HB 257 stirs GOP drama; the return of Nardo; and more
The latest in Virginia politics.
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HB 257 remains a point of contention for Virginia Republicans
HB 257, the law that was passed in 2020 dropping the requirement of school officials to report every potential crime to law enforcement, continues to be a key talking point for Republican candidates — even as a tool to attack their own.
In the seventh congressional district, for instance, Republican candidates are using one competitor’s support of the bill as a means to attack him. Sen. Bryce Reeves (R-Spotsylvania), a filed candidate in the VA-07 race, and seven other Republican senators voted in favor of the bill last year.
Reeves defended his vote for the bill in a statement released Wednesday morning. “A zero-tolerance law can cause good kids to get criminal records for acting like teenagers. HB 257 was designed to allow discretion for parents, coaches, teachers, and administrators to handle some incidents internally rather than to call law enforcement for literally every incident that occurs on school grounds,” he said.
The bill became a key talking point for Republican Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin during his campaign as well as House candidates across the commonwealth after an incident in Loudoun County with students being sexually assaulted.
Del. John McGuire (R-Goochland), another filed candidate in the seventh district, announced Wednesday night that he will be filing legislation to repeal HB 257 in the upcoming legislative session. “I’ll be introducing legislation in the upcoming session to repeal this law and ensure school administrators are once again required to report these crimes to law enforcement moving forward,” McGuire said in a statement.
Tina Ramirez, another candidate in the seventh called for the repeal of the law earlier this week. “I should not be afraid for my daughter’s safety when I send her to school, but HB 257 makes our children less safe. I am calling on the House of Delegates and our new Governor to repeal this horrendous bill,” Ramirez tweeted Monday.
After announcing her candidacy for the seventh Wednesday, state Sen. Amanda Chase (R-Chesterfield) specifically pointed out in an interview that she and Reeves were on different sides of HB 257. “Sen. Reeves, while we vote together on many issues, there are issues we are different on. I voted against allowing public schools and universities to be able to cover up criminal activity,” Chase said. “Bryce Reeves voted that it is okay for public schools to protect.”
Several sources involved with Republican politics are not expecting governor-elect Glenn Youngkin to endorse in congressional nomination races this year. State senators and delegates are seeking federal nominations across Virginia and Youngkin cannot afford to piss any of them off with such a slim margin in the House and being in the minority in the senate.
Republican lieutenant governor-elect Winsome Sears caused quite a stir when she attended a campaign launch party for VA-07 Republican candidate Tina Ramirez Tuesday night. Sears did not endorse Ramirez, but the optics of her attendance did not go over well with the other candidates in the race. While none of the other candidates commented publicly Amanda Chase did say she sent a text to Sears on Tuesday as a reminder that she will be in the VA-07 race. Chase endorsed Sears in the LG convention earlier this year.
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House Republicans nominate Paul Nardo for House clerk again
Speaker-designee Todd Gilbert issued the following statement:
“It is my honor today to announce that the Honorable G. Paul Nardo has been nominated by the House Republican Caucus to serve as Clerk of the House of Delegates and Keeper of the Rolls of the Commonwealth.
“The hallmark of Paul’s prior service as Clerk was professionalism, and he ensured the House operated with clock-work precision and efficiency. Scrupulously non-partisan, Paul extended the same outstanding service to every member of the House, regardless of party affiliation or length of service. A William & Mary alumnus with civic and community involvement most notably through the Rotary Club of Richmond, Paul’s eight-year tenure as Clerk makes him ideally qualified to serve. The House Republican Caucus, which tapped him as Clerk-designee at its meeting on November 14, is excited to have Paul continue his devoted public service to the Commonwealth when he returns to the dais.
“Outgoing Clerk Suzette Denslow devoted many hours of service to the House under difficult and unprecedented circumstances. From organizing an outdoor session of the House to managing its first ‘virtual’ sessions, she took on these challenges with purposeful resolve. She has graciously agreed to assist in the transition, for which I am thankful.”
For more information about Mr. Nardo, see https://history.house.virginia.gov/clerks/47.
Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin is set to hold “Thank You” rallies on Friday in Lynchburg and Roanoke.
Event Details for Friday, November 19th:
Roanoke
12:00 PM
Community Church
1923 E. Main Street
Salem, VA
Lynchburg
6:30 PM
Thomas Road Baptist Church
1 Mountain View Road
Lynchburg, VA
Youngkin: Victory shows winning GOP path on education - Associated Press
by Jonathan Cooper
Incoming Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Wednesday his victory in a strongly Democratic state showed a winning path for Republicans to talk about education, an issue for which he said the GOP has “historically been a bit on our heels.”
Youngkin spoke at the Republican Governors Association annual meeting in Phoenix, where governors, donors and strategists were riding high on his victory in a state Democratic President Joe Biden won by 10 points just one year ago.
South Hill native kicks off campaign for 5th District seat - SOVA Now
Warren McLellan, a 41-year-old native of South Hill and current Charlottesville resident, has declared his candidacy for Virginia’s Fifth Congressional District. He is seeking the Democratic nomination in the 2022 midterm elections. The incumbent is Rep. Bob Good - R-Campbell.
McLellan, who has lived and worked his whole life in Southside and central Virginia, said he’s driven to serve by his love of place and a core belief that the bonds of our shared values are stronger than the extreme partisan forces trying to pull us apart.
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