Photos From the Campaign Trail: Independence Day Edition

Politics

Photos From the Campaign Trail: Independence Day Edition

Parades in Virginia and West Virginia as captured by Roll Call’s photographers

Sen. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., chats with Little Miss 4th of July before the start of the July Fourth parade in Ripley, W.Va., on Wednesday. (Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call)

Posted July 5, 2018 at 2:04pm

Soaring temperatures continue to grip the country this week, but that didn’t stop lawmakers and congressional hopefuls from hitting the July Fourth parade circuit Wednesday. And Roll Call’s photographers were there.

In Virginia’s 10th District, Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock and her Democratic opponent, state Sen. Jennifer Wexton, both marched in the Independence Day parade in historic downtown Leesburg. The Toss-up race between the two is among the most competitive in the country — a must-hold for both parties in their respective quests to retain or win back the House.

Meanwhile in West Virginia, incumbents and challengers showed up for the self-described “largest small town Independence Day celebration” in the country in Ripley. The parade also witnessed a momentary truce between the leading candidates in the state’s Toss-up Senate contest — Democratic incumbent Joe Manchin III and Republican state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.

Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., shakes hands with the crowd in the Leesburg Independence Day Parade in Leesburg, Va., on July 4, 2018. Comstock facing Democrat Jennifer Wexton for Virginia's 10th Congressional district seat. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) — Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., shakes hands with the crowd Wednesday at the Leesburg Independence Day Parade in Leesburg, Va. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

UNITED STATES - JULY 4: Jennifer Wexton shakes hands with the crowd in Leesburg, Va., as she participates in the Leesburg Independence Day Parade on July 4, 2018. Wexton is challenging incumbent Republican Barbara Comstock for Virginia's 10th Congressional district seat. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) — State Sen. Jennifer Wexton shakes hands with the crowd Wednesday at the Leesburg Independence Day Parade in Leesburg, Va. The Democrat is challenging Comstock for Virginia’s 10th District seat. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

A supporter of Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., holds up a flag and Comstock fans at the Leesburg Independence Day Parade in Leesburg, Va., on July 4, 2018. Comstock facing a Democrat Jennifer Wexton for Virginia's 10th Congressional district seat. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) — A Comstock supporter holds up a flag and campaign fans at the Leesburg Independence Day Parade in Leesburg, Va., on Wednesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Jennifer Wexton walks with supporters in Leesburg, Va., as she participates in the Leesburg Independence Day Parade on July 4, 2018. Wexton is challenging incumbent Republican Barbara Comstock for Virginia's 10th Congressional district seat. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) — Wexton walks with supporters at the Leesburg Independence Day Parade in Leesburg, Va., on Wednesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

UNITED STATES - July 4: Sen. Joe Manchin, R-W.Va., shakes hands with Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, who is also running for U.S. Senate, before the start of the Ripley 4th of July Grand Parade in Ripley, West Virginia Wednesday July 4, 2018. (Photo By Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call) — Manchin shakes hands with his Republican opponent, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, before the start of the July Fourth parade in Ripley, W.Va., on Wednesday. (Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call)

UNITED STATES - July 4: Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., greets a young girl and offers her a balloon with his name on it before the start the Ripley 4th of July Grand Parade in Ripley, West Virginia Wednesday July 4, 2018. (Photo By Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call) — Rep. Alex X. Mooney, R-W.Va., greets a young girl and offers her a balloon with his name on it before the start the July Fourth parade in Ripley, W.Va., on Wednesday. (Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call)

UNITED STATES - July 4: A man dressed as President Abraham Lincoln waves to the crowd during the Ripley 4th of July Grand Parade in Ripley, West Virginia Wednesday July 4, 2018. (Photo By Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call) — A man dressed as President Abraham Lincoln waves to the crowd during the July Fourth parade in Ripley, W.Va., on Wednesday. (Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call)