DGA releases ad targeting the Virginia Republican State Central Committee
The latest in Virginia politics
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The Democratic Governors Association has a new ad criticizing the recent actions of the Republican Party of Virginia
The Democratic Governors Association (DGA) released an ad Wednesday highlighting the nomination debacle that has taken place in the Republican Party of Virginia during these recent months.
For context, the Republican State Central Committee has been fractured over the initial vote in favor of using a convention to choose statewide candidates. Several meetings took place over the last few months where the committee openly argued and belittled each other at times while never finding a path to change the method of nomination.
It is now semi-settled that the party will try and hold a convention of sorts in May. But the opposing party was watching as the drama unfolded, however, and now they are trying to use it to their advantage.
“Virginia Republicans are focusing all of their energy on fighting one another rather than fighting for Virginians,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. “The GOP primary has become a Trump litmus test, and regardless of the nomination method, the party will continue to be in a state of chaos. How can Republicans expect to run the state when they can’t even run their own party?”
Former Virginia House Speaker Kirk Cox says he's only Republican who can beat McAuliffe in governor race - Fox News
Cox, who was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1990, touted his years of experience compared to the rest of the Republican field, most of whom have never held elected office.
"I was a U.S. and Virginia government teacher, and I did that for 30 years. I loved that. Not long after I started teaching, I ran for the House of Delegates and was fortunate enough to work my way up to speaker," he told Fox News in an interview. "I think I'm the person to beat [McAuliffe]."
Kirk Cox releases statement after formally filing his candidacy for governor with the Republican Party of Virginia
Former House Speaker and current candidate for Governor Kirk Cox announced on Tuesday that he was the first candidate seeking the nomination for Governor to formally file with the Republican Party of Virginia.
Cox is competing for the GOP nomination with state Senator Amanda Chase, marketing executive Pete Snyder, and former-Carlyle Group executive Glenn Youngkin.
“For thirty years, I taught U.S. and Virginia government, instilling in Virginia students an understanding of our representative democracy and the timeless principles it’s built upon. I also served as Speaker of the House of Delegates, balancing the budget and making Virginia the best state for business and one of the safest places in the country.”
The Virginia People’s Debate: Attorney General
The People’s Debates took place Tuesday night for the Democratic Attorney General candidates in Virginia. Only Del. Jay Jones participated Monday as his primary opponent, the current Attorney General Mark Herring, did not agree to attend the event.
This debate is the first in a series for the statewide races with the lieutenant governor and gubernatorial candidates having their own night as well. The LG debate will take place March 11 at 7 pm and the gubernatorial debate will take place March 16 at 7 pm.
Jesse Frierson of the Cannabis Equity Coalition of Virginia and Luisa Boyarski of the Virginia Grassroots Coalition were the moderators.
View the debate below, where Del. Jones had the floor to himself to answer questions.
Progressives ready challenge to Democratic old guard - Axios
In Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam is term-limited from seeking reelection, but his seat is being eyed by Jennifer Carroll Foy, a Black mother of twins and public defender. She said her own experience without health care and growing up poor in rural Virginia has inspired her to run.
Contrary to Pete Snyder, COVID studies don't say opening school is 'perfectly safe' - Politifact
"All of the science and data say it’s perfectly safe to have teachers and students in the classroom," Snyder, a Charlottesville entrepreneur, said during a Feb. 22 radio interview on WRVA in Richmond.
We fact-checked Snyder’s claim, which he also makes on his website, and found it to be wrong. All major studies do not say it’s "perfectly safe" to open schools. Most say that if K-12 schools adhere to mitigation measures — masking, physical distancing and frequent hand-washing — then there appears to be minimal risk of COVID-19 transmission from schools.
Despite staying home, Virginia delegates will get over $800,000 this year for travel and meal expenses - Virginian-Pilot
by Ana Ley
Like most white-collar Virginians, state delegates worked from home this year and skipped their usual travel, hotel stays and meals in Richmond.
Yet through this year’s legislative session, House members collectively racked up over $800,000 in per diem stipends that are typically used to cover those expenses. The payments have outraged critics who say lawmakers shouldn’t get them through a pandemic that has devastated budgets and upended many lives.
Virginia is the 10th State to Pass Domestic Worker Protections
By Hunter Britt
Capital News Service
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia General Assembly passed multiple bills providing protections and benefits for the state’s domestic workers.
House Bill 2032, introduced by Del. Wendy Gooditis, D-Clarke, extends employee protection laws to domestic service workers that allows them to file complaints regarding workplace safety. The Commission of Labor and Industry would investigate such claims.
Domestic worker is defined as an individual paid either directly or indirectly for services of a household nature performed in or about a private home. This includes jobs such as “companions, cooks, waiters, butlers, maids, valets and chauffeurs.” The bill states that domestic work does not include jobs that are irregular or uncertain.
More News
Democrats have controlled Virginia government for two years. Here’s what they’ve done. - Virginia Mercury
Rappahannock physician announces bid for 18th District seat - Faquier Times
Seeing green: An early look at the business of bud in Virginia - C-Ville Weekly
Virginia Beach School Board member running to represent 84th District - Virginian-Pilot
Rich Breeden announces he’s running for a delegate seat in Virginia’s 88th district - WDVM