BUENA VISTA -- Labor Day has traditionally served as the official kickoff for fall political campaigns.

This year there are no statewide races, but all 140 seats in the General Assembly are up for election.

Democrats hope to take at least four seats to win a majority in the Senate, while also chipping away at the Republican majority in the House of Delegates.

9th House District

Many state Republicans and Democrats are focusing heavily on the 9th House District, where Democrat Eric Ferguson, a Rocky Mount lawyer, and Republican Charles Poindexter, who sits on the Franklin County Board of Supervisors, are campaigning to replace retiring incumbent Allen Dudley, R-Rocky Mount.

The 9th District includes Franklin and Floyd counties and part of Pittsylvania County.

Franklin County Democratic Committee Chairman Joe Stanley, who is Ferguson's campaign manager, said the campaign has learned from its mistakes in the 2005 election.

"I think Eric has more name recognition at this point," Stanley said.

George Sterling, Republican Committee chairman for the 5th District, said Poindexter is gaining ground in the race. He said that Floyd County Supervisor Jerry Boothe, who is running as an independent, may give Poindexter an advantage by splitting the Democratic vote.

22nd Senate District

Closer to Roanoke, former city Mayor Ralph Smith, who defeated incumbent Sen. Brandon Bell in the Republican primary for the 22nd Senate District seat, faces Democrat Michael Breiner, a Roanoke County plastic surgeon who was mentored by state party Chairman Richard Cranwell.

The 22nd District covers all of Botetourt County, Salem and Radford and parts of Roanoke and Montgomery counties.

Breiner said last week he aims to win moderates who may be put off by Smith's conservative record. Breiner said he's pro-gun and anti-abortion and will focus mainly on health care issues during the rest of the campaign.

Smith said he's also pro-gun and anti-abortion, but he'll make government efficiency a priority.

20th Senate District

In the 20th Senate District to the south and west, the race between incumbent Democrat Roscoe Reynolds and Republican challenger Jeff Evans has picked up steam in recent weeks.

The 20th District covers Martinsville and Galax; Carroll, Patrick and Floyd counties; and parts of Wythe, Grayson and Henry counties.

Evans attacked Reynolds' illegal immigration voting record.

"If you look at how he votes, you would almost think he was in support of illegal immigration," he said.

Reynolds said he supports law enforcement's effort in the fight against illegal immigration, but that reform is ultimately the job of the federal government.

"It's misleading to make people think that something can be done in Richmond, when the only resolution comes from the White House," Reynolds said. "Until the federal government decides to reform it, there's not much we can do."

Republicans are vying to steal away the seat from incumbent Reynolds.