If Democrats can take six additional seats in the House, they will have a one-seat majority in the next term, which will include the excrutiatingly important redistricting of the state following the decennial census. Here's one race to watch, in the attempt to gain six additional House seats.

Robin Abbott is the Democratic candidate in the 93rd (Newport News area) vs. incumbent Republican Phil Hamilton. "Abbott is a consumer advocate and attorney who has lived in Newport News for over two decades and is a partner in the law firm Consumer Litigation Associates, P.C. with offices in Newport News and Fairfax. She is married to Gary Abbott and is the proud mother of four boys."*

Hamilton is under an ethical cloud, having solicited a job at Old Dominion U. several months prior to sponsoring legislation that funded the center there that hired him. Emails proving the job request surfaced after Hamilton had publicly proclaimed that no such solicitation had taken place.

Nevertheless, Hamilton outraised Abbott 2:1 in the recent reporting period, and has nearly double the cash on hand.

Abbott (As of August 31)

Total raised for this race $ 231,600
Raised in July & August $ 68,800
On Hand for Final Push $ 108,400

Major contributors include Consumer Litigation Associates, the Democratic Party - Virginia House Caucus and Leonard A Bennett (Newport News)

Hamilton

Total raised for this race $ 467,900
Raised in July & August $ 137,300
On Hand for Final Push $ 207,200

Major contributors include Friends of Chris Jones, Kilgore for Delegate

(Dave Sagarin, September 18, 2009)