This is a daily newsletter covering Virginia politics from top to bottom. Please consider becoming the ultimate political insider by supporting non-partisan, independent news and becoming a paid subscriber to this newsletter today.
Have a tip? You can reply to this email, or email me directly at Brandon@virginiascope.com
Today’s Sponsor isFreedom Virginia: The Prescription Drug Affordability Board would empower Virginia to set reasonable rates to protect consumers from unfair and out-of-control prices of medicines they rely on.
SB 957 passed with strong bipartisan support in the Senate, e-mail your support to legislators on the House Commerce & Energy Committee today by clicking here!
Republicans attack their own
Chris Anders, a known Republican entity that fundraises for his group on far-right issues has been continuously attacking Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert (R) in an effort to continue fundraising for his ventures. Anders attacks Gilbert continuously by implying he is a left wing liberal that is in cahoots with the “swamp.”
Anders has been fundraising for his group(s) by pushing Del. Marie March’s bills that would repeal the red flag law and allow constitutional carry. Red flag laws were enacted under Democratic control and it allows a judge to temporarily remove the weapons from an individual that has been deemed a risk to the public. Constitutional carry would allow all Virginians to carry a weapon concealed or in the open without a license. It is already legal in Virginia to open carry without a permit.
Anders complained about the money that people keep donating to his efforts and it is a waste since these laws aren’t being repealed. He said he has spent “thousands of hours and your hard earned donations to fight to restore the 2nd Amendment, only to watch left leaning fake conservatives such as Gilbert and his masters act like Democrats.”
Anders then encourages his followers to donate to a cause that will help primary candidates. But it is not clear what those donations are being used to accomplish. According to VPAP, Anders’ group, the Virginia Constitutional Conservatives, has received $324,169 in contributions since 2017. The group spent $288,425 during that same time.
The expenditures listed almost all go back to Anders through various different names. The largest individual expenditure listed is $9,000 to Virginia Constitutional Conservatives Corp. There there are a lot of expenditures going to Action Advocacy Group, which is the consulting firm where Anders is listed as the president.
There are also various expenditures for social media and mailing efforts.
There are no donations to any Republican candidates listed on VPAP from Virginia Constitutional Conservatives. Action Advocacy Group has given $150 to one candidate in total.
March has been unable to pass any legislation this year likely as a result of her attacks and has alienated herself from the majority of her caucus. Her actions somewhat mirror state Sen. Amanda Chase (R-Chesterfield) who was unable to pass any of her nearly 20 pieces of legislation this year.
Chase also railed against red flag laws but the following documents show that she used the law against one of her employees in 2021.
