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Four Democrats sought their party’s nomination to challenge Republican Del. John O’Bannon, who represents the Henrico-based 73rd House District. Debra Rodman won the nod. Stop the presses! Only once during his first 17 years in the General Assembly did O’Bannon face Democratic opposition. He seems certain to win in November but the mere presence of partisan competition reflects Democratic confidence and pride. By the way, O’Bannon ranks among the chamber’s most admirable members. The GOP needs more like him. We also applaud Democrats for vigorously opposing him. O’Bannon says he looks forward to a “good, clean” race. So do we.

A recent gathering of Democrats in Hanover attracted a record crowd for an annual event. Hanover remains the most Republican jurisdiction among central Virginia’s populous entities, yet county Democrats no longer wear brown paper bags over their heads. They fly the colors instead.

Chesterfield has grown increasingly competitive. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, Hillary Clinton’s 2016 running mate, explains that Chesterfield’s early reporting of a thin margin for Donald Trump convinced him that his party would carry Virginia long before the state was officially called. The Democratic ticket in Virginia outperformed the Democratic ticket in Minnesota, home of Hubert Humphrey, Eugene McCarthy and Walter Mondale.