This is the Virginia Scope daily newsletter covering Virginia politics from top to bottom. Please consider becoming the ultimate political insider by supporting non-partisan, independent news and becoming a paid subscriber to this newsletter today.
Have a tip? You can reply to this email or reach out to me directly at Brandon@virginiascope.com.
Today’s Sponsor: Virginians for Reproductive Freedom coalition
As the 2025 Virginia General Assembly begins, the Virginians for Reproductive Freedom coalition is laser focused on adding reproductive freedom to our constitution. Connect with us to follow our progress.
Avula gives Friday morning update on water situation
While water is now flowing across the city, Richmond remains under a boil water advisory. Also, another winter storm is scheduled to arrive in the area Friday night, less than a week after the previous winter storm knocked out power, causing this water crisis in Richmond.
For water to be considered safe to consume, two tests need to be completed 16 hours apart, showing no bacteria in the water.
Testing began Thursday, and Avula expects those results to arrive by 3 p.m. on Friday. The second round of testing is taking place Friday morning.
Avula said that the boil water advisory should be lifted on Saturday if the test results both come back negative for bacteria.
Preparations are also being made for the incoming winter storm that is expected to arrive Friday night.
State and regional partners are helping. Additionally, mechanics, electricians, plant operators, internal engineers, consultants from the firm overseeing the IT system, and VDH will be on-site during the storm.
Sean Sublette gave a Richmond update on the incoming storm Friday morning in his newsletter:
Snow arrives this evening - probably around 8, give or take an hour or so, and continues effectively all night - ending an hour or so before dawn Saturday.
Amount: 2-4 inches on the ground at dawn Saturday when it's done, but shave off an inch or so traveling north toward Ashland. Add an inch or so south to Petersburg. Temperatures at daybreak in the upper 20s.
A poll looks at Spanberger v. Sears and Scott v. Sears
A new poll from Mason-Dixon shows former Rep. Abigail Spanberger with a lead over Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears in the 2025 gubernatorial race. While Spanberger is the only Democrat currently running for governor, the poll also looked at a potential matchup between Rep. Bobby Scott and Sears.
Scott is flirting with running for the nomination, but insiders and sources in the Democratic Party do not believe he will actually run. They tell Virginia Scope that he is keeping his name in the conversation to make sure that Spanberger takes Black voters seriously.
The polling shows that Spanberger leads Sears, but Sears leads Scott.
