“Win on economics, not culture,” Republican consultant Bruce Haynes said. 

-- Virginia's economy is very good. They are number one on the volume of government contracts, defense contracts, and massive amounts of military people to contribute (who likely don't vote in Virginia). It would be hard to run on economy alone. The DC metro area probably did turn out in droves against Trump -- we know they didn't like him. Our GOP is surrounded by this over half the year -- they are probably influenced by liberal thinking?