Carter faces primary challenge, Carroll Foy receives women's group endorsement, McAuliffe releases healthcare plan, and more
The latest in Virginia politics and campaigns.
Welcome to Tuesday. Here are the latest stories in Virginia politics and statewide campaigns!
Lee Carter faces a primary challenge and points to inappropriate release of voter data to challenger
Helen Zurita announced Monday afternoon that she is seeking the Democratic nomination to run in HD-50, the district that is currently represented by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Delegate Lee Carter. The announcement from Zurita however came after a statement from the Carter campaign alleging a data breach by a local party official that provided Zurita with valuable voter information.
Prior to the announcement from Zurita Monday afternoon, Carter released a statement calling out the Prince William County Democratic Committee chair, LT Pridgen, for an unprecedented action she took when she sent 1,193 pages of Prince William County’s personal voter data to Zurita and Carter for free last week. The Carter campaign called it an “apparent effort to instigate and support a primary challenge against Delegate Carter in House District 50.”
While Carter is running for governor, his campaign says he is also running for reelection to his House seat. Several Democrats that are running statewide are doing the same thing including Delegates Sam Rasoul, Elizabeth Guzman, and Mark Levine as they seek the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.
The voter data that is typically purchased from the Democratic Party of Virginia (DPVA) can vary in price depending on how much voter data you are requesting. A House race can cost close to $1,000 typically, while Senate data is more expensive due to the larger districts. A spokesperson for Carter says that he has spent close to $10,000 for voter information from the state party since 2016.
Jennifer Carroll Foy Earns Endorsement from Feminist Majority Equality PAC
The Feminist Majority Equality PAC is an organization that advocates for women’s equality, reproductive health, and non-violence and they announced their endorsement of Carroll Foy for governor today.
“Jennifer is a once in a lifetime candidate who understands the struggles of everyday Virginians because she’s lived them,” said Eleanor Smeal, co-founder and president of the Feminist Majority Equality PAC. “Jennifer has been a champion for women throughout her life. She was a groundbreaking leader during her fight in the House of Delegates to ratify the ERA in Virginia and we can’t wait to see what she does next as governor. She is dedicated to protecting reproductive rights, common sense gun reform, strengthening environmental protections, and expanding affordable healthcare. We can’t wait to see Jennifer make history this year, and break yet another barrier.”
"I am so honored to receive the endorsement of the Feminist Majority Equality PAC. Ellie has been a groundbreaking leader among feminists and having her support means the world to me," said Carroll Foy. "As one of the first women to graduate from VMI, to recently leading the charge to passing the Equal Rights Amendment in Virginia, the fight to achieve gender equality has been a defining force in my life. And while we've made such progress in Virginia, we have a long way to go. I know this intimately because I've lived the challenges women, and women of color in particular, face in our Commonwealth. As Governor, I'll fight hard for paid family leave, reproductive freedom and justice, and to raise wages because change can't wait."
Andria McClellan announces new NOVA endorsements
Fairfax County Supervisor Penny Gross, former Arlington County Board Member Jay Fisette, Virginia’s first LGBTQ elected official, and Margi Vanderhye, former House of Delegates member representing Virginia House District 34, which covers Loudoun and Fairfax Counties, have all thrown their support behind Norfolk Councilwoman Andria McClellan as she seeks the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.
“Virginia needs and deserves creative, knowledgeable leaders with skills in business and government,” said Delegate Vanderhye. “Andria has both: she has the experience and the judgment to promote a vibrant 21st century economy, a more just society, and a sustainable environment for all Virginians. Andria knows how to listen and how to make decisions - two critical skills that I believe are essential in an effective leader.”
“The combined years of dedication and experience in serving the people of Fairfax, Arlington and Loudoun counties, and advancing Democratic priorities, between these three leaders is inspiring,” said Councilwoman McClellan. “I’m honored to have their support and value their counsel in understanding and acting on the needs of northern Virginians.”
Fairfax residents “rally for the flag” - WDVM
Last week WDVM reported that the Fairfax County Planning Commission rejected a proposal for a countywide flag ordinance—but it’s not over yet. On Tuesday, the board of supervisors will review the flag regulation ordinance during their regular board meeting. Politicians, Fairfax residents and even residents from neighboring localities came out, flying their flags high and singing along to patriotic songs in front of the Fairfax County Government Center.
“It’s a symbol to me of our unity and what we stand for, honoring our vets and our first responders…So I think this fight is basically saying ‘we feel very strongly about this issue and we want to make sure that you understand that an ordinance of this type is inappropriate, limits freedom and especially when it comes to our flag’,” said Kirk Cox, a Republican gubernatorial candidate.
GOP Candidate for Governor Pete Snyder Launches Open Our Schools Pledge, Urges All Virginia Candidates To Join Him
On Monday, Peter Snyder’s campaign launched the Open our Schools pledge. The pledge will be sent to every candidate - Republican and Democrat - running for Governor.
The pledge is simple and read as follows:
I, _______, pledge to stand up to the teachers union and support opening our schools now, five days a week, with a teacher in every classroom.
"Nothing has united Republican, Democrat, and Independent families in Virginia more than the need for our children to be back in school," said Snyder. "Unfortunately, career politicians beholden to special interest and teachers unions have kept students out of the classroom. The pledge is simple: open our schools now! I hope all Republican and Democrat candidates running for office this year can join me by putting the interest of Virginia children, parents, and teachers ahead of special interests and the teachers union."
Virginia Congressman Urges Governor To Veto Cannabis Legalization Bill - High Times
by A.J. Herrington
Republican U.S. Congressman Bob Good has written a letter to Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam urging him to veto a recreational marijuana legalization bill passed by state lawmakers last month. The Virginia Senate and the House of Delegates agreed on a compromise bill to legalize cannabis for use by adults and to regulate marijuana production and sales on February 27.
In a letter to the Democratic governor written by Good last week, the representative for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District exhorted Northam not to sign the legalization bill, HB 2312, into law.
Democratic Party of Virginia responds to Congressman Morgan Griffith endorsing Kirk Cox for governor.
Yesterday, Del. Kirk Cox announced that the first sitting Virginia member of Congress to endorse in the race for governor was supporting his campaign.
“It is an honor to have a conservative and dear friend like Congressman Morgan Griffith endorse our campaign,” Cox said in teh announcement. “Congressman Griffith, as the first Republican to hold the Majority Leader position since reconstruction, knows exactly what it takes to work together and earn the support for your ideas. To put an end to one-party Democratic rule in Virginia, our party must come together in every corner of the Commonwealth. With Morgan, Bill Carrico, Terry Kilgore, Will Wampler, Will Morefield, Nick Rush and dozens of others on our team in the Ninth District, I know we can and will win on May 8.”
A spokesperson from the Democratic Party of Virginia released a statement in response. "Rep. Griffith has spent the year fighting to overturn the 2020 election and opposing the American Rescue Plan's direct checks for working families, crucial aid for small businesses, and resources to help schools reopen safely,” said Manuel Bonder, DPVA spokesman. “The fact that Kirk Cox is ‘thrilled’ to have his endorsement is nothing but another reminder that Cox is running as a hyper-partisan Republican extremist who is unfit to lead Virginia."
McAuliffe unveils health care priorities during local campaign stop - Daily Progress
by Alison Wrabel
Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe was in Charlottesville on Monday to roll out his plans for health care if he’s elected governor later this year.
McAuliffe met with community members at the Jefferson School City Center, and made stops with tenants in the building, including the Sentara Starr Hill Health Center and the YMCA Early Learning Center.
Del. Elizabeth Guzman files for 2 primaries: Va. Lt. Gov., House of Delegates’ seat - Prince William Times
by Daniel Berti
Del. Elizabeth Guzman has filed to seek re-election for a third term in the House of Delegates in addition to seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, joining already crowded Democratic primaries for both seats.
Guzman, D-31st, of Woodbridge, had said several months ago when she announced her candidacy for lieutenant governor that she would not seek re-election in the House of Delegates. Since then, four candidates have filed to run for her seat, including one who has picked up endorsements from key Democrats in the Prince William delegation.
Democratic andidates submitted signatures yesterday to get on the June primary ballot.
OSIG investigator’s lawsuit alleges intimidation by Northam’s staff over Virginia Parole Board - Richmond Times-Dispatch
by Patrick Wilson and Mark Bowes
The main state investigator who confirmed wrongdoing at the Virginia Parole Board filed a whistleblower lawsuit Monday, alleging that Gov. Ralph Northam’s staff intimidated her agency after a critical report, resulting in her job being threatened.
Jennifer A. Moschetti also alleged that the office of Attorney General Mark Herring redacted “substantial sustained facts” from an investigative report that outlined wrongdoing by the parole board. And she said in her lawsuit that she had cooperated with a federal law enforcement investigation involving the parole board.
VCU Adjuncts Demand 172% Pay Increase
By Katharine DeRosa
Capital News Service
RICHMOND, Va. — Roughly 100 Virginia Commonwealth University instructors are demanding what many adjuncts across the state want: a fair wage. Pay for adjunct instructors would more than double if requests are met.
Adjunct instructors marched last week through campus to VCU President Michael Rao’s office to deliver their demands, which include a meeting with Rao on March 19 and a response by March 30.
Tom Burkett, a founder of VCU Adjuncts for Fair Pay, is an adjunct instructor at the VCU School of the Arts.
“We just kind of look at our pay as really a kind of one defining thing that can bring up the quality of life and the accessibility of teaching at the higher education level,” Burkett said.
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