House Democrats Hitch Wagon to Warner

Campaign literature sent out by Chuck Caputo, a former Fairfax County School Board member running for an open House seat, greets voters with a large picture of the governor and the candidate sitting side by side. On the back, it reads: "Chuck will continue the sound fiscal policies of Governor Warner which have kept our economy strong and the budget balanced."

Democratic leaders say the strategy will work most effectively where their candidates are running against conservative Republicans.

Caputo is facing Chris S. Craddock, an anti-tax conservative who defeated Republican Del. Gary A. Reese in the June primary.

Democrats also hope to defeat Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick (R-Prince William) and win the seat being vacated by Del. James H. Dillard II (R-Fairfax).

"People love the governor, both Democrats and Republicans," Caputo said, adding that Warner attended a fundraiser for him that packed 175 people into a suburban home last month. "As a Democrat, it has been an enormous help to be able to invoke his success and popularity."

But some political observers have questioned the Democratic strategy, noting that Kaine, not Warner, is at the head of this year's ticket.

"Warner is not on the ballot," said Larry J. Sabato, a professor of political science at the University of Virginia. "It's a good tactic, but only if Warner can link to Kaine. It's going to have to be an indirect link to Warner, through Kaine."

Republicans say it will take more than Warner's popularity and memories of last year's budget fight to defeat key GOP candidates.

In control of the General Assembly since 1999, the Republicans say they have their own record to run on, plus the set of policy initiatives, which also includes ideas on holding down the cost of Medicaid.

The set of GOP initiatives "gives the party a sense that it is part of a team that is advancing a common policy agenda," said Del. William R. Janis (R-Goochland). It also solidifies the party's identity, he said.

Republicans are targeting the seat being vacated by Del. J. Chapman Petersen (D-Fairfax), who ran unsuccessfully in the primary for lieutenant governor.

They are running a veteran of local politics, former Fairfax City mayor John Mason, who has highlighted his years of experience in local government and his knowledge of Northern Virginia's traffic problems. They hope his record, combined with support for the GOP's legislative platform, will help Mason defeat David Bulova, his Democratic opponent.

"We feel very good about John Mason," said Griffith, the House majority leader. "It's an important seat there in Fairfax, and he would add experience to our caucus."

Staff writer Michael D. Shear contributed to this report.