SIP#66 - Jim Herring responds to the EPIC RPV Fail

In a post-election discussion, we welcome back guest Jim Herring to analyze Republicans' devastating losses in Virginia's 2025 statewide races, turning the state solidly Democratic. Low Republican turnout—500,000 fewer than Youngkin's 2021 win and 1 million fewer than Trump's 2024 performance—is cited - blaming apathy, anti-Trump fervor, media propaganda, and poor campaigning.

Key factors include an anti-Trump backlash fueling Democratic votes, massive funding disparities (Democrats outspent Republicans dramatically, e.g., $90M for Youngkin in 2021 vs. ~$20M for Sears in 2025), weak messaging, chaotic campaigns, and candidate issues. Herring criticizes uncontested primaries reducing urgency, 23 House seats left unchallenged, and the Republican Party of Virginia's dysfunctional structure, calling for a full-time paid chairman and business-model reform.

Despite the setback, expressed faith-driven optimism, viewing the loss as a wake-up call that could strengthen resolve. Buddy and Jim stress that Virginia and the republic remain worth saving through grassroots effort.

Accompanying their optimism, they promote an upcoming Virginia Tea Party summit (Nov 22, 2025) as a coalition-building opportunity to regroup, energize activists, and fight back effectively.

Tickets for the VATP Winter Summit are still available:
https://vatp.org/event/winter-summit-2025/