Virginia: Democratic race focuses on Trump. Former US Rep. Tom Perriello (D) told The Hill that Virginia can function as a “firewall” against the policies of President Trump. Although his primary foe, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam (D), is equally anti-Trump, Perriello his making his opposition to Trump the theme of his campaign ……. Florida: Parties will defend House incumbents. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced this week that it has named two Florida freshman, US Reps. Charlie Crist and Stephanie Murphy, to its Frontline program, aimed at shoring up potentially vulnerable incumbents. And the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has named freshman Brian Mast to its Patriots program, also designed to protect its vulnerable members ……. Louisiana: Richmond apologizes. After joking about Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway’s kneeling on a sofa (she was taking a photograph), US Rep. Cedric Richmond (D) apologized, saying his remarks were misconstrued. Noting he had long championed women’s issues, Richmond said, “The last thing I would want to ever do is utter words that would hurt or demean them,” reports the Washington Post …….