I don't think its reasonable to assume that people or pols are unilaterally the same across the US. Particularly not in VA where the dem majority is "new" and pretty
vulnerable compared to all of the states you just mentioned. In CA a pol could rape a kid and have it on video and get reelected. You can't possibly think that comparing
what goes on in those states is anywhere similar to what might happen in VA.
VCDL has gone between both "soft sell" and "slightly edgy" too, knowing there is a time and a place for everything. Look at the raft of laws changed for the better in whole bunches of states....
I'm going to hazard a guess most of that work wasn't done by some smelly guy in cammo with gravy stains toting a boogerized SKS into his legislator's office...
-Mike