Kaine may give Democrats an edge in swing-state Virginia

(AP) — Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine's name on the Democratic ticket can realistically nudge the pivotal state closer into Hillary Clinton's column — no small feat in a contest of two presidential nominees that engender strong feelings by themselves.

Kaine's rise through Richmond city politics and tenure in state government gives the party disproportionate pull, specifically in the politically dynamic capital city metro area.

[...] while Clinton's aides try to downplay his potential impact on the must-win state, strategists in both parties say Kaine can put Virginia out of Republican Donald Trump's reach in the race for 270 Electoral College votes.

In Virginia, Clinton leads Trump in polls of likely voters, more narrowly than in polls that also ask about Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson and Green Party candidate Jill Stein.

Kaine's support for some abortion restrictions gave him the reputation as a moderate, which helped him outperform President Barack Obama in their respective races in swing-voting suburbs of northern Virginia in 2012.

Kaine signed an executive order requiring those involuntarily committed to mental health institutions be reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, action President George W. Bush required of all states later that year.

Even a small uptick in voter turnout, which Clinton's campaign aides say Kaine can provide, could make the difference in a close election, according to strategists on either side of the partisan divide.