Potential issue here is salience The way Earle-Sears frames it might poll well, but salience of issues changes cycle to cycle Abortion was winner for Dems in 2022, less so in 2024 Education in 2021 and arguably trans in 2024, but maybe not in 2025 Voters concerns change
I think I’d argue that abortion hasn’t really gone away in statewide VA politics. GOP in Va has been pretty hard luck since it became an issue. I think it lingers in the background in people’s minds.
*whispers* MANY low information voters also decide what issues matter based on media framing….
True although less likely to vote in an off-year election…
Meant in 2021 and 2024, those were better issues for GOP