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Virginia's trailblazing candidates for governor prepare to battle over the economy, abortion and Trump
Tuesday is primary day in Virginia — but the general election matchup for the commonwealth’s highest office is already set. Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former U.S. representative, and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, the state’s lieutenant governor, have known for months that they would face off against each other in the race to succeed Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, since they were the only major-party candidates to qualify for the ballot. One of them is guaranteed to make history by being elected Virginia's first female governor. And they’ve already been running general election-focused campaigns for months, providing an early jump-start to one of just two governor’s races this year (the other is in New Jersey).
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.
Warner: Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ could make it more expensive to fly in and out of DC area
The Senate continues to work on what’s been dubbed the president’s “big, beautiful bill” this week. It’s a massive tax and spending plan hitting several parts of the federal government. And in recent weeks, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has landed on the GOP’s radar. It’s all of 17 lines out of 33 pages from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, but it orders the federal government to renegotiate the lease it has with MWAA — leases that were just signed last year and run through the year 2100.
Coalitions in Virginia, 16 states challenge restrictions on federal grants for domestic violence victims
Amid new restrictions imposed on federal grants that aid victims of sexual or domestic violence, multiple groups from 17 states including Virginia signed onto a complaint challenging its legality. In a complaint filed this week against the U.S. Department of Justice and others, several victims’ service groups from multiple states are seeking an injunction on new restrictions that the federal government has placed on the grants. Plaintiffs include the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance along with entities from 16 other states. ... The new restrictions placed on the federal grants for sexual and domestic violence victims mean that organizations deemed to “promote gender ideology” or operate DEI programs could have funding blocked.
Early voting for Virginia Democratic primaries wraps up with high turnout and competitive races
Early voting for Virginia's statewide Democratic primaries ended Saturday with voters turning out to select nominees for lieutenant governor and attorney general ahead of the November general election. According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Virginians cast more than 189,000 early or mail-in ballots across various contested Democratic races compared to over 15,000 in Republican races. For Paris Johnson, voting early was a way to influence change. "Voting is a way for us to express our voice, and it's a way for us to have a little bit of power," Johnson said.
Six Democrats battle for Virginia Lieutenant Governor nomination
As Virginians head to the polls Tuesday, six Democratic candidates are competing for their party's nomination for lieutenant governor,. Whoever wins the nomination will go up against the only GOP candidate on the ticket, Republican John Reid in November's general election. The Democratic field includes current and former elected officials, attorneys, and advocates. They're all emphasizing a range of issues from healthcare and education to housing and labor rights.
Yancey: 4 trends in the early voting that could determine who wins Tuesday’s primaries
Some things should not be lumpy. Mattresses and mashed potatoes, for instance. Some things often turn out lumpy, anyway. Mattresses and mashed potatoes — and elections. It looks as if we’ll have some lumpy results tonight in primary elections across the state. By “lumpy,” I mean some places will vote at higher or lower rates than others. That’s the case in every election. Case in point: In the 2021 governor’s race, 71% of registered voters in Goochland County cast ballots, while only 38% of those in Petersburg did. Every other locality in the state fell somewhere in between.
Virginia helps lead $7.4 billion national settlement with Sacklers, Purdue Pharma over opioid crisis
Virginia played a key role in brokering a sweeping $7.4 billion settlement that will permanently sever the Sackler family from pharmaceutical manufacturer Purdue Pharma and ban them from ever marketing opioids in the United States again. It’s the culmination of a long and bitter legal battle over the company’s role in fueling the nation’s opioid epidemic. Attorney General Jason Miyares announced Monday that Virginia is one of 55 states and territories backing the historic agreement, which would resolve all outstanding litigation against Purdue and its once-powerful owners, the Sacklers. The deal is now headed to bankruptcy court for final approval.
Sentara, Virginia Wesleyan partner on new college of health sciences
Sentara Health will develop a new College of Health Sciences at Virginia Wesleyan University, the two institutions announced Monday. The details of the partnership haven’t been hammered out yet, but a statement from the health system and university said they’re aiming to minimize disruption and ensure continuity for students, faculty and staff. The move comes two months after Sentara College of Health Sciences, an arm of the state’s largest healthcare system, announced it would stop offering degree programs for nurses and other health professions after 130 years.
Officials Investigate More Threats of Violence Against U.S. Politicians
Officials in at least three states said on Monday that they were investigating or prosecuting people for making threats against politicians, a day after the police in Minnesota arrested and charged a man over the assassination of a state lawmaker. In Texas, the authorities said that an armed man who threatened to harm lawmakers at the State Capitol had been detained. In Georgia, a man was arraigned after prosecutors said he threatened sexual violence against two United States senators. And in Virginia, a former Coast Guard officer was arrested and accused of making threats against President Trump online.