A REFERENDUM ON DEMOCRATS IN POWER:

Virginia Republicans expect to make gains (Sarah Abruzzese, 11/02/09, Washington Times)

Virginia Democrats thought incumbent Delegate Dan C. Bowling had a safe seat.

That was before Republican James W. Morefield successfully turned the discussion in their Southwest Virginia coal-producing region into the negative effects of proposed federal cap-and-trade legislation, which would limit companies' carbon emissions.

Now Democrats are fighting to win the race that the political blog Swing State Project has reclassified from "likely Democrat" to a "toss-up."

That story has been repeated across Virginia, as voters awash in weighty national issues have a voice only in state elections this season.