By Maria Rachal
Rockbridge area Democrats and Republicans are mobilizing volunteers, distributing yard signs, and registering voters from their respective headquarters in downtown Lexington. Both groups say voter interest and engagement has been high this year, especially in the presidential showdown between Republican Donald Trump and running mate Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, and Democrat Hillary Clinton and running mate Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine. Party organizers are also getting out the vote at the congressional level, with Republican Congressman Bob Goodlatte, a 23-year incumbent in Virginia’s 6th District, up against Democratic challenger Kai Degner, a former mayor of Harrisonburg. The deadline to register to vote in Virginia is Oct. 17.