Glenn Davis accuses Tim Hugo of homophobia as the GOP race for LG heats up — plus more from VA politics
The latest in Virginia politics
Women of Color Coalition Endorses McClellan for Governor
“Women of Color Coalition is proud to give Senator Jennifer McClellan our first official endorsement,” Women of Color Coalition Co-Executive Directors Rachel Green and Anne Shaw said. “We were a driving force that helped elect President Biden and Vice President Harris, and now, our coalition is all in to make Jenn the first Black woman governor in history.
“For over 15 years, Jenn has been a proven champion for women of color - from leading the charge to expand paid sick and family leave to expanding worker protections with the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights for care workers to expanding reproductive access for thousands of Virginians with the Reproductive Health Act. It’s time for a governor with the perspective of a woman of color and a working mom and the experience to get things done on day one, which is why the Women of Color Coalition is thrilled to mobilize behind Jenn McClellan.”
Republican lieutenant governor candidate Glenn Davis calls fellow candidate Tim Hugo out for homophobia
Former Attorney General Mary Sue Terry and former congressional candidate Leslie Cockburn Endorses Del. Sam Rasoul for Lt. Governor
"I have gotten to know Sam since he ran for the House of Delegates eight years ago. I believe strongly that experience matters, and Sam leads the pack of those running for Lieutenant Governor in terms of experience," said Terry. "But there is a larger issue, and that is geographic balance. We desperately need Sam to be elected Lieutenant Governor. Otherwise, there will be no statewide elected official from west of Richmond. We often say that Virginia does not end at Roanoke. If Sam is not elected, will we have to ask whether it ends at Richmond?"
Cockburn: "It is with great pleasure that I endorse Delegate Sam Rasoul for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. Sam is a rare politician, a progressive with a deep understanding of rural Virginia, much needed in Richmond’s leadership," said the former VA-05 congressional nominee. "I have known Sam for many years and watched him be a champion for the environment, working mothers, education, and broadband. The needs of Sam’s home turf in Roanoke are very different from the suburbs of Northern Virginia. With Sam as our Lieutenant Governor, the voices of rural Virginians will be heard."
Norfolk Councilmember Andria McClellan, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, is calling for action by the Governor and the Legislature on unemployment insurance claims
Virginia ranks last in the nation for quickly resolving issues with unemployment insurance claims according to the Department of Labor.
“These failures are a legacy of Republican control in Richmond, which prioritized tax breaks for the wealthy over providing a safety net for Virginia's working families. Underinvestment in technology has resulted in antiquated systems that cannot handle the demand we’ve seen throughout the pandemic,” McClellan said in a press release Tuesday. “I am calling on Governor Northam and his administration to take swift action to address this issue and accelerate benefits distribution immediately.”
The average wait time for claims awaiting appeal in Virginia is 247 days, the third highest in the country.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the existing inequalities that persist in Virginia, disproportionately affecting people of color,” said McClellan. “The Virginia Unemployment Commission’s failure to deliver benefits in a timely manner is a prime example. Through this pandemic, we’ve seen loss of jobs, connections and most tragically, loved ones. Those incalculable losses should not include a loss of opportunity due to an antiquated unemployment system that leaves those already struggling even further behind. I’m running on a platform of access to opportunity because there is no reason Virginia should be last in access to benefits for those struggling already. As Lieutenant Governor, I will support investing in technology to ensure that all of Virginia’s systems are reliable and resilient to provide efficient and timely government services to all Virginians.”
Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Hala Ayala releases a healthcare plan
Ayala’s plan includes:
expanding access to affordable healthcare for all by:
implementing a state reinsurance program
strengthening our Medicaid program by creating a statewide Medicaid “buy-in” option on the exchange
providing financial support for families struggling with healthcare premiums
supporting and expanding rural healthcare by:
expanding telehealth options and closing access gaps
incentivizing medical students to practice in rural areas
partnering with federal legislators to provide additional funding for transportation costs
ensuring prescription drug price transparency by:
setting price caps on life-saving medications like inhalers and Epi-Pens
creating a Consumer Protection and Accountability Division within the State Corporation Commission
prioritizing mental healthcare and decriminalizing mental health by:
tackling the suicide epidemic among Virginia’s veterans
focusing mental health resources on early intervention, crisis prevention and wellness across the lifespan by expanding STEP-VA
increasing funding for substance abuse disorder prevention and treatment
decriminalizing health and supporting crisis diversion centers
supporting our children’s mental health
promoting healthcare equity by:
combating maternal, fetal and infant mortality disparities
requiring bias and cultural competency training for healthcare providers
diversifying Virginia’s healthcare system
improving health data collection and reporting by race and ethnicity
modernizing our healthcare infrastructure by:
modernizing our Medicaid enrollment processes
protecting Virginians with disabilities by:
using federal dollars to support permanent supportive housing
ending the ID/DD waiver wait list
protecting reproductive rights and expanding access to care by:
passing a constitutional amendment codifying Roe v Wade
increasing abortion access and coverage
ensuring access to contraceptive care
“Medicaid saved my son’s and my life, which is why I was honored to be a deciding vote to expand healthcare coverage to more than 500,000 Virginians,” Ayala said. “But we still have so much work left to do. More than 700,000 Virginians have been uninsured during this pandemic. I’m proud to release my television ad highlighting my record of fighting for affordable healthcare for all Virginians as well as my plan to lower healthcare costs and expand access to quality, affordable healthcare throughout the Commonwealth.”
Democratic Governor Hopeful Touts Child Care Plan - Daily News-Record
by Jessica Wetzler
On Monday, McClellan joined Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed for a tour of the Roberta Webb Child Care Center in Harrisonburg, which was also visited by Virginia first lady Pamela Northam on Wednesday.
Guided by Executive Director Angela Rouse, Reed and McClellan toured the facility and heard how federal CARES Act funds supported the facility throughout the pandemic. The tour provided McClellan an opportunity to speak further about her universal child care and early learning plan and share her personal experience with affording child care.
Snyder Stumps in Ashburn As Convention Nears - Loudoun Now
Entering the final weeks of the hotly contested Republican nomination contest, gubernatorial candidate Pete Snyder kicked off his Conservative Outlaw campaign tour by meeting with supporters Monday night at Lost Rhino Brewing Company in Ashburn.
Drawing praise from party stalwarts including former Attorney GeneralKen Cuccinell, former state Senator Dick Black and Del. Dave LaRock (R-33), the Charlottesville entrepreneur pledged to get schools fully reopened, turn back the agenda of state Democrats, and undo the restrictions on businesses and churches during pandemic.
Youngkin Stumps in Purcellville Pub - Loudoun Now
by Renss Greene
“This is about winning through addition and multiplication, and not through subtraction and division,” Youngkin told a closely-packed, unmasked crowd inside the Purcellville Pub on April 27. “And that’s the playbook the Republican Party in Virginia, sadly, has run for the last 10 years, is subtraction and division. And we’re just not going to play that way. We’re going to bring people together.”
Youngkin said he will “stand up for our First Amendment rights” and that he is “pro-life,” and that he intends to increase police funding. He also said he plans a bill modeled after one from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is pushing legislation to fine social media companies that de-platform politicians. That was a reaction to decisions by Facebook and Twitter to block then-President Donald Trump after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol attempting to stop the certification of President Joe Biden, resulting in at least two deaths and further injuries. Twitter explained he was permanently banned “due to the risk of further incitement of violence.”
More News:
Black and low-income students are underrepresented in Virginia AP classes, report finds
Pandemic lockdown came with most fatal drug overdoses Virginia’s ever seen, new data show
Funding for school modernization possible with U.S. aid packages
Virginia AG’s office vows report on Parole Board probe will be independent