In the wake of the Republican Party's election-day defeat, Montgomery County GOP members are looking ahead to better prospects in next year's statewide contests.
"We're keeping the house so we can take back the mansion," at-large member Judy Lynch said.
College Republican Federation of Virginia member Kate Maxwell said that the Governor's mansion was the party's next target.
"In Virginia, there's always a campaign next year. We mourn a little and then get back to work," Maxwell sad.
Maxwell said the loss led to some soul searching.
"Whenever you lose an election, you ask what you could have done better," Maxwell said. "Of course we're all disappointed, we worked as hard as we did and things did not work out."
Montgomery County Republican Party Chair Patty Manthe echoed the disappointed sentiment.
"The country has missed out on an opportunity to utilize John McCain's experience, courage and character," Manthe said. "2009 was a difficult environment for the GOP, we had the financial meltdown which was not the party's fault. Fairly or unfairly we were the party in power at the time."
Manthe said she thought the Republican Party's 2009 statewide candidate slate was strong enough to turn the party's fortunes around.
"I feel bad for the country," Manthe said. "Despite that fact, we really had a good year fundraising, we doubled our active party membership. Bill Bolling and Bob McDonnell are strong candidates."
"Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, Dave Nutter and whoever wins the attorney general nomination are in a really good position in 2009," Lynch said.
McDonnell and Bolling are Republican candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively -- Dave Nutter is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates for the seventh district.
"Dave Nutter represents most of the county, he's a fantastic fellow to have running," Manthe said. "We also have some county Board of Supervisors candidates running as GOP candidates next year who we're very excited about."
The Tech College Republicans were singled out for praise by local Republican leaders.
"I really feel we're in a good position," Manthe said. "Carlin Crowder has done a superb job," referring to the Tech College Republicans chairman.
Maxwell added that the group that pays dues has more than 100 members, and has tripled its membership. She said the female representation at Tech was very good.
"There are a lot of girls there," Maxwell said. "Females are very well represented."
Manthe said the loss may have local Republicans doing some reorganizing, but the political tide will turn their way.
"We're starting out with a good base of enthusiastic people," Manthe said. "It's a great way to get things done."
Lynch said the Republican brand was as strong as ever and she looked ahead to party-building exercises.
"We're having our annual GOP Advance in December," Lynch said. "It's a training session and a wonderful way to get together and put together plans of action."
"The pendulum swings back and forth, I've seen it happen before," Manthe said. "We're having a retreat in Hot Springs, Va., this December where there will be a lot of talk about rebuilding."
Manthe said there would be a nominating convention in May instead of a statewide primary.
Though the pendulum may swing back and forth, Maxwell noted that she thought the party needed to better translate its message.
"We need a clear, focused message," Maxwell said. "We're the party of freedom, we can focus on campus and get across that we can get people jobs after graduation without needing help from the government."