Potential 2025 Republicans outraised potential 2025 Democrats
Miyares led possible Republican '25 candidates while Stoney led Democrats.
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Leadership committee numbers
Elected officials open up leadership committees to try and advance their agenda with money across Virginia. They could already be elected statewide like Governor Youngkin, they could be elected statewide with ambitions to move up in 2025, or they could be looking to run statewide for the first time.
Republican committees drastically outraised Democrats during the first six months of the year in general, but here is a look at what some of the top committees between April 1 and June 30:
Gov. Youngkin’s ‘Spirit of Virginia PAC’ raised $5,919,113
Future of Education LLC and Thomas Peterffy each gave Youngkin’s PAC $1 million.
Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares’ PAC ‘A Safer Virginia’ raised $1,622,880.
$1 million of his funds raised were listed as miscellaneous receipts.
Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert (R) raised $762,652 with his ‘Republican Commonwealth Leadership PAC.’
John Good and William Holtzman gave $100K to the PAC.
The ‘Winsome PAC,’ which is obviously associated with Lieutenant Gov. Winsome Sears (R) raised $576,665
Elizabeth Uihlein gave the Winsome PAC $250,000.
The highest-raising Democratic committee was Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney’s ‘Better Way PAC.’ He raised $202,067.
Terry McAuliffe’s Common Good PAC was the largest donor giving Stoney’s PAC $25,000.
Eileen Filler-Corn’s ‘Energized for Change PAC’ raised $129,738.
Her largest donor besides herself was Friends of Wendy Gooditis for $12,000.
Juan Pablo Segura released a Spanish radio ad
Juana Pablo Segura released a Spanish radio ad for his state Senate campaign in Northern Virginia’s SD-31. Segura is running for an open seat against Russet Perry. According to analysis from VPAP, this is a competitive district.
Youngkin implements K-12 transgender policy that emphasizes parents' rights - RTD
by Anna Bryson
The Youngkin administration on Tuesday implemented a finalized K-12 transgender policy that emphasizes parents’ rights and rolls back some of the protections afforded to transgender students under the previous administration’s model policies.
The new model policies, which the Virginia Department of Education put into effect Tuesday afternoon, aim to require students to use school bathrooms that match the sex they were assigned at birth “except to the extent that federal law otherwise requires.”
Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Statement on VDOE’s Updated Model Policies
Related: Virginia finalizes guidance on transgender students, including rolling back some accommodations
“All children in Virginia deserve to have a parent engaged in their life and to be treated with dignity and respect,” Youngkin said. “The VDOE updated model policies reaffirm my administration’s continued commitment to ensure that every parent is involved in conversations regarding their child’s education, upbringing, and care. Public comment, input, and concerns were carefully evaluated and assessed to formulate the updated model policies. The Department of Education has delivered policies that empower parents, prohibit discrimination, create a safe and vibrant learning environment by addressing bullying incidents immediately, and protect the privacy and dignity of all students through bathroom policies, athletic procedures, and student identification measures.”
The Pride Liberation Project released multiple statements in response to the Youngkin policies.
“As a current transgender student, Don’t Be Trans makes me feel extremely anxious to go to school. I feel like school isn’t a safe place for me anymore because these guidelines force me to hide my true self,” said Spencer Vernon, a student in York County.
Bas Rawat, a current George Mason student who graduated from Virginia schools in 2022, added on: "Don’t Be Trans would have prevented me from graduating. School was the only place where I could be myself because my household wasn't supportive. These guidelines will deny thousands of Virginia students the chance to be themselves."
Virginia NAACP demands to see governor’s criteria for restoring voting rights to felons - AP
By Sarah Rankin and Denise Lavoie
The Virginia NAACP on Tuesday called on Gov. Glenn Youngkin to establish clear and publicly available criteria for restoring the voting rights of convicted felons who have served their time, saying the system now is secretive and could discriminate against people of color.
Youngkin has come under scrutiny since his administration confirmed earlier this year that it shifted away from a system used by three of his predecessors that was partly automatic. Two lawsuits have been filed over Youngkin’s process, which critics have said is confusing and does not have clear standards on when an application should be granted or denied.
Court appearance for Del. Fariss postponed again - Cardinal News
by Markus Schmidt
A court appearance by Del. Matt Fariss, R-Campbell County, was continued once again Tuesday after the presiding judge did not show up and could not be reached by phone. Fariss was due in Campbell County General District Court for a preliminary hearing on two felony charges in an alleged hit-and-run that injured a pedestrian in March and led to the woman obtaining a protective order against him.
Fariss was also set to stand trial Tuesday on a misdemeanor reckless driving charge stemming from the same incident. B. Elliott Bondurant, a retired chief judge in New Kent County Circuit Court, is presiding over the case. Chantel Jones, the clerk at the court in Rustburg, said in an email she has been unable to reach Bondurant since at least Friday.
Former Trump Cabinet Member Hosting Event for Virginia Gov. Youngkin - The Messenger
by Martin Kady II and Tom LoBianco
Donald Trump’s former Commerce secretary is pulling together top donors and Republican Party leaders to meet with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin with an eye to recruiting him to run for president.
Wilbur Ross, a wealthy executive and longtime GOP donor, will host Youngkin August 4 at his mansion in the Hamptons on Long Island for a “a chance to listen to Youngkin talk about how he’s going to take over the Virginia legislature,” according to a copy of the invitation viewed by The Messenger.
