Recent History Terry McAuliffe—Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former head of the Democratic National Committee, and former director of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign—says Republicans in the House of Delegates are not bipartisan enough. McAuliffe castigates them for thwarting Gov. Tim Kaine’s demand for higher road taxes and bigger unemployment benefits. “I’ve got to have a House of Delegates that agrees with me on these big issues,“ he says. But House Republicans “are impossible to deal with.“ Really?

Terry McAuliffe is raising the stakes in his Democratic bid for governor, pledging to drive Republicans from their last stronghold of power in the House of Delegates. “I’ve got to have a House of Delegates that agrees with me on these big issues,“ McAuliffe said at town-hall-type meeting last night in Richmond’s Ginter Park with about 70 supporters.

Amy Frederick, the wife of ousted state Republican Party Chairman Jeffrey M. Frederick, has decided not to run for the Prince William County House of Delegates seat that her husband is vacating. “Today, it is with mixed emotions that I announce my withdrawal from the race to succeed Jeff in the House of Delegates,“ Amy Frederick wrote in an e-mail to supporters and news organizations.

The state Democratic Party, trying to capture a majority in the House of Delegates and hang on to the governorship this fall, is outraising a state Republican Party already readjusting after its leader’s ouster. Democrats had more than $500,000 cash on hand as of March 31, compared with about $70,000 for the GOP, between state and federal reports.

Less than a week after House Republicans thwarted his attempt to extend unemployment insurance to more Virginians, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is taking his fight for additional stimulus funds directly to the people. And while he’s at it, he’s taking another shot at GOP lawmakers. “These are Virginians who are struggling to make ends meet and to keep a foothold in a very difficult economy,“ Kaine writes in an e-mail to the mailing list of his political-action committee, Moving Virginia Forward.

Michael Gage, a Republican small-business owner from Henrico County, plans to file paperwork today to challenge Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, D-Henrico, in the 74th House of Delegates District. The largely Democratic district covers Charles City County and parts of Henrico, Richmond, Prince George County and Hopewell. Gage’s message hinges on job creation, he said.

Michael Gage, a Henrico County small-business owner, plans to run as a Republican challenger to Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, D-Henrico.

A member of Richmond School Board is the first to declare for the House of Delegates seat of retiring Democrat Franklin P. Hall. Betsy Carr, a school trustee since 2006, is outreach director of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, a parish located just outside Capitol Square. Hall announced Friday that he is quitting the House after 34 years to become one of three commissioners who oversee the state’s liquor monopoly.

Cantor endorses Cox in 55th race Hanover County trucking executive John Cox has been endorsed by Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, in the battle for the Republican nomination to run for the 55th House of Delegates district seat. Former Gov. and U.S. Sen. George Allen will headline a fundraiser for Cox on April 28. Cox is the owner of Cox Transportation Services, which is based in Ashland.

Del. John M. O’Bannon III, R-Henrico, announced today that he’s seeking another term representing the 73rd House District, and he’s already facing competition from the left.

Rusty McGuire, one of three candidates seeking the Republican nomination in the 55th House of Delegates district, has been endorsed by six GOP delegates. Dels. William R. Janis of Henrico County, G. Manoli Loupassi of Richmond, C. Todd Gilbert of Shenandoah County, Benjamin L. Cline of Rockbridge County, L. Scott Lingamfelter of Prince William County and David B. Albo of Fairfax County endorsed McGuire, who is an assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Louisa County.

Moving quickly through a crowded calendar, the House of Delegates yesterday voted to expand the death penalty and ban text messaging by drivers and advanced proposals for eight amendments to the Virginia Constitution. Although partisan tempers flared at times, the House completed crossover day in about four hours, unlike Monday, when it deliberated for more than 10 hours. Crossover is the deadline for each legislative body to act on its own bills and send them to the other chamber.

This week Republicans in the House of Delegates promoted legislation to enhance health coverage and delivery for Virginians. The three-bill package includes items (1) to make employee insurance more affordable to small businesses, (2) to encourage the computerization of patient records, and (3) to streamline the permitting process for new or expanded health care facilities.

On Monday a House of Delegates subcommittee cast several significant votes soon after convening at 7 a.m. The early decisions killed bills related to redistricting reform and—ahem—so-called early voting. Please don’t call this perfect timing. We long have argued against gerrymandering—a process that, although dating almost to the Founding, perverts republican government. The artful drawing of district lines in effect allows legislators to decide whom they will represent. The points are to protect incumbents and to maximize partisan advantage.

BY DELS. ALBERT POLLARD AND CHRIS SAXMAN As members of opposite parties in the House of Delegates, we realize that revenue shortfalls know no partisan bounds. While no one could predict Wall Street’s meltdown, we believe that a concrete step to bring greater budget discipline to Virginia is the enactment of annual budgets. For that reason, we are co-sponsoring legislation to change Virginia’s traditional two-year budget to a one-year document.