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.

Virginia's 17th District, in the Roanoke area, has an open seat with the retirement of Bill Frain. The Democratic candidate is Gwen Mason, a member of the Roanoke City Council. Her opponent is Bill Cleaveland, an attorney in Botetourt County. You will note that Mason has outraised Cleaveland 2:1, and has 2 1/2 times the bucks on hand.

Mason (As of August 31)

Total raised for this race $ 162,300
Raised in July & August $ 76,300
On Hand for Final Push $ 83,100

Major contributors include Consumer Litigation Associates, the Virginia House Democratic Caucus and Warner and Barbara Dalhouse

Cleaveland

Total raised for this race $ 81,600
Raised in July & August $ 27,300
On Hand for Final Push $ 34,600

Major conributors include Cleaveland to himself and Frain for Delegate

(Dave Sagarin, September 18, 2009)