,” Adams said. “It turned out to be nice, a great day and a lot of fun.”

Business Sponsors

Several Richmond area businesses were present at the event helping to sponsor VisionWalk, including the Virginia Eye Institute, G3 Systems Inc. and Kohl’s department stores, which had 40 people come out and volunteer.
Lynda Gunn, who works in the Kohl’s district office, coordinated with five stores in the area as well as the district office to recruit volunteers.

“I encouraged people to get involved because this affects me personally” said Gunn, whose child has the degenerative eye disease retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Guiding Eyes for the Blind (GEB), another organization from the Richmond area which raises puppies to be trained as guide dogs for the vision-impaired, also helped sponsor VisionWalk. Over 800 puppies a year are raised in Richmond until they are moved to New York for their formal training.

“It’s good to have the puppies here for those who in the future may need them because they can see that they come from a loving and safe family,” said Margaret Paxton, a GEB volunteer.

The Day’s Events

In addition to the sponsorship booths, there were activities for children and families, which included face-painting, a Moon bounce and a deejay. After the walk was over, many participants and volunteers stuck around to enjoy the sunshine and activities.

“This was my first time at VisionWalk, it is a great event and I hope more people will learn about it and come out next year.” Said Shelby Whitlock, a recent Huguenot High School graduate, who is partially blind. Whitlock participated in the walk and the activities. She and her team member hope to recruit more next year to help support the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

At the end of the walk, it was announced that $50,000 were raised, and self-proclaimed cheerleader Mudd, was the most excited at this number.

“I’m glad we have this event,” she said. “There are people far worse than me that need help.”