Search
They Were Roommates in D.C. Now They’re Both Running for Governor.
Abigail Spanberger has a simple explanation for all this. She knows how she became a CIA case officer focused on counterterrorism, and how she succeeded as a three-term congresswoman—elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 when Democrats took back control of that chamber during Donald Trump’s first administration. She knows how she won her race to represent Virginia’s 7th district at the same time that a former naval helicopter pilot named Mikie Sherrill was elected to represent New Jersey’s 11th, and how the two became fast friends in Washington D.C. She knows how both are now running for governor in their respective home states—two of the most-watched races of the year. It’s just not that complicated: “Mikie and I are both the eldest of three sisters,” Spanberger explains. “So that’s the essential piece.”
Federal cuts hit coastal flooding, dam projects in Virginia
As Virginia’s various government agencies wait to hear how the federal budget will affect their funding, some departments have already seen significant cuts that are putting a hold on important hazard mitigation projects and emergency management support. In an effort to understand the full scope of federal cuts on the commonwealth, state House members have been hosting committee meetings in communities across Virginia. In a Friday meeting in Norfolk, which increasingly faces rising sea levels and coastal land loss, officials shared projects and goals that will not move forward.
Virginia’s GOP ticket to hold first united rally since controversy
Virginia’s statewide GOP ticket appears to be making amends and will appear together at a rally in Northern Virginia next week. The Republican nominees for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general are holding a joint rally July 1 – marking the first time the ticket will appear together since nominees were finalized in April and for the first time since Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin asked the party’s lieutenant governor nominee to drop out of the race.
Tysons Casino Backer Donates $105K To Earle-Sears
The Republican candidate running to be Virginia's next governor received $105,000 from the company seeking to build a casino in Tysons, according to the latest state financial filings. Building a Remarkable Virginia, one of two political action committees funded by casino developer Comstock Holding Companies, made the donations to Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears' campaign in two installments — $55,000 on June 2 and $50,000 on June 3, according to state financial filings reported by the nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project. The company's other PAC is Comstock Hospitality Holdings.
Spanberger talks car tax, Job Corps program cuts on campaign stop in Lynchburg
The Democratic nominee for governor, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, held a rally in Lynchburg on Tuesday afternoon as part of her “Span Virginia,” an eight-day bus tour with 40 stops across the state. Spanberger arrived on her campaign bus around 1:30 p.m. and entered Three Roads Brewing in downtown to a cheering crowd. In her speech, Spanberger said, “I’ve got a lot of fuel in the tank” as she looked ahead to the months on the campaign trail until the general election in November.
Some, but not all, 11th District GOP candidates condemn ‘theatrics’ of DOGE cuts
Roughly half of the Republicans seeking to represent Virginia’s 11th Congressional District condemned the process — but not the result — used by the Trump administration’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to slash the federal workforce. Speaking to voters at a forum on Sunday (June 22), three of the candidates expressed a distaste for the way in which tens of thousands of federal government workers have been fired since President Donald Trump took office in January, allegedly to reduce spending.
Deceased lawmaker’s social media urges support for former aide in Virginia special election
Social media accounts for the late Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) urged Democrats to vote for his former chief of staff James Walkinshaw in the party’s upcoming special election, in posts Tuesday. “Early voting starts TODAY in VA-11! This is our first chance to stand up for our workers, our schools, our democracy, and everything Gerry fought for. Before his passing, Gerry endorsed James Walkinshaw to carry on that legacy because he knew James would never stop fighting for us. Make your plan and vote early and bring a friend. Every vote matters,” the post on Connolly’s Facebook page reads.
Connolly tweets from beyond the grave to boost former chief of staff in Virginia election
The social media account of former Virginia Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly, who died in office last month, called on voters in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District to support his former chief of staff, James Walkinshaw, in the special election primary. According to his website, Connolly endorsed Walkinshaw before his death. The post received some backlash online.
Google buys Botetourt County land for data center plans
Google has bought more than 300 acres in a Botetourt County industrial park to potentially build a data center campus there, officials announced Tuesday. The tech giant paid just over $14 million for the land and will put another $4 million toward local projects benefiting the county’s fire service, law enforcement, schools and other departments, Botetourt County Administrator Gary Larrowe said. “This is a win for Botetourt and it’s a win for all of us,” Larrowe said as he announced the project Tuesday evening during a board of supervisors meeting.
Google purchases land in Botetourt County for potential data center
Google has purchased some 312 acres in Botetourt County to potentially build a data center in the future, the county announced Tuesday. The tech giant purchased the land, located in the Botetourt Center at Greenfield, for around $14 million. “Google has invested significantly in the Commonwealth, and I am proud that they have chosen Botetourt County as the site of their newest data center,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a county news release.