Trump lost Virginia in the election. Trump’s approval rating is 33% in Virginia. According to the people behind this poll, Democrats are more motivated to turn out as a rebuke to Trump. Gillespie himself is not a Trump guy - didn’t even RT Trump’s endorsement. He’s establishment. Pence went instead. I know it’s Newsweak, but it does show just how much enthusiasm Democrats have right now:
http://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-virginia-governors-race-694714
Thank you. That’s a very clear, though depressing, analysis.