The latest in Virginia Politics
It is almost Friday.
Welcome to Thursday! Here is the latest political news.
Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano Endorses Sean Perryman for Lt. Governor
Sean Perryman’s campaign for Lt. Governor of Virginia announced the endorsement of Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano on Thursday.
“I’m proud to endorse my friend Sean Perryman for Lt. Governor because I know that Sean will fight for a more just and equitable commonwealth where no Virginian is left behind because of the color of their skin, size of their bank account, or where they’re from,” said Descano. “Sean is a passionate criminal justice reformer who understands that Virginia must lead the way in addressing the scourge of mass incarceration. I encourage my fellow Virginians to join me in doing everything I can to make Sean Perryman our next lieutenant governor.”
Virginia governor candidate Pete Snyder reveals election-integrity plan - Fox News
Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Pete Snyder revealed on Wednesday his plan to ensure election integrity in the state as the race for governor heats up.
"Having secure, legal, and trustworthy elections is something that we must demand in our Commonwealth," Snyder told Fox News in a statement. "Unfortunately, for too many Virginians, whether they be Republicans, Democrats or Independents, trust in our election system has been severely strained and due to many last minute Covid-related changes to our voting systems, government has failed to deliver on the transparency and accountability expected from voters."
New Virginia PAC forms to diversify state's political landscape - Politico
by Maya King
An Obama White House alum has formed a political action committee aimed at diversifying state and local campaigns in Virginia.
The Virginia People’s PAC, launched Wednesday, was created by Nick Rathod, a Virginia-based political consultant and Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs under President Obama. Its goal is to recruit and train people of color for senior-level staffing roles on political campaigns. Angela Kasey, a Senate campaign staffer who worked on campaigns for Tim Kaine, Kamala Harris and Jon Ossoff, will serve as the PAC’s executive director.
HD-66 Candidate endorses Kirk Cox for Governor - Chase is disappointed and disgusted
HD-66 House of Delegates Republican candidate Mike Cherry and the current delegate for that seat announced Wednesday that they are endorsing each other. Cherry is the only current Republican candidate in the district that is also inside of gubernatorial candidate Amanda Chase’s state Senate district.
Chase said she was an early supporter of Cherry and has donated to his candidacy while Cox waited until now to announce his support. In an interview with Virginia Scope, the senator said that Cherry has lost her endorsement. “We don’t need backstabbing politicians and apparently Cherry has chosen to be one. I had high hopes for him.”
"A Pretty Penny" (with Jennifer McClellan & Jennifer Carroll Foy) - from Crooked Media’s “Hysteria”
This week Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco discuss the recent accusations against Governor Cuomo, then kick off Women’s History Month by featuring two amazing women running for Governor of Virginia: State Senator Jennifer McClellan and Jennifer Carroll Foy. Then Priyanka Aribindi and Michaela Watkins join to discuss our money diaries and how the pandemic has impacted our relationship with money. Finally, Alyssa has a qualm with varying brightness on car headlights in I Feel Petty.
Del. Nick Rush says he will not run for reelection - Roanoke Times
by Mike Gangloff
Longtime New River Valley Del. Nick Rush says this year will be his last in the General Assembly.
The 52-year-old Republican, who has represented Virginia’s 7th House of Delegates District for a decade, announced on Facebook that he will not run this fall for a sixth term.
314 Action Endorses Delegate Hala Ayala (D) for Lieutenant Governor
Delegate Hala Ayala’s campaign for Virginia Lieutenant Governor announced the endorsement of 314 Action, an organization dedicated to electing scientists, doctors, and STEM professionals.
“From passing her bill to expand broadband access to successfully working to expand Medicaid for 400,000 Virginians, Hala Ayala has proven herself a tenacious advocate for policymaking rooted in science,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, President of 314 Action. “Hala will continue to fight for the people of Virginia as the state’s lieutenant governor, promoting facts and evidence-based solutions to the most pressing issues facing Virginians.”
Terry McAuliffe Calls on Senate to Protect Virginians and Pass President Biden’s American Rescue Plan
Terry McAuliffe today released the following statement calling on the Senate to pass the American Rescue Plan and give Virginians much-needed support to recover from this pandemic:
“After facing the worst pandemic in generations and a total leadership vacuum left by Donald Trump, Virginians can finally be reassured that help is on the way thanks to President Biden and the vote the House of Representatives took last week. This pandemic has left too many Virginians out of work and at risk of losing their homes. Our Commonwealth needs a big, bold aid package that puts people back to work and gets our economy back on track.
“As governor, I will work closely with President Biden on future relief efforts to ensure Virginians' needs are addressed. I will make sure we invest new federal dollars strategically to jumpstart our economy, ensure families have access to essential resources, make healthcare more accessible and affordable, and build Virginia back stronger than ever.
“This is not the time to tinker around the edges -- Virginians need the American Rescue Plan. After a year of this pandemic, with thousands out of work, President Biden has shown our nation the leadership we need to beat this virus and get our economy back on track. It’s a shame that not a single Republican Member of Congress, including none of the Republicans representing our Commonwealth, voted for this much-needed infusion of dollars. It is now up to the Senate to pass this critical rescue package as soon as possible.”
Spanberger Honors the Life of Henrico County Police Department Captain Donald Lambert on Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives
On the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Spanberger recognized the leadership and service of Captain Lambert, a 33-year veteran of the Henrico Police Department who was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Saturday, February 27, 2021. Additionally, she shared her personal experiences working with Captain Lambert in his role as head of the Police Department’s Special Operations Group.