The audio at the top of this newsletter is from my conversation with Danny Laub, a partner at POOLHOUSE, the Republican ad agency that created Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin’s ads for his campaign. Laub talks about the Youngkin campaign and Virginia politics in general.
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Virginia Supreme Court grants two-day extension for filing new redistricting special master nominees - Richmond Times-Dispatch
by Frank Green
The Virginia Supreme Court Monday extended the deadline for submitting the names of new redistricting special master candidates until 5 p.m. Wednesday, but denied a Republican request for conference call with the Court.
All three Republican special master nominees to assist the Virginia Supreme Court redraw the state's new legislative and Congressional districts were rejected by the Virginia Supreme Court on Friday. One unidentified Democratic candidate was also rejected. The parties were given until 5 p.m. Monday to submit new names.
VA-07 Republican nominee Taylor Keeney launches “help wanted” small business tour
Former McDonnell staffer Taylor Keeney is launching a “Help Wanted” small business tour as she seeks the VA-07 Republican nomination to run against Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Henrico).
“While Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger is in Washington dismissing the focus on the ‘price-tag’ of President Biden’s reckless socialist spending spree, here in the district people are struggling,” Keeney said in a press release Monday. “Small businesses can’t hire, inflation is at a 30-year high, and Spanberger wants to double-down on more spending."
“Businesses across the district, and particularly small businesses, have been hit hard over the last 19 months. That’s why I am going all over the district - from Henrico to Powhatan and Culpeper to Nottoway - to shine a light on why folks are having such a hard time hiring and getting back on their feet. Public service is about listening, then offering solutions to deliver a result for our communities,” concluded Keeney.
The tour is expected to hit stop by Melito’s, RMC Events, Groovin Gourmets, and James River Heating and Air in Henrico County on Monday.
Republican consultant group releases post-election polling data
Co/efficient conducted a poll for the Republican consultant firm Creative Direct after the election. Co/efficient has a provisional rating of B/C pollster rating from FiveThirtyEight.
Co/efficient is a Kansas City-based company that polled all three statewide races and 12 state legislative districts during the 2021 cycle. Co/efficient's final polling on the statewide race was within one point, and their tracking of state legislative races was accurate in 10 of 12 tracked races.
Key Findings from the survey:
Independent voters broke for Glenn Youngkin 61 to 37 percent
Jobs, the Economy, and Education were the top issues for most voters, and independent voters trusted Youngkin demonstrably more on these key issues
President Joe Biden's favorable rating among voters was only 38 percent
70 percent of voters who decided "within the last few days" cast ballots for Youngkin
54 percent of voters said McAuliffe's statement was a factor in their vote
64 percent of voters deciding in the last month said it was a factor, including 50 percent who said it was a "very significant" factor
81 percent of voters deciding in the last week said it was a factor in their vote
Voters who viewed this statement as a significant factor broke for Youngkin 88 to 11
RSLC congratulates Todd Gilbert on becoming Speaker of the House
Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) President Dee Duncan today congratulated Todd Gilbert on being selected as speaker-designee by the Republican caucus Sunday.
“The RSLC was proud to work hand-in-hand with Todd Gilbert to take back the Virginia House. Few gave us a chance at the beginning of the cycle, but Todd’s tireless work ethic and steady leadership allowed us to snap a three cycle street of net seat losses in the Old Dominion and pull off a remarkable upset. He will make a fantastic Speaker and we congratulate him on his nomination."
“We also congratulate Delegates Terry Kilgore, Kathy Byron, and Jay Leftwich for their elections to leadership positions within the House Republican Caucus. Virginia is in great hands with this team of common-sense conservatives who all share Glenn Youngkin’s optimistic vision for the future commonwealth. We look forward to continuing to support Virginia Republicans as they work to lower the cost of living, empower parents, and protect communities.”
Monmouth poll shows increasing distrust in America
Three in ten Americans now believe the nation’s system is fundamentally unsound, according to new polling from Monmouth University. This number has increased from prior Monmouth polls while one-third of the public continues to believe voter fraud determined the outcome of the 2020 election, a finding that has been consistent over the past year. A GOP-sponsored audit of Arizona election results did more to reinforce this belief than dispel it. The poll also finds that half of Americans support greater regulation of Facebook, with majority support among most groups – except for Republicans and independents who use the platform.
Fewer than half of all Americans believe that the American system of government is basically sound and needs either no changes (8%) or some improvement (35%). The combined 43% who feel the system is basically sound is nearly identical to 44% who said the same shortly after the U.S. Capitol riot in January. Polls over the prior three years had this number higher – between 50% and 55% basically sound. An older Opinion Research Corporation poll, from which this question was taken, showed faith in the system being sound at a significantly higher level in 1980 (62%).
In the current poll, 26% say the system is not too sound and needs many improvements. This is down from 33% in January, but the shift in opinion has resulted in more rather than less negative views. Specifically, 30% feel that the American system is not sound at all and needs significant changes. This number stood at 22% in January 2021 and ranged between 21% and 24% in polls taken between 2017 and 2020. Four decades ago, only 10% of the country said the American system was not at all sound.
“The increase of distrust in the American system appears to be linked to the persistence of ‘the big lie.’ The fact that this belief continues to get oxygen is having a serious, and potentially dangerous, impact on faith in our fundamental democratic processes,” said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute.
Bannon surrenders to FBI - Politico
By JOSH GERSTEIN, KYLE CHENEY and NICHOLAS WU
Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of former President Donald, surrendered to the FBI Monday morning following his indictment on contempt of Congress charges.
Bannon was indicted over his refusal to appear for a deposition or provide documents to the House select committee investigating Trump’s effort to overturn the 2020 election results, and the violent Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol that those efforts inspired. News reports suggest that Bannon was in touch with Trump in the crucial days before Jan. 6 — the day Congress is required to certify the presidential election results — and joined other key Trump advisers planning strategy on Jan. 5.
Toll relief for the Elizabeth River Tunnels
Governor Ralph Northam announced on Monday a major expansion of the Toll Relief Program in partnership with Elizabeth River Crossings, the owners of the Elizabeth River Tunnels. This program will reduce tolls for those most impacted by the Downtown and Midtown Tunnel tolls.
“This will make it significantly more affordable for working people to use the tunnels in Hampton Roads,” said Governor Northam. “The Commonwealth and the Elizabeth River Crossing team are making commuting easier, and that is something we can all be proud of.”
Annual funding will increase six-fold in the program in 2022 to more than $3.2 million and then grow 3.5 percent annually. The increased funding will allow the region, Elizabeth River Crossings, and the Commonwealth to consider additional improvements for 2023.
The funds will allow for the following changes to be implemented in 2022:
Provide participants with a 50 percent toll discount on up to five round-trips a week to reducer the cost of commuting to and from work;
More than double the number of drivers, up to 4,300, eligible for the program;
Eliminate the minimum number of trips required before discounts become available; and,
Apply the rebate for the discount on a daily basis instead of monthly.
The 2022 Toll Relief Program is open to Portsmouth and Norfolk residents who earn less than $30,000 a year. The enrollment period begins December 1, 2021, and closes February 15, 2022. Toll reimbursements for the new program begin on March 1, 2022. Current participants must re-enroll to receive the 2022 Toll Reduction Program benefits.
National Headlines
Sen. Patrick Leahy, 81, the chamber’s longest-serving Democrat, announces he will retire
Dems' bitter pill: Popular health provisions won't kick in until after the midterms
Democrats fear consequences after Biden underestimated U.S. problems
The vaccine tore her family apart. Could a death reunite them?
GOP Polling shows Independent voters broke for Youngkin 61 to 37 percent