McAuliffe and Youngkin spar over minimum wage, Youngkin's internal poll results, and which precincts did McAuliffe lose in the primary

The latest in Virginia politics.

This is a daily newsletter covering Virginia politics with a special focus on the gubernatorial race. Please consider supporting independent journalism and Virginia Scope by becoming a paid subscriber today!

Also thank you so much to all of the incredible people that have already subscribed or donated! It means the world and keeps this project moving forward.

---

McAuliffe hits Youngkin over minimum wage comments

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry Mcauliffe said in his victory speech on primary night that he wants to make sure the minimum wage in Virginia reaches $15/hr in three years. He reiterated that in a recent interview with WJLA.

In that same article, the Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin said the opposite. “We know for a fact that when you impose a $15 minimum wage broadly across Virginia, we are going to lose jobs,” he said. “We must get our economy open, we have to carve back the mounds of red tape that have been piled on businesses. And I believe our small businesses and entrepreneurialism in Virginia has been absolutely crushed. And therefore, I believe a tax holiday for small businesses is warranted in helping them get back on their feet.”

Now McAuliffe and the Democratic Party of Virginia are on the offensive over Youngkin’s comments. “Glenn Youngkin’s opposition to raising the minimum wage shows who he really is: an extreme, right-wing Trump Republican with no plans to help Virginia families,” McAuliffe said in a statement Thursday night.

McAuliffe and Democrats are not shying away from tying Youngkin to Trump — something they have been doing since Youngkin won the nomination in early May.

Brandon Jarvis @Jaaavis

During opening statements in the gubernatorial debate, McAuliffe sounds like he is already running against Youngkin, while the other candidates are trying to separate themselves from their fellow Democratic candidates.

Another point that McAuliffe seems to have zeroed in on is the lack of policy content coming from the Youngkin campaign. “Virginians deserve experienced leadership with a track record of creating good jobs and lifting people up, but all Glenn has is one 'plan' based on Donald Trump’s conspiracy theory about the 2020 election.“

So far, Youngkin has focused his campaign mainly on his business success at The Carlyle Group and opposing Democratic control. Besides a tab for building an election integrity task force, Youngkin’s campaign website does not show any policy ideas or stances.

The Youngkin campaign did not respond to additional requests for comment.

---

Final Results Show Terry McAuliffe won every locality in Virginia, 96% of precincts across the state - VPAP

In addition to carrying every Virginia locality, Democrat Terry McAuliffe won more than 96% of the state's 2,452 precincts in his decisive showing in Tuesday's gubernatorial primary.

McAuliffe lost only 84 of Virginia's 2,452 precincts.

---

Internal polls from the Youngkin campaign show him within two points of McAuliffe

Brandon Jarvis @Jaaavis

politico.com/f/?id=00000179…

Brandon Jarvis @Jaaavis

From the Va Democrats in a fundraising email

---

Environmental Justice Map Shows Pollution Burden on Virginia's Targeted Communities

Mapping for Environmental Justice (MEJ), a team of policy and data experts working with communities across the United States to measure environmental justice, recently released its Virginia map in partnership with the Virginia Environmental Justice Collaborative. The mapping effort identified several environmental justice hotspots, including Richmond, Norfolk, and Danville. The hotspots have high levels of pollution burden and are disproportionately areas that have been intentionally and systematically divested of wealth and resources.

The resulting map shows where communities are nearly five times more likely to be exposed to air pollution from traffic and are 3.6 times more likely to live near a Superfund site. The disparity holds across an array of environmental hazards, from wastewater releases to air toxics.

Queen Shabazz, Coordinator of the VEJC, says the map will be an important organizing tool for  communities that have historically been targeted for undesirable land uses, such as mega landfills  and compressor stations. “The map will serve to link communities that are facing similar  challenges and use those similarities to strengthen organization and opposition to corporate  polluters... In Virginia we are resisting. This map will aid in the resistance.” 

---

Terry McAuliffe going to New York to raise campaign cash for Virginia gubernatorial campaign - CNBC

by Brian Schwartz

Terry McAuliffe is heading to New York for a fundraising event that will feature some of the Democratic Party’s most affluent donors as he prepares for what will likely be an expensive general election fight to reclaim the Virginia governor’s office.

McAuliffe, who won the Democratic nomination for governor on Tuesday, is coming to the Big Apple later this month. New York businessman and Democratic donor Dennis Mehiel will host McAuliffe at an event at his home, according to an invitation obtained by CNBC.

---

If you believe the candidates, Virginia’s governor race pits clueless Dem relic vs. Trump lackey - Washington Times

by Seth Mclaughlin

Republican Glenn Youngkin welcomed Democrat Terry McAuliffe to Virginia’s gubernatorial race by casting Mr. McAuliffe as a relic who is out of touch with voters, including his base.

Mr. McAuliffe, meanwhile, spent a good chunk of his election night celebration casting Mr. Youngkin as a Trump lackey who embraces false election conspiracies and pals around with the likes of Sen. Ted Cruz, the Texas firebrand blamed for the 2013 government shutdown that impacted the federal workforce in Virginia.

---

Rasoul Announces Commitment To 250,000 Voter Contacts To Support House & Statewide Races 

Del. Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke) announced Thursday a commitment to contact 250,000 voters in support of progressive House of Delegate candidates through the Impact Center ahead of the November election. 

“It’s crucial as we near the General Election that voters know they won’t be left behind. We’re committed to uplifting voices of all Virginians, regardless of their zip codes,” Rasoul said. “Whether it be through text messages, phone banking, postcards, or door knocking, our Impact Center team will contact at least 250,000 voters to make sure they know they have a choice on the ballot.” 

---

More News:

• Primary victories put several Black candidates in position to win

• Luria proposes VA cost of living adjustment

• Despite lawmakers lifting caps on school and government solar, COVID-19

• State could spend $1.3B of federal aid to refill jobless fundslowed growth

• Frederick supervisors mull making county a 'constitutional sanctuary'

• Virginia Beach police says all sworn personnel now have body cameras after Donovan Lynch was killed by officer without functioning body camera