Sen. R. Creigh Deeds' gubernatorial campaign is shedding staff to help finance a media buy to help him compete for undecided voters in the homestretch before the June 9 Democratic primary.
"As this race approaches primary day and we continue to see the majority of the electorate remain undecided, we've had to reassess our strategy and shift some of our resources," campaign manager Joe Abbey said, in a statement released to the Times-Dispatch this afternoon.
"Just recently, we had to make a tough decision and release a handful of our staff members."
Officials did not specify the number of staffers let go, but said Deeds continues to maintain six offices throughout the commonwealth and has 25 paid staffers.
Dumping staff in the homestretch of a contested primary election is generally not considered a sign of a campaign's financial strength. But with an estimated 45 percent of likely voters still undecided on whom to support, Deeds officials characterized the move as a necessary shift in strategy.
"In a primary with such a high number of undecided voters, the reality is that television is the most efficient way we can communicate with voters," said Abbey.
The statement claims Deeds is the only candidate who can "go toe-to-toe with Terry McAuliffe."
Deeds recently began airing two commercials in the Richmond, Bristol, Roanoke and Hampton Roads media markets, joining McAuliffe, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, as the only Democratic candidates on television in advance of the June 9 primary.
The third Democrat in the race, former Del. Brian J. Moran of Alexandria, has yet to run TV campaign ads.
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