New poll numbers in the gubernatorial race
An update on Virginia politics.
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New polling in the gubernatorial race shows McAuliffe with a five-point lead
A new poll from the Conservatives for Clean Energy shows Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe with a five-point lead over his Republican opponent Glenn Youngkin. In the very limited polling that has taken place for this race, this number reflects a consistent lead in this range for McAuliffe.
According to this latest poll, McAuliffe leads Youngkin 45% to 40% with 38 days until early voting begins in Virginia.
The poll was conducted by Co/efficient, a firm that received a provisional rating of B/C pollster rating from FiveThirtyEight. Of the five polls that FiveThirtyEight analyzed, they correctly predicted four of the races correctly.
The results showed McAuliffe with a lead among suburban voters (51% to 30%) urban voters (61% to 32) and women (53% to 35%). Youngkin leads with men (45% to 37%), and rural voters (59% to 28%).
Other results from the poll:
61% to 21% majority agree with an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy that lowers dependence on fossil fuels over time.
55% say Virginia should put more emphasis on solar power, compared to just 21% less emphasis.
Virginians support the right of landowners to build solar projects by a 90% to 10% margin.
Solar projects are preferred over other types of development like housing or industrial by a wide margin – 60% solar, 22% housing, 11% industrial.
When Virginians know that solar projects can help provide income to farmers as well as revenue for schools, they are more likely to support solar by a 62% to 11% margin.
By a 60% to 12% margin, voters support the Virginia regulation requiring utilities to participate in a regional electricity transmission system. Support is broad-based across ideological lines.
“In a time when voters remain polarized along ideological lines, we are encouraged to see broad support for renewables like solar energy across the commonwealth,” said Ron Butler, CCE-VA state director. “It is clear that Virginians support the continued development of clean energy Virginia, and we are proud to be a part of this movement.”
Chesterfield school board votes to require masks for students and staff
The Chesterfield County school board voted Tuesday night to require students and staff to wear masks.
Groups of pro-mask protesters and anti-mask protesters formed outside of the building before the meeting began.
More Virginia News:
Virginia Democrats reshape Court of Appeals with eight new appointments - Virginia Mercury
“I scratch your back, you scratch mine”: Longtime jail vendor describes relationship with ex-Norfolk Sheriff Bob McCabe - Virginian-Pilot
Vaccinated or not, most Virginians are projected to encounter coronavirus soon - Virginian-Pilot
Former assistant U.S. attorney nominated for top job in Western Virginia - Roanoke Times
Attorney General Mark R. Herring today joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general in calling on the U.S. Senate to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2021 (PRO Act). The PRO Act strengthens and modernizes the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which enshrines the fundamental rights to organize, unionize, and bargain collectively.
“Virginia’s workers are the backbone of our economy and it’s so important to give them the ability to advocate for themselves,” said Attorney General Herring. “Passing the PRO Act at the national level will protect workers in Virginia and across the country by allowing them to organize and collectively bargain for what they need. I will continue to stand up for our workers and fight to strengthen the protections for the individuals who work every day to keep our communities going.”
National
Cuomo Resigns Amid Scandals, Ending Decade-Long Run in Disgrace - New York Times
By Luis Ferré-Sadurní and J. David Goodman
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said on Tuesday that he would resign from office, succumbing to a ballooning sexual harassment scandal in an astonishing reversal of fortune for one of the nation’s best-known leaders.
Mr. Cuomo said his resignation would take effect in 14 days. Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, will be sworn in to replace him, becoming the first woman in history to occupy New York State’s top office.
Senate approves bipartisan, $1 trillion infrastructure bill, bringing major Biden goal one step closer - Washington Post
By Tony Romm
The Senate on Tuesday approved a roughly $1 trillion proposal to improve the nation’s roads, bridges, pipes, ports and Internet connections, advancing a historic burst in federal spending after years of failed attempts on Capitol Hill to invest anew in the country’s aging infrastructure.
The 69-to-30 vote follows weeks of turbulent private talks and fierce public debates that sometimes teetered on collapse, as the White House labored alongside Democrats and Republicans to achieve the sort of deal that had eluded them for years. Even though the proposal must still clear the House, where some Democrats recently have raised concerns the measure falls short of what they seek, the Senate outcome moves the bill one step closer to delivering President Biden his first major bipartisan win.
Newsom to announce nation's first vax-or-test rules for teachers - Politico
Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to announce Wednesday that California will require all teachers and school employees to be vaccinated or submit to regular Covid-19 testing, the first such requirement in the nation amid growing Delta variant concerns, according to sources familiar with the plan.
Under the policy, school employees would have to show proof of vaccination to their districts. The move comes after three large California districts announced similar requirements on their own Tuesday and just two days after American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten voiced support for such a mandate.
Kathy Hochul: New York's next governor - Politico
By MARIE J. FRENCH and BILL MAHONEY
New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul spent the afternoon of Aug. 11, 2020 welcoming the Toronto Blue Jays to play in Buffalo where they were stranded by the pandemic.
A year later, she’s poised to become New York’s first female governor.