{"id":2636432,"date":"2026-07-28T07:29:03","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T11:29:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/virginia-republican-hopes-campaign-album-strikes-a-chord-with-voters\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T07:34:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T11:34:38","slug":"virginia-republican-hopes-campaign-album-strikes-a-chord-with-voters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/virginia-republican-hopes-campaign-album-strikes-a-chord-with-voters\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia Republican hopes campaign album strikes a chord with voters"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fvirginia-republican-hopes-campaign-album-strikes-a-chord-with-voters%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2636432&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>In a unique campaign approach amid a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/americans-who-have-worse-finances-since-biden-was-elected-overwhelmingly-blame-democrats\/\" title=\"Americans Who Have Worse Finances Since Biden Was Elected Overwhelmingly Blame Democrats\">highly polarized political environment<\/a>, Republican candidate Philip Harding from Virginia\u2019s 7th District has released a full album of reimagined classic songs to connect with voters. Harding, a first<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/arizona-house-minority-leader-to-step-down-for-harvard-kennedy-school\/\" title=\"AZ House minority leader resigns for Harvard Kennedy School.\">-generation college graduate<\/a> and entrepreneur, aims to convey his campaign messages-focused on empowering businesses, strengthening families, and addressing the national debt-through music inspired by bands like Beastie Boys, Linkin Park, and Bon Jovi.The songs incorporate lyrics about entrepreneurship, community life, and Virginia\u2019s local realities, fostering a personal and relatable connection with constituents. harding emphasizes that music allows him to reach people on a different emotional level than traditional campaigning, advocating for unity, hope, and the belief that Americans can shape their future. He is running for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/susan-wright-heading-to-runoff-election-for-texas-congressional-seat-previously-held-by-late-husband\/\" title=\"Susan Wright heading to runoff election for Texas congressional ... previously held by late husband\">seat previously held<\/a> by Abigail Spanberger and hopes his musical approach will resonate across all ages, showcasing the importance of community, family, and the American Dream in his message.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a campaign landscape saturated with attack ads and political polarization, Republican congressional candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.philiphardingforcongress.com\/\">Philip Harding<\/a> is trying something different. Instead of launching another policy rollout, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLVY5RDmG3m48\">Harding released a full album<\/a> of reimagined classics that weaves together his campaign message with lyrics about entrepreneurship, family, and life in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4533130\/philip-harding-republican-entrepreneur-virginia-7th-district\/\">Virginia\u2019s 7th Congressional District<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat if we created an album and told the message through song and connected with people at the heart?\u201d Harding told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=lqI1idsqAHM\">in an exclusive interview<\/a>. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to get the message out, tell the story of Virginia\u2019s 7th, and also reach people about these important messages.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4665419\/virginia-republican-philip-harding-campaign-album\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Virginia Republican Philip Harding hopes campaign album strikes a chord with voters<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4665346\/cori-bush-debate-stage-wesley-bell-primary-election-nears\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Cori Bush dodges debate stage as socialist eyes comeback<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4665412\/dccc-candidates-2026-red-to-blue-midterms\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DCCC adds five candidates to 2026 \u2018Red to Blue\u2019 midterm roster<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A first-generation college graduate and entrepreneur, Harding is running for the seat previously held for three terms by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iAYw2LrULX4\">Gov. Abigail Spanberger <\/a>(D-VA). He faces <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/ricksmithersforcongress.com\/\">Rick Smithers<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dougforvirginia.com\/\">Doug Ollivant<\/a> in the Aug. 4 Republican primary. Harding, a drummer and former DJ from a musical family, hopes the music will help Virginia voters connect with his campaign.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\">Philip Harding Facebook<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/07\/localimages\/Philip-Harding-Family-05.jpg?w=696&#8243; height=&#8221;628&#8243; width=&#8221;1024&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Philip Harding Facebook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMusic\u2019s been a big part of my life. It touches people in a different way,\u201d Harding explained. \u201cWe want to inspire and encourage people that you can still live your dream. This is still the country of dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The music draws inspiration from the Beastie Boys, Linkin Park, and Bon Jovi. Harding said he wanted to create a campaign theme people of all ages could rock out to while also delivering his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4529490\/philip-harding-virginia-seventh-district-republican-abigail-spanberger-seat\/\">core campaign message<\/a> to Virginia voters: empowering businesses, strengthening families, and tackling the national debt.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt touches on all the pillars of our campaign as well, like strong families,\u201d Harding said. \u201cIf we can strengthen families, we can solve most of the issues in our society. \u2026 This is still the country of dreams, and you can still live it out.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That focus on families and community is echoed throughout the album. In one verse, Harding sings, <em>\u201cCrime falls when purpose rises high. Hope grows when fathers stay nearby,\u201d<\/em> reflecting his belief that stronger families are key to addressing broader societal challenges.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\">Philip Harding Facebook<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/07\/localimages\/Philip-Harding-signs-e1785206502194.jpg?w=696&#8243; height=&#8221;944&#8243; width=&#8221;1024&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Philip Harding Facebook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Harding also wanted the album to sound unmistakably Virginian. The lyrics reference the daily realities of life across the Commonwealth, from long commutes to naming communities throughout the 7th District. He sings in one verse, <em>\u201cPeople work hard, but you\u2019re falling behind. Stuck on 95 just wasting time. Stafford dads with startup plans. Prince William moms with side hustle brands, Fredericksburg dreamers building online, Culpeper farmers up before sunshine.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Harding describes the album as a collaborative project shaped by the people he hopes to represent.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s been great to get feedback from actual residents in the seventh, to tweak the lyrics and change the song,\u201d Harding said. \u201cWe\u2019ve had lots of different versions and edits, and so it\u2019s really cool to be a collaborative project as well.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Harding said the album is ultimately about encouraging voters to believe they can shape the country\u2019s future and fall in love with being American again. The closing tracks challenge listeners with the lyric, <em>\u201cYou are what America needs. Go make it happen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4529490\/philip-harding-virginia-seventh-district-republican-abigail-spanberger-seat\/\"><strong>PHILIP HARDING ANNOUNCES RUN AS REPUBLICAN FOR ABIGAIL SPANBERGER\u2019S OLD CONGRESSIONAL SEAT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs we\u2019ve listened and observed and talked to people about the real issues that they\u2019re facing, it\u2019s just really the heart of it,\u201d Harding said. \u201cMusic can communicate in a different way than just a campaign speech or putting out another statement. It\u2019s about being able to connect with people at the heart.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2025, Spanberger won the district over former <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4658574\/winsome-earle-sears-return-tour-abortion-gay-marriage-amendments\/\">Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears<\/a> by a margin of 57% to 42%. Whoever wins the Republican primary will face incumbent Democratic <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4472881\/virginia-congressional-democrats-back-redistricting\/\">Rep. Eugene Vindman<\/a> in November. Republicans believe Virginia\u2019s 7th District is their best opportunity to flip a seat. Since <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4462436\/virginia-dan-helmer-house-seat-redistricting\/\">Vindman initially launched his campaign in the 1st District<\/a> because he expected the redistricting referendum to take effect, Republicans hope voters will be less than pleased that the Democrat was prepared to run in a different district.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lqI1idsqAHM?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Harding uses music to connect with Virginia voters<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2745,"featured_media":2636433,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Philip-Harding-Family-Feature-image.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[4087,3863,3911,5468,4223],"class_list":["post-2636432","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-campaign","tag-music","tag-republican","tag-virginia","tag-voters"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Philip-Harding-Family-Feature-image.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636432","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2745"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2636432"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636432\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2636440,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636432\/revisions\/2636440"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2636433"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2636432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2636432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2636432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}