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Yancey: Is it over? 8 more things to know about the John Reid controversy.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin blinked. Then Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears blinked. That’s my read on the past 48 hours in Virginia politics as the controversy over Republican lieutenant governor candidate John Reid may now have reached its end point with Reid still very much on the party’s ticket. In case you’ve been blissfully out in the woods without Wi-Fi for the past week, here’s the briefest of recaps: Last Thursday, Youngkin became aware of a social media account with Reid’s longtime screen name that since at least 2014 has been posting photos of nude male models. On Friday, Youngkin told Reid he should drop out of the race.
Judge rules for former Accomack superintendent in FOIA court hearing
The Accomack County School Board violated state open meetings law when it met Oct. 23, 2024, and voted to fire then-Superintendent Rhonda Hall, a circuit judge has ruled. Judge Afshin Farashahi said the special meeting in question, called with just four days’ notice, didn’t constitute an emergency and was held in a room not big enough to accommodate a crowd. The meeting’s announcement also didn’t include the address and indicated that the meeting would be closed.
Youngkin aide defends against Reid extortion claim
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s top political aide said Wednesday that the campaign manager for GOP lieutenant governor nominee John Reid privately acknowledged he was aware of a social media account containing racy images that led Youngkin to urge Reid to leave the race — but which Reid has said he knew nothing about. Youngkin political adviser Matthew Moran included the statement in an affidavit responding to Reid’s accusation that Moran’s actions amounted to extortion, the latest escalation in the unusual spat between the state’s leading Republican and one of his party’s major nominees in an election year.
Audio recording sheds light on Va. GOP firestorm involving Youngkin’s top adviser and lieutenant governor candidate
A newly surfaced recording of an April 27 conversation between Matt Moran, the top political strategist for Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, and members of Republican John Reid’s campaign appears to contradict Moran’s sworn affidavit — directly challenging his claim that he never pressured Reid’s team to leave the lieutenant governor’s race. The audio, obtained and reviewed by The Mercury on Thursday, captures Moran and attorney Tim Anderson, a former state delegate, during the meeting at the Offices of LINK Public Affairs in Richmond, in a conversation with Reid’s campaign manager, Noah Jennings, and Reid’s longtime partner, Alonzo Mable.
In the World’s Data Center Hotbed, How Close Is Too Close, and Who Should Pay?
Tyler Ray and his husband were drawn to their community, Bren Pointe, by the amenities that make Fairfax County such a desirable place to live in the Washington, D.C., suburbs of Northern Virginia. It’s close to shopping, dining and entertainment in Old Town and not far from Reagan National Airport. Soon, though, the neighborhood could be home to a warehouse-like data center at 500 Centre Plaza, a five-acre substation 60 feet from Bren Pointe’s boundary on the other side of Turkeycock Run. The State Corporation Commission, which regulates Virginia’s utilities, is reviewing the transmission project in Ray’s Alexandria neighborhood. The state’s legislative research arm, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, or JLARC, says the line is “too close” to residents.
Williams: When Virginia's GOP trips over its own DEI
John Reid is gobsmacked that the leopard attempted to eat his face. Reid is the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor in the November election. He earned this distinction when his lone opponent dropped out of the race because of health issues. This turn of events resulted in the most diverse statewide ticket in Virginia history: Black female, white gay male and Hispanic male.
VCU student arrested in gathering echoing 2024 Gaza encampment
A peaceful gathering to “be together in community” on the anniversary of VCU’s violent April 2024 Gaza solidarity encampment unraveled into disarray after police told roughly 50 students they were trespassing and breaking campus policy, ending in one student’s arrest.
Fisher: In Virginia, a gay GOP candidate is proving difficult for MAGA to accept
Two weeks ago, John Reid, a longtime rabble-rousing radio talk show host in Richmond, was the underdog in this year’s Republican primary for lieutenant governor in Virginia. Last week, Reid was the undisputed, unopposed GOP nominee for the post. This week, he is on the ropes, spurned by his own party’s governor, who is calling for Reid to drop out of the race.
At packed Henrico rally, Reid blasts ‘Richmond swamp’
The controversy surrounding John Reid, the GOP nominee for lieutenant governor, has energized his base, as shown by the hundreds of supporters who packed a Wednesday night rally in Henrico County. The entire GOP ticket originally was to appear at the venue, Atlas 42, alongside Gov. Glenn Youngkin — before Youngkin asked Reid to step down and canceled his own appearance.
West Virginia moves to complete Corridor H to state border; Virginia plans for impacts
A half-century-old highway battle is resurfacing at the West Virginia–Virginia border, as the Mountain State moves to extend Corridor H to the state line, creating pressure for Virginia to respond. Local officials, conservationists and residents are warning that a major influx of truck traffic, environmental damage and potential economic disruption could follow — even if Virginia refuses to extend the highway.