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Virginia’s governor’s race could be a barometer for how voters feel about Trump
It's primary election day in Virginia, and the state is gearing up for a big election year. In November, Virginians will vote for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and all 100 seats in the lower house of the legislature. Political watchers will eye the campaigns for clues about how voters in the purple-ish state are feeling about the Trump administration ahead of the 2026 midterms. The major-party candidates in the race for governor are already set; neither faced a serious primary challenge. The race pits Democrat Abigail Spanberger, who previously represented Virginia's 7th Congressional District on Capitol Hill, against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor.
Prince William County board chairs clash on plan to build data centers behind Four Seasons
Deshundra Jefferson, the chair of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, and the former chair, Corey Stewart, are at odds over a proposal to rezone land behind Four Seasons, one of the county’s largest over-55 communities, for as many as five large data centers. Stewart, 56, spent 16 years on the board of supervisors and left in 2019, when he declined to run for reelection. He’s now an attorney working with landowners interested in rezoning their properties for lucrative data center deals.
Southside House of Delegates race draws interest from both Democrats, Republicans
House District 49 is one of only two delegate races in the state that feature primaries among both Democrats and Republicans. The Danville-centered district includes portions of Pittsylvania and Halifax counties. Republican Del. Danny Marshall is retiring after representing the area in Richmond for more than two decades and the GOP is seeking to hold onto the seat.
Acoustical Sheetmetal Co. to invest $46M in Virginia Beach expansion
Virginia Beach-based Acoustical Sheetmetal Co. will invest $45.8 million to expand its operations, with plans to add 350 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. Acoustical Sheetmetal is a manufacturer of steel and aluminum enclosures for the power generation industry, providing on-site power integration for large-scale data centers. It plans to build an additional 250,000-square-foot building and add significant machinery on 21.1 acres of land it purchased at the Virginia Beach Innovation Park from the City of Virginia Beach.
Federal judge to consider revival of Virginia Beach election lawsuit
A federal lawsuit that led the city to change to its election system is once again in play as Virginia Beach prepares to hold a referendum vote on how it elects its City Council and School Board members. On Monday, Judge Raymond Jackson, of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, rescinded his previous dismissal of the Holloway v. City of Virginia Beach case and plans to issue a memorandum and opinion on the matter later this week.
Spanberger to launch 40-stop bus tour across Virginia
Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, is launching a 40-plus-stop, eight-day bus tour across Virginia in her campaign for governor, beginning on Saturday in Richmond and ending on June 28 in Virginia Beach. Spanberger, who was unopposed for the Democratic nomination, expects to appear at several campaign stops with her running mates, once voters determine the party nominees for lieutenant governor and attorney general in primary elections on Tuesday.
States’ $7.4B settlement with Purdue Pharma nears closure
Fifty-five attorneys general have agreed to sign on to a $7.4 billion nationwide settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family, the Virginia attorney general’s office announced Monday. If the settlement is approved by the federal bankruptcy court, Virginia would receive up to $103.8 million over the next 15 years. According to state Attorney General Jason Miyares‘ statement, the Sackler family has “indicated its plan to proceed with the settlement,” allowing them to resolve litigation for Purdue’s alleged role in causing widespread opioid abuse.
Louisa County landowner caught up in solar farm regulation debate
A landowner in Louisa County is tangled up in disputes over how her land should be developed, reflecting an ongoing debate over the state’s role in solar energy development in rural areas. She wants a solar project to be built on her property, but local authorities want her land to stay agricultural use-only. Two years into the process she’s still waiting for a resolution, as legislation addressing solar ordinances, which could help mitigate the situation, failed again in the General Assembly this year.
Federal cuts could raise Va. food stamp costs $540 million
Virginia lawmakers are getting a new lesson in national politics: when President Donald Trump and his allies in Congress talk about cutting federal spending, they also mean shifting the cost of safety net programs to states. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” that the U.S. House of Representatives passed could cost Virginia up to $540 million a year to administer food assistance for low-income residents and pay up to 25% of benefits, the state commissioner of social services told a General Assembly budget committee on Monday.
Democrats look to Virginia’s Abigail Spanberger for a win after rough patch
Democrats are touting former Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who they hope will be a bright spot for the party in the state’s gubernatorial election later this year, after months of internal drama and political bruisings from the GOP. Spanberger has already clinched the Democratic nomination in the race to succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA), who is term-limited, ahead of Tuesday’s primary.