ELECTION 2021
Cheat sheet: Youngkin and McAuliffe on the issues
As the race for governor comes to a close, here’s a look back at the stances Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin have staked out on major policy issues. Public education has become the dominant issue of Virginia’s gubernatorial race. But in the last weeks of the campaign, both candidates have focused less on […]
‘It’s a humbling thing’: Jason Miyares eyes chance to become first Latino attorney general
With just a few days until this year’s election, polls have indicated a tightening race between Attorney General Mark Herring, a Democrat, and Republican candidate Jason Miyares, a state delegate. Last in a two-part Q&A series with Herring and Miyares. Two of the most vivid memories Del. Jason Miyares, R-Virginia Beach, has revolve around his mother’s […]
In tight Virginia governor’s race, policy takes backseat to culture wars
Donald Hillard, a 49-year-old retired military veteran, says he identifies as a Republican and voted for George W. Bush twice. But he was never on board with the “madness” of former President Donald Trump. And it’s the lingering specter of Trumpism on the right that led him to vote for Virginia’s Democratic ticket this year. […]
‘Our work is not done’: A Q&A with Attorney General Mark Herring
With just a few days until this year’s election, polls have indicated a tightening race between Attorney General Mark Herring, a Democrat, and Republican candidate Jason Miyares, a state delegate. This is the first in a two-part Q&A series with Herring and Miyares. For Herring, a third term would be focused on defending progressive legislation […]
After years of bipartisan giving, Dominion Energy leans into Democratic control
Dominion Energy’s political giving in Virginia has surged into the millions this year, and Democrats are the biggest beneficiaries, with donations totaling more than $1.8 million so far this cycle, according to campaign finance records compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project. Republicans, meanwhile, have received just over $1 million from the influential electric utility, […]
Referendum could be a bellwether of coastal dwellers’ willingness to pay for flood protection
Politicos have long looked to Virginia’s off-year gubernatorial races as a bellwether of national political attitudes. But this year’s election may also indicate whether coastal Americans will pay for flood protection as climate change continues to fuel sea level rise. On Nov. 2, voters in Virginia’s largest city of Virginia Beach will face a bond […]
The pulpit, politics and proverbial slaps on the wrist
Stick out your hand, Terry McAuliffe. Let me give you a proverbial “slap on the wrist” for the fawning video that Vice President Kamala Harris provided your gubernatorial campaign. It will be shown in 300 predominantly Black churches across Virginia on the Sundays leading up to the Nov. 2 election. “Virginians, you deserve a leader […]
McAuliffe v. Youngkin: the numbers beneath candidates’ job, economy claims
In a hotly contested gubernatorial race, few issues have been depicted in such stark contrast by the campaigns as jobs creation and Virginia’s business climate. Democrat Terry McAuliffe, who was governor from 2014 to 2018, paints himself as the jobs guy. He claims that during his term he helped create 200,000 jobs, raised personal income […]
Jill Biden headlines Democratic rally in Henrico
With polls showing a tight race between former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe and GOP challenger Glenn Youngkin, first lady Jill Biden stumped for McAuliffe in Henrico, one of several high profile Democrats scheduled to campaign in Virginia between now and Election Day. At Dorey Park Friday night, Biden vouched for McAuliffe’s ability to lead in […]
In remote address to GOP grassroots organizing event, Trump stumps for Youngkin
Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday delivered his most fulsome backing yet of Virginia’s Republican gubernatorial candidate, Glenn Youngkin, in a virtual address to a GOP grassroots rally in Henrico. “I’ll tell you what, Glenn Youngkin is a great gentleman. He loves his state. We’ve got to get him in,” Trump told a gathering of […]
Federal judge presses AG to weigh in on election calendar. ‘I want him to do his job.’
A federal judge is urging Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring to issue a formal opinion on the state’s election calendar after U.S. census delays forced members of the General Assembly to run in outdated districts this year. Herring has steadfastly declined to weigh in despite receiving a formal request for an opinion five months ago […]
Will Virginia delegates have to run again in 2022? A judge could decide soon.
Democrats and Republicans are once again battling for control of the Virginia House of Delegates. But Paul Goldman, a Democratic lawyer and onetime aide to former Gov. Doug Wilder, says Virginia’s political class is ignoring an inconvenient truth: Technically speaking, the 2021 House elections are invalid. Because the November elections are being held on an […]