I just received this from McAuliffe for Governor campaign manager Mike Henry:
We've gotten some preliminary information back about what turnout is looking like, and this thing could come down to the wire. There is a very good chance we'll be re-tabulating votes tomorrow morning. That's why we urgently need your help to mobilize our voters and get them to the polls in the final 2 hours before the polls close at 7 PM.
PLEASE IMMEDIATELY CALL AND EMAIL ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND NEIGHBORS AND TELL THEM TO VOTE FOR TERRY!
There are two things I've just learned that I want you to know about.
First, we're seeing something very important in the turnout numbers. Surge voters - people who voted in the 2008 Presidential Primary, but had never before voted in a primary - are showing up. Just two weeks ago, our opponents said our operation was "a waste of resources on voters unlikely to come out for a June primary." From the data we're seeing, they're just flat out wrong. Surge voters could comprise over 40% of the electorate - and that's great news for Terry. Since day one, we've focused on re-engaging all the people who were drawn into the political process last year. That could pay off big time tonight.
Second, I just talked with Terry a few minutes ago and he's pumped. He's working until the very last minute fighting for every vote - and getting a great response. He's gone to metro stops, lunch spots, polling places - he even held two telephone town halls with thousands of voters across the Commonwealth this afternoon. I promised him that our supporters were going to work just as hard as he is up until the polls close. So please, don't let us down.
Combined with the polling information that Mo sent around earlier, we are well positioned to pull out a victory tonight. But this race could ultimately be decided by a handful of votes. That's why it's so crucial that you get on the phone with everyone you know, and urge them to vote for Terry before 7 PM tonight.
Thanks so much for all you've done. This is the most incredible volunteer-driven effort I've ever seen in a primary campaign. Let's keep it up in these final hours.
Mike Henry
Campaign Manager
