Statewide campaign update
The latest in Virginia politics
Terry McAuliffe announced a plan to build a “flourishing economy” for rural Virginia
“Even if you have the capacity to bring in new connectivity and broadband, many of these old structures that we have can’t handle the increased cable that we need. So, we’ve literally got to tear all of the pieces apart and rebuild,” McAuliffe said during a virtual conversation. “We’ve got to rebuild all these schools, we’ve got to invest the money, we’ve got to invest in our teachers. We’re down a thousand teachers in Virginia today… They’re in some of the harder economically hit areas. And that’s not fair for substitute teachers. That’s why we’ve got to lean in on child nutrition, we’ve got to help the schools because, until we do that, these students are not going to get the skills [they need].”
Pete Snyder on The Larry O’Connor Show
Gubernatorial candidate Pete Snyder discusses the race.
Ronald Reagan's Education Secretary Bill Bennett endorsed Pete Snyder for governor
“Pete Snyder has been both a foot soldier and a leader in our conservative movement," said Bill Bennett. "I’ve been amazed and impressed in how he and his wife, Burson, put our conservative values to work, helping tens of thousands of Virginians and Americans during this horrible pandemic with his Virginia 30 Day Fund."
Bennett continued: "More so, no one else has taken the fight to the radical teachers unions the way Pete Snyder has during this Governor’s race. Pete has helped to expose the racist 1619 Project and extremist Critical Race Theory in Virginia’s public school system and I have great confidence that all of these will be eliminated during a Governor Snyder administration. That is why I wholeheartedly endorse conservative businessman Pete Snyder for Governor of Virginia.”
Del. Jay Jones Discusses Campaign for Virginia AG on MSNBC
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring’s stiffest election challenge may come from his own party - Washington Post
by Justin Jouvenal
Mark R. Herring is a fixture of Virginia’s Democratic Party, thrilling the liberal base over two terms as attorney general by battling the Trump administration, defending same-sex marriage and pushing for gun restrictions.
But in a sign of the state’s changing politics, the stiffest challenge to him winning a third term in November may come from within his own party.
GOP candidate for lieutenant governor sues to find out who called him a 'gay Democrat' - Richmond Times-Dispatch
by Patrick Wilson
Del. Glenn Davis wants to know who sent text messages to Republican convention delegates that called him a “gay Democrat,” and he wants to hold the sender accountable for the false claims, according to a lawsuit he filed.
Davis filed a defamation lawsuit Tuesday in Norfolk Circuit Court against “Jane Doe” in hopes of finding the culprit or culprits.
GOP convention results could come as late as May 13; count features couriers, ballroom, off-duty cops - Richmond Times-Dispatch
by Mel Leonor
Tabulators and state GOP officials will hunker down in a ballroom at the Richmond Marriott starting Sunday to hand count an unprecedented swarm of paper convention ballots in order to determine the party’s statewide ticket.
The ballroom is reserved through Thursday, May 13 — a five-day span party officials hope will be enough time to get through the drove and announce the winners.
The tight battle for control of Virginia's House of Delegates - CBS News
by Aaron Navarro
Virginia's off-year gubernatorial races have historically served as a temperature check for the party controlling the White House. In every gubernatorial election since 1977 (except for 2013), the state has elected a governor from the party opposite the president's.
The tight race for control of the Virginia House of Delegates could also provide some sense of where the parties stand ahead of the midterm congressional elections in 2022.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz joins Glenn Youngkin’s campaign in Hampton Roads - Wavy News
by Julius Ayo
The Texas senator will join Youngkin at the Hunt Club Farm in Virginia Beach Thursday afternoon, May 6.
Youngkin, the former CEO of the Carlyle Group, and his wife Suzanne created Virginia Ready when the coronavirus pandemic hit Virginia. The multifaceted nonprofit aims to connect people looking for jobs with training programs to gain new skills, and then with companies looking to hire. Roughly 2,000 Virginians have used the program, preparing for a new career and new life.
More News:
To reduce racial disparities in Virginia schools, advisers say more of the numbers should be public
Henrico County increases absentee voting locations to five for June primary
ACLU warns Staunton mayor Oakes of potential 1st Amendment, Disabilities Act violations
VMI to remove Stonewall Jackson's name from buildings, contextualize art