The first GOP gubernatorial forum brought the fireworks
The latest from Virginia politics.
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Cox researched the organizers and skipped the forum; Youngkin accused Snyder of a misleading ad campaign - Virginia Scope
All of the Republican candidates except for one, former House Speaker Kirk Cox, were in attendance Sunday at a gubernatorial forum in Fredericksburg. When Cox was asked why he was not present at the in-person forum, a spokesperson for his campaign implied that it was due to the reputation and past actions of the people who organized the event.
The event was hosted by Nick Ignacio, the chairman of the Battlefield Chapter of Virginia Patriots. Ignacio is currently running to be a Spotsylvania County Supervisor and he unsuccessfully primaried Bobby Orrock for the 54th district House of Delegates seat in 2017.
During that primary race, a video was discovered that showed Ignacio simulating sexual acts with a toy and making vulgar anti-gay remarks.
The Free Lance-Star reported in 2017 on the video. “Ignacio, a 32-year-old Spotsylvania County resident who describes himself as a “normal God-fearing guy” on his campaign website, criticized The Free Lance–Star for asking him about the videos and said he would not answer questions unrelated to policies or his campaign. He called The Free Lance–Star biased in an interview Friday and repeatedly referred to the article as a “hit piece” in a voicemail message Monday.”
Virginia's off-year elections could pose key test for both parties - CNN
By Abby Phillip and Jeff Simon
A 16-year political shift has transformed the Commonwealth of Virginia from a solidly red state to a blue one. Democrats in the state now control all levers of power -- the Governor's mansion, and both chambers of the state legislature -- for the first time in a generation. And they are leading in an unapologetically progressive direction.
The story of Virginia politics in 2021 is a tale of two political parties. Democrats are riding a wave of demographic change and suburban revolt away from the GOP to political power. And Republicans are searching for a way forward, while trying to placate a base increasingly loyal to Trump and motivated by conspiratorial views.
Editorial: Will gubernatorial candidates commit to a debate in Southwest Virginia? - Roanoke Times
We’re starting to get some polling on how things stand, so let’s chew on the first bones we’ve been thrown — two separate polls by YouGov and Christopher Newport University’s polling arm at the Wason Center for Civic Leadership.
The two polls have different numbers but both paint the same big picture — former governor Terry McAuliffe leads the Democratic field and state Sen. Amanda Chase leads the Republican field but neither is especially popular and neither should count the nomination as a certainty.
Va. first responders with COVID-19 expected to receive pay protections - WTOP
A bill from State Delegate Jay Jones (D-Norfolk) allowing first responders who contract the virus to be included in the state’s workers compensation system has passed both the House and the Senate. Northam is expected to sign it into law.
In a statement after the bill passed, Jones released the following statement: “Our first responders have been on the front-lines of the pandemic for a year and they deserve the ability to make a workers compensation claim for COVID if they were exposed on the job.” said Delegate Jones. “Firefighters, law enforcement, and EMS providers have come into contact with COVID far too often and we have an obligation to protect them. The current worker’s protections outlined in the Code of Virginia are inadequate and this is a simple but incredibly necessary fix that protects those who have sacrificed so much to keep the rest of us safe. I’d like to offer my sincerest thanks to former Governor Terry McAuliffe for his efforts to secure the retroactive provision in this legislation.”
Video: At “Patriots” Gubernatorial Forum, Glenn Youngkin Says “JV” Pete Snyder Should Be “Ashamed” For His “Lies”; Snyder Responds, “IF I ever hit you, you will know” - Blue Virginia
“Why are we even talking about this now? We’re in a global pandemic, and these ridiculous policies that the left is pushing at us, to try to have transgender bathrooms in our schools. You know, I missed my daughter’s lacrosse practice today; first time ever. Well guess what, there is no way I’m going to come home to her three years from now and have to see her crying because she got cut from the team or isn’t even starting, because someone who two weeks ago used to be a dude. I’m sorry, not happening on my watch.” - Pete Snyder
Virginia Democrats Pass Slew of New Laws As Session Ends - VPM News
by Ben Paviour and Roberto Roldan
The General Assembly wrapped up its 2021 session on Saturday after lawmakers passed major legislation on marijuana legalization, criminal justice reform, and COVID-19.
For a second year, Virginia Democrats used majorities in the House and Senate to push their top priorities. They advanced “first-in-the-South” legislation that would ban the death penalty, create a Virginia Voting Rights Act, and declare racism a public health crisis. Lawmakers moved to allow people to expunge criminal records and expand access to absentee voting.
Terry McAuliffe Commends General Assembly on Passage of Resolution for Automatic Restoration of Voting Rights Amendment
Terry McAuliffe released a statement commending the General Assembly on the passage of HJ 555 and SJ 272, resolutions to enshrine into Virginia’s constitution the automatic restoration of voting rights for individuals previously convicted of felony offenses and served their time.
"There is no more fundamental right than the ability to participate in our democratic process. This racist Jim Crow-era law was designed specifically to disenfranchise Black Virginians, and it is past time we get rid of it once and for all. I commend Governor Northam for making this a priority and the General Assembly for making critical progress toward codifying the automatic restoration of voting rights into our constitution,” McAuliffe said. “One of the proudest accomplishments of my life was reversing this racist practice and restoring voting rights to 173,000 Virginians. But there is still work to be done. Passing this resolution is a critical step toward righting historical wrongs and finally putting the Commonwealth on the right side of history.”
Former Congressman Randy Forbes and Chesapeake Leaders Endorse Jason Miyares (R) for Attorney General
"I have known Jason for two decades and have always known him to be a principled conservative,” Forbes said. “He is on the front lines fighting against one party rule in Richmond. Jason represents the future of our party because he can expand our outreach across Virginia. He has my full support."
Giles attorney announces run for Va. House of Delegates - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
by George Thwaites
Giles County attorney Jason Ballard kicked off his campaign to run for the Virginia House of Delegates during an inaugural campaign announcement event held at Friends and Family Restaurant in Pearisburg, Va., on Saturday morning.
Ballard, a civilian trial lawyer with the law firm of Headley Ballard, LLC and a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, intends to run as the Republican candidate for the 12th District House seat currently occupied by Del. Chris Hurst, a Democrat from Montgomery County.
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