I don't even think a Sanders-style candidate would do that bad in NoVa. Aren't most of these wealthy people in NoVa tech or government workers? They're surprisingly friendly to a left-wing agenda. Even the tech sector's priorities line up more with Democratic policies than Republican policies (and let's not forget social conservatism which is extremely toxic there). Sanders might collaps in more traditional suburbs or wealthy places where people work in finance/higher management but he'd do just fine in tech suburbs and NoVa.
I think Republicans' best bet is to nominate a more moderate conservative like Kasich who can appeal to NoVa and get 40% or so there while running up the margins in the rest of the state (basically Romney 2012 with a swing of 2% to the Republicans). Maybe an election focused on national security helps. But I don't think Virginia will vote Republican again in the near future.
Sanders opposes free trade , and supports drastically raising taxes.
Those places are more Establishment Liberals then just being left wing.
The executives are, Sanders would definitely lose Atherton and other elite villages (they mostly went for Romney already). But you average Google worker who earns $125k but only keeps $45k after taxes, rent and college debt repayments (with the latter two being the main factors) is surprisingly left-wing. I believe Sanders actually outraised Hillary in Silicon Valley. Maybe a more socially liberal Republican could make some inroads if he/she faces a more populist Democrat (especially in fundraising) but I don't believe those places will go Republican automatically if they just praise Uber long enough (which some Republicans seem to think). Perhaps tech workers will grow more conservative once they buy their own home and/or fully repay their college debts.
Virginia PVI was only +4 Dem this cycle and that was with
- an Establishment Democrat and an Vice Presidential Candiate from Virginia
- A republican candidate who is a terrible fit for the state
In my opinion, Kasich wins Virginia by 2-3 points(wins nationally by 6.5-7 points) .
Against Bernie i think Rubio wins VA as well , and if it was against Trump , Bloomberg runs third party and probably wins NOVA.
