Unlike their GOP counterparts two weeks earlier in Richmond, the Democrats did not have the issue of electing a new party chairman.

Schultz said the Democrats instead focused on what it will take to elect former Gov. Mark Warner as Virginia’s next U.S. senator, as well as each of the party’s candidates for the House of Representatives, in the Nov. 4 general election.

Warner, 53, is running against the man he replaced in the governor’s mansion, Republican Jim Gilmore.

Gilmore served as governor from January 1998 to January 2002, and Warner served from January 2002 to January 2006.

They are seeking the seat held by Sen. John Warner, R-Va., who is retiring at the end of the year.

Schultz said the unity shown at the Democratic convention came about because of how Virginia is viewed nationally.

"Virginia is now a key state, and it is targeted," she said. "The [Shenandoah] Valley is an area that is independent, and people want change.

"That part is not so much the party, but who can best work with Republicans, Democrats, and independents to achieve this change."

Schultz, who was defeated by state Sen. Jill H. Vogel, R-Warrenton, in the November 2007 election for the 27th District state Senate seat, said the needs of Virginians generally are the same, regardless of where they live in the commonwealth.

"They want better education, health care, and leadership with experience," said Schultz, adding that the Shenandoah Valley provides a good barometer on issues and candidates.

"We care about green space and the environment, and the same things are important in Fairfax."

Mark Warner’s address at the convention highlighted how the United States needs to move away from relying on foreign oil, noting it is a security issue as well, Schultz said.

She said two of the other speakers, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., also underscored how the party has grown and become energized.

"We realized we have got to have the dialogue [on issues]," she said. "We’ve got to listen and respond to all Virginians. There has got to be substance to the dialogue to the engagement of our citizens."

Gilmore’s campaign against Warner has tried to utilize support from prominent state Republicans: Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, Attorney Gen. Robert F. McDonnell, and new state party Chairman Jeff Frederick.

Gilmore started traveling throughout the state after the GOP convention ended on June 1.