DGA hits Virginia Republicans again, Fairfax defamation case is heard, and a long-time republican is running as a Democrat
The latest in Virginia politics
It is finally Friday. The Republican State Central Committee is meeting tonight to try once again to finalize details in the nomination process for statewide candidates. The meeting begins at 7 pm and can be viewed on the Republican Party of Virginia’s Facebook page.
As Biden Signs ARP, DGA Calls Out VA GOP Candidates for Refusing to Support COVID-19 Relief
The Democratic Governors Association released a video Friday highlighting Virginia GOP gubernatorial candidates’ refusal to support the American Rescue Plan.
“Virginia Republicans are too busy trying to prove who is the most loyal to Trump that they’re refusing to support a popular, bipartisan relief package that will help our country recover from the pandemic and provide financial relief to thousands of Virginians,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. “Kirk Cox, Amanda Chase, Glenn Youngkin, and Pete Snyder need to explain why they put loyalty to Donald Trump above getting desperately-needed aid to Virginians.”
Appeals court takes up Fairfax’s defamation case against CBS - Associated Press
by Mathew Barakat
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — Appellate judges reviewing a defamation lawsuit filed by Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax expressed concern that journalists gave an overly credulous reaction to two women who accused him of sexual assault but were skeptical that he could meet the high standard required to prove libel.
A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond heard arguments Thursday from a lawyer for Fairfax, who is seeking to have his defamation lawsuit against CBS reinstated after a district court judge dismissed the case last year.
Flashback Friday: Lieutenant governor's staffer appears to be behind anonymous anti-McAuliffe Twitter account
An account titled “Fake Terry the Savior” on Twitter has been pushing back against Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe in recent weeks. This is not uncommon at all on Twitter. However, what is uncommon is that it appears a staffer for another gubernatorial candidate is in control of the anonymous account.
After Speaker of the House of Delegates Eileen Filler-Corn (D) endorsed McAuliffe on Monday, the account responded -“You’d think that @EFillerCorn would wait until the campaign started to hear everyone’s pitch. But no, money calls. #NotTerry2021”
Another Tweet on December 9 read “Say no to #Corruption and FBI investigations on fundraising! Say no to @NotTerry2021.”
Lauren Burke, a communications staffer for Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax has often been rumored to be behind anonymous accounts on Twitter. These accounts have been pushing back against journalists, politicians, and anyone else that criticized Fairfax.
Burke’s business account, @BurkeFile, uses a strikingly similar email address as the @Terrymsavior account.
How a longtime Virginia Beach Republican left the party of Trump and became a Democratic candidate - Virginian-Pilot
by Ana Ley
A longtime Virginia Beach Republican left the party of Trump and became a Democratic candidate in this year’s race to represent the politically competitive and ethnically diverse 84th House of Delegates District.
Kim Melnyk, who sits on the city’s school board, says there’s nothing remarkable about her decision to switch sides after a turbulent four years under the leadership of former President Donald Trump.
Democratic lieutenant governor candidates meet for virtual debate
Watch below as the huge slate of Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor came together last night for “The People’s Debate.”
Virginia Governor's Race Turns Into Battle Over Endorsements - Patch
by Mark Hand
VIRGINIA — As the Democratic primary election and Republican nominating convention draw closer, endorsements of candidates for Virginia governor are rolling in from elected officials, labor unions, business organizations and community leaders.
Many candidates seeking the nominations for the two parties are working hard to get endorsements, while other candidates are relying on media outreach, whether through traditional media coverage or social media, to encourage registered voters to pick them for the party nominations.
Record number of Black candidates enter statewide races - Richmond Free Press
by Jeremy Lazarus
A record 11 Black candidates are competing for the Democratic or Republican nomination for statewide office.
Five are running for governor, four for lieutenant governor and three for attorney general from the major parties.
Split opposition boosts McAuliffe's comeback bid in Virginia - Politico
by Maya King
The field of Democratic hopefuls for governor in Virginia is historically diverse. But that very diversity and its crowded size are causing a conflict.
That’s because the outside groups formed to support women and candidates of color are still mostly on the sidelines. And it’s leaving former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a white man and longtime Democratic insider, as the overriding frontrunner with less than three months until the primary.
Youngkin releases a new ad with an emphasis on China
Pete Snyder launches new ad with a focus on immigration
“The left wants open borders, but closed schools. It is going to take real leadership to put a stop to illegal immigration and make our streets safe again,” Snyder said in a statement. “Illegal immigration is costing taxpayers billions of dollars and putting their safety at risk— that ends with me as Virginia’s governor.”
Terry McAuliffe Hosts Virtual Conversation on Education with Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg
Terry McAuliffe today held a Facebook Live conversation with Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg, a public school teacher and a member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing Henrico County. They discussed the future for Virginia’s education system and McAuliffe’s plans if he becomes governor.
Jennifer Carroll Foy Earns Baltimore-DC Metro Building and Construction Trades Council Endorsement
“Jennifer Carroll Foy has been an unapologetic and fearless advocate for working families in Virginia. She knows the challenges working people face because she has lived them,” said Stephen Courtien, President of BDCBT. “She has championed legislation to repeal the Comstock rule, expand healthcare for Virginians, and passed a law instituting a prevailing wage on all state-funded construction projects. With this pandemic and economic crisis laying bare the inequities that persist in our Commonwealth, working families need and deserve a fighter like Jennifer Carroll Foy as the next Governor of Virginia.”
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Baltimore-DC Metro Building and Construction Trades Council, and to be the candidate for working people in Virginia because I know what it’s like to be overworked and underpaid,” said Del. Carroll Foy. “That’s why I fought hard for a $15 dollar minimum wage, Medicaid expansion for 500,000 Virginians, and to ensure a prevailing wage on state funded construction projects. As Governor, my number one priority is building on the progress we have made for working people, and ensuring that Virginia is not only the number one state for business, but for workers as well.”
Virginia is set to become the first southern state with its own voting rights act. Here’s what it does: - Virginia Mercury
by Graham Moomaw
When the federal Voting Rights Act passed in 1965, Virginia was one of nine states that drew special attention due to its history of racist election laws. That burden was lifted in 2013, when the U.S. Supreme Court decided enough time had passed that Virginia and other states could stop following an old rule requiring federal permission for changes that might affect minority voters.
With the future of federal voting protections now in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority, Democrats in the General Assembly have passed their own version of a voting rights act, making Virginia the first state in the South to do so.
Governor Northam Releases Environmental Justice Report, Directs Interagency Team to Continue Meeting
Governor Ralph Northam’s office released a report Thursday from the Interagency Environmental Justice Working Group, a body that was established in 2020 through a budget amendment to advance environmental justice within executive branch state agencies. Governor Northam also directed working group members to continue meeting despite a legislative setback that would have made the group permanent, and to discuss and provide recommendations on environmental justice issues raised during the recently concluded General Assembly session.
The interagency working group is comprised of 14 environmental justice coordinators representing each secretariat in the Governor’s cabinet. The report catalogs activities related to environmental justice within state agencies and identifies gaps in capacity and resources necessary to fully incorporate environmental justice into agency operations. The group presented its findings by focusing on four areas within each impacted agency, including (1) policy and regulations, (2) community engagement and meaningful involvement, (3) economic development and infrastructure, and (4) fiscal impact and resources.
“This report represents an important first step toward securing justice for disadvantaged communities that have been disproportionately burdened by the impacts of climate change,” said Governor Northam. “While I am disappointed the General Assembly did not build on our progress from last year by passing additional environmental justice legislation in the 2021 session, I am deeply grateful for the work of Senators Jennifer McClellan and Ghazala Hashmi, along with Delegates Cliff Hayes, Shelly Simonds, and Mark Keam. I will continue to do everything within my power to address current and historical injustices and embed environmental justice into the decision-making process across state government.”
Governor Northam is tasking the working group with studying what new processes and authorities are needed to address the environmental justice implications of state agency actions. This includes evaluating the cumulative environmental and public health impacts of multiple agency actions and how best to ensure that Virginians are aware of proposed activities that could cause pollution in their communities while providing for equitable economic opportunity.