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Virginia law offers hope for U.S.-born children of parents facing deportation
As President Donald Trump deports the parents of U.S. born children, advocates are pushing a Virginia law that was designed to provide hope for families the administration is targeting. The law, authored by Senator Creigh Deeds, allows a parent to name a specific person as a standby guardian in case there is a “qualifying event” which disposes of the parent. It was originally passed in the 90’s to help the children of those dying from AIDS. But in 2021, at the urging of activists, Deeds updated the law with unanimous legislative support to include parents who are undocumented and facing deportation.
In Fairfax, Earle-Sears pushes Trump agenda with national GOP leader
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears came to deep-blue Northern Virginia with the leader of the national Republican party on Tuesday to push the agenda of President Donald Trump — particularly in protecting voter ballots — to volunteers in her campaign for governor. Earle-Sears and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley told about 40 campaign volunteers they want them to reach into every Virginia community — regardless of race, ethnicity, gender and age — in statewide and House of Delegates elections this year to carry Trump’s message on energy, education, jobs and public safety, while ensuring the integrity of elections.
Special election to fill Rep. Connolly’s seat officially set
In what is already a banner year for political campaigns in Virginia, voters in the 11th Congressional District will make an extra trip to the polls in early September to choose a successor to the late Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) announced on Tuesday that a special election for the congressional seat will be held Sept. 9, formally opening another competitive race in a state that will also pick a new governor and elect two more statewide officials and 100 state delegates.
State touts low recidivism rate. Corrections’ own research says it’s due to COVID-19.
Last week, Virginia’s prison system announced it had achieved a “best-in-class” recidivism rate. Compared with 31 other states across the United States, Virginia announced the lowest rate of prisoners committing new crimes and returning into the prison system. Of the more than 12,000 individuals released from prison, 17.6% had returned to prison within three years, the Virginia Department of Corrections said. ... However, the achievement appears to be because of the effect of COVID-19 on Virginia’s court system, the department’s research team wrote in a note that was not mentioned in the agency’s news release.
Del. Gilbert reflects on tenure as House GOP leader
Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah County, has stepped down as Minority Leader in the Virginia House of Delegates, ending more than a decade in party leadership and formally clearing the path for Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Scott County, to lead the Republican caucus into the 2025 election. Gilbert’s leadership tenure included a two-year term as Virginia’s 57th Speaker of the House, beginning in 2022. Gilbert confirmed in an interview Monday that his decision to step aside was entirely driven by the ongoing federal selection process for the U.S. Attorney post in Virginia’s Western District.
Earle-Sears proposes ‘Axe the Tax’ initiative to eliminate car tax and tax on tips
Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears on Tuesday announced her new “Axe the Tax” initiative, renewing Republican efforts to eliminate the state’s car tax and end income taxes on tipped wages. Earle-Sears, who is running to be the next governor of Virginia, said the state is financially prepared to phase out the controversial personal property tax on vehicles, citing Virginia’s robust rainy day and reserve funds, as well as recent budget surpluses.
Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor talk Southwest Virginia, flood recovery and economic growth
The field of Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor is packed, with six hopefuls who hail from Hampton Roads, the Richmond area and Northern Virginia. None of the Democratic candidates are native to the Southwest or Southside regions, though many claim a connection. Cardinal News asked them some region-specific questions to get an idea of how they plan to serve our readership if elected.
Sen. Cory Booker endorses Jay Jones in Virginia’s Democratic primary for AG
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., has endorsed Jay Jones in Virginia’s Democratic primary for attorney general. Jones, a former state delegate and assistant attorney general for the District of Columbia, faces Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor in the June 17 primary. The winner will face Attorney General Jason Miyares, the Republican incumbent.
Clean Virginia places six-figure attack ad against Shannon Taylor in AG race
Clean Virginia, a nonprofit that advocates for clean government and clean energy, is launching a six-figure ad campaign targeting Shannon Taylor, a Democratic candidate for attorney general, because she has accepted $375,000 from Dominion Energy, Virginia’s largest public utility. The 30-second ad will air in the expensive Washington, D.C. media market, aimed at reaching Northern Virginia voters ahead of the June 17 primary.
Dominion and Clean Virginia flood statewide races with millions
Dominion Energy, Virginia’s largest public utility company and one of state’s most prolific political donors, is once again flexing its power in politics — giving more than $2.6 million to candidates from both parties between April 1 and May 25. At the same time, Clean Virginia, another major donor organization with a stated mission to promote clean government and clean energy, continues to fund candidates who do not accept Dominion’s money, giving more than $1 million during the same time period. While the gubernatorial race is top of the ticket for Virginians this year, Dominion appears to be focused more on down-ballot contests.