Search
A short history of long ballots in Virginia
With six candidates on the ballot, the June 17 Democratic contest for lieutenant governor is the second most-crowded statewide primary in modern Virginia history. If history is any guide, a congested primary can generate uncertainty and makes it possible that someone can claim the nomination with considerably less than a majority of votes cast. Here’s a quick review of five statewide primaries since 1997 where the nominee won less than 40%.
Spanberger expands fundraising advantage over Earle-Sears
Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, has expanded her commanding fundraising advantage over Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in their historic race to become the first woman elected governor in Virginia, with nearly five times more cash to spend in the final five months of the campaign. Spanberger, a Henrico County resident who stepped down this year after three terms in Congress to run for governor, raised $6.5 million in just over two months, compared with $3.5 million for Earle-Sears, whose campaign spent more money than it collected from April 1 to June 5.
Two Roanoke Democrats vie for chance to face Del. McNamara in 40th House District
A race between two Roanoke women with differing experiences on their resumes will determine the Democratic nominee in the 40th state House District. Donna Littlepage is recently retired as the chief financial officer of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. It’s her first run for elected office. Kiesha Preston is an activist, actress, consultant and domestic abuse survivor who has used the difficulties she’s faced to seek change, she said. She ran as an independent for Roanoke City Council in 2020, finishing sixth in an eight-way race for three seats. The winner of next Tuesday’s primary will face Del. Joe McNamara, R-Roanoke County, in the general election Nov. 4. McNamara had held the seat since 2018. It has historically trended Republican.
At Youth for Tomorrow’s Henrico ribbon-cutting, Youngkin touts Virginia’s behavioral health ‘transformation’
Collaboration between public and private agencies, volunteers and other stakeholders has transformed Virginia’s ability to provide immediate behavioral health services to people in need statewide, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Youth for Tomorrow location in Henrico’s West End Tuesday. Bipartisan efforts have resulted in the investment of about $1.5 billion into the system during Youngkin’s time in office, and the implementation of his administration’s “Right Help, Right Now” initiative has paid significant dividends, he told those gathered at the YFT location at 2810 North Parham Road, near Tucker High School.
Chesapeake Bay health grade dips after hottest year on record and extreme rainfall patterns
The health of the Chesapeake Bay declined in an annual report card on the nation’s largest estuary released Tuesday, with scientists noting the effect of extreme rainfall patterns during the hottest year on record. The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science gave the bay a C grade in its report card. That compares to a C-plus grade the bay received last year, which was the highest grade it had received since 2002.
Virginia Senate Democrats reject Youngkin’s university board picks
Virginia Senate Democrats rejected eight of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s appointees to public university boards, a move intended to push back on the Republican governor’s drive to give campus culture a conservative makeover. The impact of the vote, at an unusual Monday evening meeting of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee, was a matter of dispute. While the senators said they had immediately ousted the eight from boards governing the University of Virginia, Virginia Military Institute and George Mason University, Youngkin’s office contended that any removals could not occur until 30 days into the next General Assembly session, which begins in January.
Henrico tightens restrictions on data center projects, eliminates by-right approvals
Following through with their previously stated desire to increase restrictions on data center development in the county, Henrico supervisors on Tuesday adopted revised rules that no longer allow such projects as a by-right use. The board voted unanimously on the new regulations that require supervisors’ approval – and public hearings – for any new data center project anywhere in the county, including White Oak Technology Park, where such development has previously been allowed by right.
Spanberger eyes solar, batteries in Virginia energy plan
Virginia Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Abigail Spanberger is focusing on technologies like solar energy and battery storage in her new energy platform. Spanberger, a former House member hoping to flip control of the governor’s mansion and succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), is also putting an emphasis on the growing data center sector in Virginia, with a goal of making sure the facilities and their energy demand do not lead to increased electricity prices.
Second Democrat seeks to challenge Wittman
A second Democrat, Lisa Vedernikova Khanna, president of the Metro Richmond Area Young Democrats, says she hopes to challenge Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, in 2026. Earlier this month, Amanda L. Pohl, clerk of the Chesterfield County Circuit Court, filed her statement of organization with the Federal Election Commission, a first step toward raising funds for a federal election campaign.
Yancey: Spanberger has almost 5 times as much campaign cash as Earle-Sears
Virginia Democrats enter the summer with a towering cash advantage over Republicans in many key races. Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic candidate for governor, has almost five times as much cash on hand as her Republican opponent, Winsome Earle-Sears. Two of the Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor have four times as much money as Republican nominee John Reid; two others have more than twice as much, although it’s unclear how much money any of those Democrats will still have once next week’s June 17 primary is over.