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Completed Va. tickets testing battle lines for Nov. election
The races were tight, with the definitive results coming late — and closer than has been the pattern in Virginia primaries — but the two parties’ November tickets are now complete. State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, is the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor and former Del. Jay Jones, D-Norfolk, will run for attorney general, on a ticket led by former Rep. Abigail Spanberger — all of them promising to run as a united team. So far, there’s been no word that that’s the plan for the GOP slate of Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears for governor, former radio host John Reid for lieutenant governor and Attorney General Jason Miyares, seeking re-election to that post.
Haro-Perez: Abortion access in Virginia depends on the coming months
Virginia may feel like a safe haven for abortion access — but let’s be clear: Safe doesn’t mean secure. In the almost three years since Roe v. Wade was overturned, Virginia has become a critical access point for people across the South seeking abortion care. We’ve seen the largest increase in abortions of any state post-Dobbs, not because people are suddenly having more abortions, but because we’re one of the last states in the region where it remains legal. But that reality is hanging by a thread.
Turner and Rosa: Energy investments are a win for Virginia and the nation
As Congress debates the federal budget, one issue should be a no-brainer for conservatives in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District: energy investments. These commonsense initiatives — first advanced under President George W. Bush — have grown alongside America’s need for energy independence and innovation. They’re about more than clean energy: jobs, national security and economic strength.
Virginia Board of Education approves $83.4 million allocation for infrastructure grants
After a competitive application process, multiple school divisions and a regional technical center will receive $83.4 million in grants for school construction projects, a move the Virginia Board of Education approved on Wednesday. A total of $80 million from the fiscal year 2025 application process will be allocated to 10 school divisions, including Lunenburg County for Central High School, the city of Richmond for Woodville Elementary School, and Massanutten Technical Center in Harrisonburg. The Petersburg High School project, which received $13 million towards the project’s $91 million total, was the only project that did not receive full funding.Petersburg missed out on an additional $13 million.
State Sen. Tara Durant announces her intention to run for Congress
State Sen. Tara Durant wants to trade Richmond for Washington. Durant, a Republican from Stafford County, on Wednesday announced her intention to run for Congress. If she were to get the GOP nomination, that would likely set up a contest next year versus Democratic Rep. Eugene Vindman in Virginia’s 7th District, which includes the Fredericksburg area. Vindman, who lives in Dale City, won the seat in November in a close — and closely watched — race against Republican Derrick Anderson, who grew up in Spotsylvania County.
Crypto group wades into Virginia special election
The special election in Virginia to replace the late Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) is getting $1 million worth of attention via broadcast TV ads, courtesy of the crypto PAC Protect Progress. Crypto funds had an outsized impact on congressional elections in the 2024 election and the groups have pushed on into each of the three special elections that have come up this year. Protect Progress will use its funds to support Democratic candidate James Walkinshaw, the former chief of staff for Connolly.
Clean Virginia tops Dominion in Democratic primaries
The clash between Clean Virginia and Dominion Energy was on full display in Tuesday night’s Democratic primaries — and Clean Virginia came out on top. Dominion Energy, the state’s largest public utility, is one of Virginia’s most prolific political donors, contributing to candidates in both parties. Clean Virginia, a rival donor group, says its mission is to promote clean government and clean energy — and backs only candidates who refuse contributions from Dominion.
Two Danville council members to face off for House of Delegates seat
It looks like two Danville City Council members will duke it out for the 49th District House of Delegates seat. Madison Whittle and Gary Miller won the Republican and Democratic nominations, respectively, during their parties’ primaries Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections. Miller prevailed against his opponent Jasmine Lipscomb while Whittle defeated Vanessa Scearce.
John Reid would vote ‘no, no, no’ on in-progress constitutional amendments
After Tuesday’s primary election cemented state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, her opponent Republican lieutenant governor candidate John Reid on Wednesday laid out his goals if elected to the state’s second-highest office. He also announced plans to assemble work groups to study key issues and pledged that if Democrat-led efforts to enshrine reproductive rights, voting rights and same-sex marriage rights into Virginia’s constitution met a tie in the Senate chamber, he would break it by voting them all down.
Virginia Democratic lineup set, with Hashmi declared winner of lieutenant governor race
Virginia state Sen. Ghazala F. Hashmi of Richmond won a six-way Democratic primary for lieutenant governor, according to election results projected by the Associated Press, completing the party’s lineup of nominees for November statewide elections in which Republicans and Democrats alike have a chance to make history. ... Hashmi, 60, an Indian immigrant and former literature professor and community college administrator, would become Virginia’s first statewide officeholder who is Muslim or South Asian if elected in November. She faces Republican John Reid, who would be the state’s first openly gay statewide elected official if he wins.