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Yancey: 25 more places on the western side of the state that Spanberger, Earle-Sears should visit for policy lessons
By the time you read this, Democrat Abigail Spanberger will be rolling somewhere between Martinsville, Wytheville, Blacksburg and Roanoke on her eight-day bus tour. Alas, that’s as far west as her bus tour goes, so that makes this a good time to remind her, and readers, about the list of 25 places in Southwest Virginia that candidates should see because they all might help inform future policy choices. She won’t get to any of them on this campaign swing. This is also a good time to remind everyone that you can drive three hours west of Wytheville and still not be in the state’s westernmost corner. On the other hand, Republican Winsome Earle-Sears doesn’t put out a campaign schedule — or many policy statements, either, for that matter.
D.C. region leaders criticize, endorse U.S. attack on Iran
U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites drew mixed reactions from Washington, D.C.-area leaders, whose response to President Donald Trump’s actions split along partisan lines. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) called Trump’s orders a reckless display of “horrible judgment,” as Democrats suggested that the United States was being drawn into Israel’s war with Iran.
Independent candidate files at last minute for 49th District race
As expected, just a small portion of registered voters showed up at the polls in Danville and Pittsylvania County on June 17 to nominate a candidate in the 49th District House of Delegates primaries. Also, an independent candidate filed a petition that day in Pittsylvania County to compete against Republican Madison Whittle and Democrat Gary Miller for the House seat being vacated by Republican Danny Marshall, who is stepping down at the end of his term in January. ... Pittsville resident Barbara Hancock plans to vie for the seat as an independent candidate in the contest. She has not yet been certified by the Virginia Board of Elections as of Friday ...
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.
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 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.
Electoral college reform group eyes Virginia’s elections with hope
Could Virginia become part of a growing national movement to elect presidents based on securing the popular vote? Though America is in its 47th presidency (with many presidents serving multiple terms), just five times has a candidate won the popular vote but lost the election. Although the majority of Americans voted for the losing candidate in those contests, the winners garnered enough Electoral College votes to ascend to the White House. ... National Popular Vote, a bipartisan network of advocates nationwide, is examining whether the outcome of Virginia’s gubernatorial and House of Delegates elections could influence the state to join a growing coalition of states to support the popular vote.
Chesley: Despite tough challenge, don’t underestimate Earle-Sears
Many signs suggest a comfortable victory this fall for Democrat Abigail Spanberger against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in Virginia’s gubernatorial contest. Spanberger had $14.3 million in cash on hand this month compared to just $3 million for Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor. Spanberger, a former congresswoman, has led in early polls, including a whopping 17-point advantage in a Roanoke College survey in May. (Yeah, I know, many Virginians aren’t tuned in yet, so that barometer is shaky.) Earle-Sears, meanwhile, is the standard-bearer for Donald Trump’s party in a state that’s voted against him three times in presidential contests. He’s tried to recklessly chop the federal workforce; some 341,000 federal workers lived here in 2023. Also, Black candidates have struggled to win statewide contests in Virginia – Earle-Sears’ own victory in 2021 notwithstanding.
Suffolk approves new rules for solar farms
New solar farm regulations are a “good start” for a Suffolk farmer whose family and neighborhood became a case study for future solar development in the city. “With all the frustration that we’ve experienced and my neighbors have experienced, it’s good to see that anyone going forward may not have to go through this frustration,” Shane Alexander said during the Wednesday, June 18 city council meeting. The Alexanders have been at the forefront of advocacy about the sonic impact of large solar farms on surrounding communities since the 99-acre Stratford Solar farm went up across the street from their White Marsh Road property in 2022.
Petersburg mayor among prominent names chosen for new Richard Bland College Board of Visitors
Petersburg’s mayor and the general manager of one of the city’s pharmaceutical manufacturers will be among the charter members of Richard Bland College’s Board of Visitors. The list, released June 20 by Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office, also includes a former state education official and a longtime area business professional. The Board of Visitors creation is the crown jewel in RBC’s yearlong effort to establish its independence from the College of William & Mary ...