Del. Mike Cherry, R-Colonial Heights, is running to be the leader of the House Republican Caucus after Democrats flipped 13 seats Tuesday night. Democrats, however, are targeting Cherry and several other Republicans in 2027 who they believe are now vulnerable.
“We have some serious work to do for Virginia Republicans to win again,” Cherry said in a statement to Virginia Scope on Thursday. “I’m running for Republican Leader and look forward to speaking with my colleagues about how I can best serve to get our commonwealth back on track.”
Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, took over as leader this summer when former Speaker and Leader Todd Gilbert left the House to serve as United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia.
“Leading this caucus requires more than just good intentions, it requires time, relationships, and the ability to raise serious resources in a highly competitive environment,” Kilgore said in a statement Friday. “In just five months, I raised over $5 million in what we all know was a tough environment. I’ve built the trust and networks it takes to compete with national Democrats who are already gearing up for 2027. We need a leader who can hit the ground running, who understands what it takes to build a war chest and an operation over the full cycle.”
Democrats now have a 64-seat majority in the House for the next two years — a feat that even surprised their own leadership.
“Nobody thought we’d get 64 damn seats,” Speaker of the House Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, said during a press conference Wednesday. “I think this message will travel unless the Republicans course correct.”
Democrats feel emboldened, and a source with direct knowledge told Virginia Scope that Cherry, along with at least nine other House Republicans, are targets for flips in 2027.
“Our initial analysis is we will be on offense again,” the source said. “They may elect a minority leader who is literally a frontliner.”
In addition to Cherry, House Democrats are targeting: Dels. Anne Ferrell Tata, Rob Bloxom, Tony Wilt, Madison Whittle, Joe McNamara, Otto Wachsmann, Phil Scott and Wendell Walker.
Democrats are already recruiting candidates to run in these districts.
Del. Tom Garrett, R-Cumberland, told Virginia Scope Thursday that he is running for the caucus chair position currently held by Del. Amanda Batten, R-James City. Batten lost her reelection campaign Tuesday night.