If you ask me, the process of running for governor in Virginia, it seems to have been designed to make Politico's nervous.

Here's why. Since the mid-1800s, Virginia has held off-year gubernatorial elections.

That means a couple of things.

First, there's no drafting off some popular presidential nominee or superstar senator.

You've got to build your own coalition.

Second, since there aren't that many other elections to talk about, this race is guaranteed

to get a ton of attention. And because the northern tip of this state is nestled right

next to Washington, D.C., you can't hide from the political strategists and journalists who are

looking to divine meaning from your electorate.

This year, the final gubernatorial debate, it was hosted not by some local television anchor or the host of a public radio call-in show.

Good evening. I'm Chuck Todd and welcome to the Virginia gubernatorial debate between Democrat and former Governor Terry McCullough and Republican Glenn Yon.

Instead, it was hosted by Chuck Todd of NBC's Meet the Press.

Thank you. Get that out of the way. We know you're enjoying both.

And with that, let's begin, Mr. Yonkin, your 92nd opening statement.

The people on the stage that night were Democrat Terry McAuliffe,

he served as governor of Virginia four years back,

and Republican Glenn Yonkin.

He has never been elected to anything.

But weirdly, it's working for him.

There's huge amounts of people turning up to Yonken rallies.

So we're seeing this kind of energy on the right.

Ben Pavier is covering this race for VPM in Richmond.

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