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Virginia hits record-low uninsured rate
Uninsured rates hit record lows in Virginia and all U.S. states by 2023, driven by coverage expansions under the Affordable Care Act and related policy changes, per a new report. Virginia's drop in uninsured residents boosted its overall health score, leading to one of the biggest year-over-year ranking jumps in the country. The uninsured rate for working-age Virginia adults dropped from 17.3% in 2013 to 8.7% in 2023, according to an analysis of census data from the Commonwealth Fund, a health care foundation. Nationwide, the uninsured rate for U.S. adults dropped from 20.4% in 2013 to 11% in 2023.
Richmond election officials appear not to have enforced finance disclosure mandates
Nearly half of the 16 candidates for Richmond School Board last year missed at least one deadline for campaign finance disclosures, according to a review of reports filed with the state Department of Elections. But it does not appear that the city's Office of Elections took any corrective action. The office issued no citations for late reports, which under state law calls for candidates to be assessed a civil penalty of $100. Shaking up the city’s lackadaisical approach to campaign finance is yet another issue for the city’s three-member Electoral Board to address following the tumultuous three-year tenure of city voting registrar Keith Balmer, who resigned in December. Board chair Starlet Stevens declined to discuss documentation gathered by The Richmonder showing various examples of lax oversight.
Virginia Democrats’ race to replace Rep. Connolly is a weeks-long sprint
Most Virginia voters could be forgiven for thinking they were done with political mailers and ads — at least for a while — following last week’s statewide primary elections. In the suburbs outside D.C., though, some campaigns are just getting started. Both Democrats and Republicans will be holding party-run nominating contests Saturday to select nominees to fill the term of Rep. Gerry Connolly, who died of esophageal cancer in May. With just a few weeks to launch campaigns, raise money and produce TV ads, the race would be a mad dash in any political climate.
Va. leaders react to U.S. bombing three nuclear sites in Iran
Virginia lawmakers on both sides are either showing their concern or their support after President Donald Trump announced the United States had bombed three Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday, entering war. “We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Trump posted on Truth Social. This news comes just two days after the White House said Trump would decide whether to get involved in the conflict between Iran and Israel “in the next two weeks” to give a window for negotiations.
From VPAP New Episode: The Virginia Press Room Podcast
In the latest episode of the podcast from VaNews and VPM, Michael Pope is joined by Shannon Heckt of the Virginia Mercury, Teo Armus of The Washington Post, and Graham Moomaw of The Richmonder. They discuss the week's top headlines: the results of the Democratic primaries for lieutenant governor and attorney general, Richmond voters turning against former mayor Levar Stoney, and Virginia's patchwork data center regulation policies. Tune in for insights and analysis on Virginia politics. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.
Same-sex marriage key topic in first stop of Virginia Democrats’ ‘Worst of Winsome Tour’
The battle to become Virginia’s next governor came to Charlottesville on Friday, as part of a statewide tour aimed at criticizing the Republican nominee, current Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears. The topic Democrats zeroed in on at Friday’s rally outside City Hall is one with ties to Charlottesville and strong opinions on both sides: same-sex marriage. “It’s fundamental,” Llezelle Dugger, the Clerk of Court for Charlottesville’s Circuit Court, told 29News. “It’s a fundamental right for us.”
Winsome Earle-Sears, John Reid speak to each other for first time in weeks
After not speaking to each other for eight weeks, Republican nominees Winsome Earle-Sears and John Reid have spoken to each other. Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican nominee for Virginia’s governor, spoke to John Reid, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, on Wednesday after eight weeks since they last spoke, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Republican Governors Association to invest in Earle-Sears
The Republican Governors Association is investing $500,000 in Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears. RGA also released a new digital ad attacking Earle-Sears’ Democratic opponent, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger. The RGA is prepared to spend “several million dollars to keep Virginia red,” Punchbowl reported [Saturday] morning. Earlier this month, the Democratic Governors Association announced its plans to make a $5 million initial investment in Spanberger’s campaign.
Democrats push unity in first day of bus tour
The Democratic statewide ticket held its first joint event Saturday afternoon at Abner Clay Park in Richmond, launching an eight-day bus tour. Gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger, lieutenant governor nominee Ghazala Hashmi and attorney general nominee Jay Jones emphasized party unity and standing up to President Donald Trump. “Today is a really fun day,” Spanberger said. “We are starting our bus tour across the commonwealth to make sure that everywhere we travel, people get to hear from us about the things that we are for, the policies we wish and will work to pursue.” The ticket was introduced by United States Senator Mark Warner and Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-VA04, who both stressed the importance of standing up to Trump.
The fall of Levar Stoney: How Richmond cost him the race for lieutenant governor
In 2016, the city of Richmond elected a 35-year-old upstart Democrat named Levar Stoney as its mayor. In 2020, the city elected him again. But on Tuesday, Richmond voters summarily rejected him in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor. He finished second among six candidates statewide and lost the race to Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield. It was a close but stunning defeat for a candidate who was once a protégé to then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe and remains well-funded and well-connected.