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AG primary goes electric in battle over energy, experience
The Democratic primary for attorney general has become a heavyweight fight, but not necessarily between the two candidates. Dominion Energy and Clean Virginia have emerged as the principal combatants in a high-dollar race between former Del. Jay Jones, D-Norfolk, and Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor for the party's nomination to face Attorney General Jason Miyares in the general election in November.
Virginia governor’s race a test of Trump’s grip on competitive state
Virginia's governor election this year is a popularity test for Republican President Donald Trump and his policies, presenting an opportunity for Democrats to claw back some power after the party's recent election rout. The southern state holds a primary on Tuesday that will determine who faces off in the November 4 general election. The process is largely a formality as Democrats and Republicans each have only one candidate, likely meaning either Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, the first Black Republican elected statewide, or Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former three-term U.S. Representative, will become the state's first woman governor.
Virginia’s 2025 primary election: Key races to watch
The spotlight is shining especially bright on Virginia this year as it heads into primary elections on Tuesday. It is one of only two states (along with New Jersey) holding statewide elections following Donald Trump’s White House victory, and it is also the only state seen as broadly competitive. Virginia’s contests for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, along with all 100 seats in the House of Delegates, will serve as a trial run for next year’s congressional midterms and as a referendum on Trump’s policies. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who like all Virginia governors is prohibited from serving a consecutive term, will be looking to cement his legacy by helping the GOP win.
New Virginia law targeting drug dealers after fentanyl deaths is ‘huge win,’ mother says
A new Virginia law will allow prosecutors to charge drug dealers with involuntary manslaughter if they sell fentanyl that leads to a fatal overdose. The new law, which passed with support from both political parties, carries a sentence of one to 10 years. For Sharon Roberts, the law represents a victory in her personal fight against fentanyl. Roberts lost her son, Shawn, in 2018 after he took what he thought was Xanax, but it was laced with heroin and fentanyl. ... Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed the legislation Friday at a Hanover County fire station after recently highlighting Virginia's progress in fighting the crisis. There has been a 44% drop in fentanyl overdose deaths from 2023 to 2024.
Youngkin: Minnesota shootings ‘a crime against our entire republic’
Virginia’s political leaders on Saturday condemned the shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses and called for turning down political rhetoric. Minnesota authorities said a man pretending to be a police officer shot and killed Melissa Hortman, a former Minnesota House Speaker, and her husband at their home early Saturday and separately shot Sen. John Hoffman and his wife at their residence. ... Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a statement Saturday: “Political violence is not just a crime against those tragically killed or wounded, but a crime against our entire republic. We must all condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms ...”
What to know ahead of Tuesday’s Democratic primary for lieutenant governor, attorney general
Six candidates will be on the ballot Tuesday in a Democratic primary for lieutenant governor, and two others are facing off for the party’s nod for Virginia attorney general. Can you name any of them? If you can’t, it’s not too late to learn about the elections, which could see turnout of less than 10 percent of registered voters, according to Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies.
Va. ahead of revenue forecast despite federal warning signs
Virginia moved almost a half-billion dollars ahead of forecast for government revenues through May, with one month left to ensure it collects enough tax money to pay for state spending obligations in the fiscal year that ends on June 30. The state is not likely to enter the next fiscal year on July 1 with a big surplus, as it has for the past five years, but collections were $488.3 million ahead of forecast in the first 11 months of the year.
House primaries in Roanoke area signal arrival of 2025 election season
Election season blooms anew Tuesday in Virginia, as voters prepare for primary contests before deciding on a slate of state and local candidates this fall. ... In House District 40, which includes all of Salem and parts of Roanoke city and county, voters will decide between two Democratic candidates who seek to challenge the incumbent Republican. ... And in sprawling House District 37 — ... incumbent Del. Terry Austin, R-Botetourt, faces a primary election challenger in Austen Schwend.
Protesters march in ‘No Kings’ demonstration in Richmond: ‘This is what democracy looks like’
Demonstrators crowded into streets, parks and plazas across the U.S., including Richmond's Capitol Square on Saturday, to protest President Donald Trump, marching through downtowns and small towns, blaring anti-authoritarian chants mixed with support for protecting democracy and immigrant rights. Thousands turned out for Richmond's rally, which began at the Bell Tower and then moved onto Broad Street before ending at Kanawha Plaza. Protesters expressed concerns about what they described as constitutional overreach.
Gov. Youngkin heads to Europe for trade mission focused on Virginia jobs and investment
Governor Glenn Youngkin is leading a Virginia delegation to France and the United Kingdom starting June 15 to boost business ties, attract investment, and promote the state’s workforce and innovation. The trip begins at the 2025 Paris Air Show, where the governor will meet with top aerospace and defense companies. He plans to highlight Virginia’s strengths in advanced manufacturing and the state’s new Aerospace Talent Accelerator, which graduates its first class this summer.