“Why do people think I have to concede? I WILL NOT CONCEDE,” wrote Manga Anantatmula, the Virginia Republican who lost to Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D) last weekby 43 points and nearly 170,000 votes.
“Please donate what you can to help me in my battle against potential fraud!” wrote Leon Benjamin, who lost to Rep. A. Donald McEachin (D-Va.) by more than 22 points and 89,000 votes, according to unofficial returns
“We must defeat those who will lie, cheat, and steal to win an election at any cost,” wrote Rep.-elect Bob Good — who won his own race in central Virginia but is supporting President Trump’s effort to challenge the national results.
Their claims are part of a cacophony of doubt that Republicans have sown in the election since Trump lost to President-elect Joe Biden. Across the region, some losingcandidates have yelled “stop the steal” with pro-Trump protesters. Some, like Benjamin, are raising money for their own “legal defense” (though Benjamin said in a statement he will return the donations if it turns out he has no actionable case).