Virginia Mercury readers head toward midterms with rising bills and doubts about Washington

Rising bills, concerns about the state of democracy and frustration with both political parties are weighing on Virginia Mercury readers ahead of next week’s midterm elections, with many questioning whether the candidates can deliver the changes they want. 

More than 350 readers responded to The Mercury’s online survey between Sept. 22 and Oct. 17, describing the issues that matter most to them and whether congressional candidates are paying attention. 

The voluntary survey was not a scientific poll, and its findings do not represent Virginia voters as a whole. Many respondents voiced opposition to President Donald Trump alongside concerns about healthcare, food prices and energy costs. 

Longtime Virginia political analyst Bob Holsworth said voters are feeling squeezed on several fronts. 

“I think what happens is that people feel they can’t get a break. And everything keeps moving up,” he said, referring to the rising cost of living. 

Some readers expressed confidence in Democratic candidates, while others criticized the left or questioned whether either party could address their concerns. 

Trump and democracy

Some respondents view the election as a chance to rein in presidential power. 

Ann McMillan of Henrico County in the 1st Congressional District listed her top concern as “Restore checks and balances in national government.”

McMillan also supported all three constitutional amendments on Virginia’s November ballot, which would protect reproductive rights, including abortion access; remove the state’s unenforceable ban on same-sex marriage and guarantee marriage equality; and automatically restore voting rights to people convicted of felonies upon their release from incarceration. 

Richard Sellers, an 11th District respondent who identified rising energy costs as his leading concern, said his own party needed to change course. 

“As a Republican, we need to stop MAGA,” he said, referring to Trump’s Make America Great Again movement. 

Stephanie Fuller of Franklin County worried about allegations that could erode public confidence in elections.

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“I am concerned about the misinformation about election fraud that the GOP and other entities are spreading,” Fuller wrote.

Attorney General Jay Jones recently created a new Voter Protection Section to investigate potential complaints of voter intimidation, improper registration cancellations and other obstacles in voting. 

Healthcare access and costs 

Healthcare was another concern, with some readers backing candidates they believe would improve access and others saying neither party was offering enough. 

State officials estimate that 300,000 Virginians could lose Medicaid coverage next year under new eligibility and verification requirements. 

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland County, joined Democrats in supporting an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, although the measure failed in the U.S. Senate. 

Sheila Blackford, a 5th District respondent, said she trusted Democratic candidate Tom Perriello, who faces Republican U.S. Rep. John McGuire of Goochland, to address the issue. 

“Yes, I believe that Tom Perriello will work to expand health care access and lower prices,” she wrote. 

John Meszaros of Midlothian wants universal coverage and said neither candidate in his district, the 1st, supported it. 

“My main issue is getting universal healthcare coverage for all and neither candidate (Wittman or Democrat Shannon Taylor) speaks to that,” Meszaros wrote.

Meg Heubeck of Waynesboro urged candidates to consider proposals from both parties when addressing healthcare costs. 

“Not just say, ‘no’ to any Republican ideas,” she wrote.

Casandra Oldham, a 10th District respondent, identified her priorities as “disabled adults, specifically level 3 autism.” Asked whether any congressional candidate would effectively address that concern, she answered: “No.”

Government waste and fraud

Readers concerned about government waste and corruption had differing views on whether  a change in congressional leadership would make a difference. 

Mike Harton, a 1st District respondent, expressed confidence in Taylor, who currently serves as Henrico County’s commonwealth’s attorney, but said he considered himself politically open-minded.

“I am an independent, but I’ve never seen the GOP cave so completely to a crazy president,” Harton wrote.

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Thomas Rein, a 2nd District respondent, was critical of both parties. He argued that corruption would persist without changes to the two-party system and doubted candidates would address his concerns. 

“The current system is not sustainable and it’s heartbreaking to see the amount of lies being spread from both sides,” he wrote. 

Similar criticism has come from independent 5th District candidate Cooke Costa Harvey, who has blamed partisan divisions for congressional failures and argued that voters need an alternative to the two major parties. 

Food prices and affordability 

Grocery bills were another source of frustration, although readers disagreed about what was driving prices and whether Congress could bring them down. 

A recent statewide survey found that 51% of families with children experienced food insecurity. Food bank leaders have also reported growing demand for assistance. 

Skye Whitcomb of Richmond believed Democratic U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, the 4th District incumbent running for another term, would try to address affordability but doubted she could make much difference soon. 

“I feel McClellan will attempt to do so, but the damage has been done, and there’s not much she can do in the short term,” Whitcomb wrote. 

Skip Ressel of Franklin County in the 9th District criticized the far left and predicted prices would fall once the Iran war ended. He argued that the costs were justified by the need to confront Iran’s nuclear ambitions. 

Wally Bunker, a 7th District respondent, named higher food prices as his top concern but doubted any congressional candidate could effectively address them.

He still plans to cast a ballot Nov. 3. 

“A vote is the only way to hope things change. If you don’t vote, you have no right to complain,” Bunker wrote. 

Energy costs and data centers

Higher electricity bills and the growth of data centers also drew concern from readers. 

In a rare bipartisan move, lawmakers from both parties have recently proposed moratoriums on data center development, citing noise, electricity demand, water consumption and other environmental impacts. Industry supporters and electrical workers warn that restrictions could cost jobs and tax revenue.

Data center moratorium bills stack up ahead of Virginia legislative session in January

Sarah Ovink of Montgomery County in the 9th District identified rising energy costs as her biggest worry. She supports Democratic candidate Joy Powers. 

“Yes, Joy Powers addresses this concern. The incumbent does not,” Ovink said, referring to Republican U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith of Salem.

Fuller, who also prioritized energy costs, said the Democratic candidate in her district would consider how decisions in Virginia would affect Virginians rather than follow the MAGA agenda. 

Diana Diehl of Loudoun County in the state’s 10th District selected data centers as her top issue and expressed confidence that her congressional candidate would address it. She also worried about “the effect the president and his administration’s poor governing is having on Northern Virginia, the state, country and world.”

Tony Dunsworth of Essex County, located in the 1st District, doubted candidates could do much about rising energy costs. 

“Too many other forces at hand,” he wrote. 

Still, he considered participating in the election worthwhile. 

“Voting is our way to speak directly to those who govern us,” Dunsworth wrote. 

Holsworth, the political analyst, said many voters were struggling to find political leaders who represented their interests. 

“I think there’s a disenchantment with what’s going on, because people don’t know who’s speaking for them,” he said. 

But he suggested that frustration could bring people to the polls rather than keep them home. 

“They’re giving it something like a final shot in this election. People think the system is broken because it’s not serving them very well,” Holsworth said. 

Election Day is just over a week away. Early voting ends Oct. 31. If you haven’t voted yet, read The Mercury’s voter guide to learn more about the races, candidates and constitutional amendments that are on the ballot.