by Tyler Arnold
Nearly three-quarters of small business owners in Virginia hope Republicans will come out on top, according to a poll conducted by the small business network Alignable.
According to the poll, 73 percent of small business owners hope Republicans will control both chambers of Congress. Less than one-fifth of business owners, about 18 percent want to see Democrats control both chambers. Another 4 percent are hoping for split control of Congress and about 6 percent chose none of the above.
Small businesses in the commonwealth were more likely to support Republican control than the national average. Among small business owners polled in the country, 62 percent are hoping for Republican control, 19 percent are hoping for Democratic control, 6 percent want split control and another 13 percent chose none of the above.
Republicans had more than 50 percent support from every industry represented in the poll. The highest level of Republican support was in manufacturing, with 86 percent supporting the party, the second highest was agriculture with 80 percent, and the third highest was transportation with 78 percent.
Every House seat is on the ballot, with Virginia determining the outcome of 11 of the 435 races. The two most competitive races in the commonwealth are the 2nd District and the 7th District. In the 2nd District, Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria is running against Republican challenger Jen Kiggans, who serves in the state Senate. In the 7th District, Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanbergeris running against Republican challenger Yesli Vega, who serves on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors.
There are 34 Senate seats that will be decided on election day, but neither of the commonwealth’s two senators are up for reelection.
Democrats currently hold narrow control of the House. The Senate is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, but Vice President Kamala Harris holds the tie-breaking vote, which gives Democrats control of the chamber.
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Tyler Arnold reports on Virginia and West Virginia for The Center Square. He previously worked for the Cause of Action Institute and has been published in Business Insider, USA TODAY College, National Review Online and the Washington Free Beacon.
Photo “Small Business Owner and Assistant” by Andrea Piacquadio.
