The statewide candidate list has been finalized and two GOP gubernatorial candidates endorsed a lieutenant governor candidate.

The latest in Virginia politics.

Mar 29, 2021

The statewide ballots are finalized with 31 Republican and Democratic candidates

The list of Democratic primary and Republican convention candidates has been finalized.

There are seven Republicans and five Democrats running for governor, Five Republicans and eight Democrats running for lieutenant governor, and four Republicans and two Democrats running for attorney general.

State Senator Amanda Chase, Delegate Kirk Cox, media executive Pete Snyder and former executive of The Carlyle Group Glenn Youngkin are the front runners in the crowded Republican gubernatorial field. Additionally, former think tank executive Peter Doran, former Roanoke Sheriff Octavia Johnson and former Trump official Sergio de la Pena will be on the convention ballot May 8.

The Democratic side of the gubernatorial race is not so crowded. Delegate Lee Carter, former Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy, former Governor Terry McAuliffe and state Senator Jennifer McClellan are leading the field. Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax, who won statewide just three years ago providing himself with a name ID advantage, will also be on the primary ballot June 8. His gubernatorial campaign, however, has been close to non-existent so far.

The Republican roster for lieutenant governor includes Puneet Ahluwalia, Lance Allen, Del. Glenn Davis, Del. Tim Hugo, Maeve Rigler and former Delegate Winsome Sears.

The Democratic lieutenant governor field includes Del. Hala Ayala, Paul Goldman, Del. Elizabeth Guzman, Del. Mark Levine, Councilor Andria McClellan, Sean Perryman, Del. Sam Rasoul and Xavier Warren.

The Republican field for attorney general includes Supervisor Leslie Haley, Del. Jason Miyares, Chuck Smith and Jack White.

The Democratic race is between two-term incumbent Mark Herring and his challenger, state Delegate Jay Jones.

Republican nominees will be chosen in a statewide unassembled convention that takes place on May 8. The Democratic nominees will be chosen in a primary election that takes place on June 8.

Jones calls for an investigation & local NAACP expresses concern after Virginia Beach officer-involved shooting

While responding to multiple shooting incidents at the oceanfront Friday night, a Virginia Beach police officer shot and killed Donovan Lynch in the chaos. According to police officials, the latest evidence shows that Lynch was not armed when he was shot. Footage from equipment that is intended to provide visual proof is not available, however, because it does not exist.

The officer involved in the shooting was wearing a body camera, but it was not turned on at the time of the shooting. “The officer was wearing a bodycam, but for unknown reasons at this point in time, it was not activated,” Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate said Saturday night during a press conference.

Now Democratic candidate for attorney general, Del. Jay Jones, is calling on his primary opponent Mark Herring to investigate the recent shooting. The Virginia Beach chapter of NAACP also issued a statement saying there are unanswered questions revolving around that night and continued to call for a Citizen Review Board.

“The City embarked on the Body-Worn Camera Project of 450 body worn cameras and 250 in-car dash cameras to be distributed to officers as a tool to gather evidence, provide information about police interactions, increase accountability, and strengthen the relationships with the community. In this incident, the department has failed on all accounts,” the Virginia Beach chapter of NAACP said in a statement Sunday night.

Neudigate said that a gun was located “in the vicinity of where this incident occurred,” but there is no evidence to show the gun belonged to Lynch.

“The Virginia Beach community deserves answers to the horrendous shootings that occurred this weekend,” Del. Jones said Sunday night in a statement. “Body cameras are designed for transparency into police conduct – specifically situations like what happened over the weekend – to provide a clear record of interactions with the public it serves in the field. It is unconscionable that the body camera worn by a police officer involved in a fatal shooting was not activated, and I am calling on the Attorney General to use his full investigative authority to determine what went wrong here. We need far better accountability and transparency, and the families of those killed by police, in Virginia Beach and across this country, deserve answers.”

Herring’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment. He did tweet about the shooting Satuday morning, as the details were still being released. “Today we are all waking up to news of yet another senseless gun violence tragedy,” Herring said in a tweet Saturday. “As we await more info, I want Virginians to know that our work to end gun violence and support our neighbors is never ending.”

The Virginia Beach NAACP described the entire situation as distressing. “We are faced with unanswered questions and the lost lives of Mr. Donovan W. Lynch and Ms. Deshayla E. Harris,” they said in a statement Sunday night. “After watching the press conference by Chief Paul Neudigate, we are not surprised of the revelation that the body camera of the officer involved in the death of Mr. Lynch was not activated. Disciplinary actions surrounding an officer misconduct should not be withheld from the public under the pretext. ‘It’s a personnel issue.’ This has been the case in the past. Transparency of police discipline is required now.”

VBPD has not identified the officer involved in the shooting and they have been placed on administrative leave until the investigation is completed.

Delegate Angelia Williams Graves Endorses Terry McAuliffe for Governor

Delegate Angelia Williams Graves (D-Norfolk) announced today that she is endorsing Terry McAuliffe as he is seeking the Democratic nomination to run for governor of Virginia.

“As a former city council member, I know firsthand how much strain the COVID-19 pandemic has put on local communities across the Commonwealth," said Williams Graves. "And I also know Terry McAuliffe is a proven leader who has already demonstrated his ability to get things done in tough times. As the next governor of Virginia, Terry will work to make sure communities of color benefit from our post-COVID recovery and that is why I am proud to endorse him today."

Williams Graves is the 34th member of the General Assembly and the 11th member of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus to endorse McAuliffe for governor. "Terry’s dedication to addressing the racial, socioeconomic and geographic inequities in our education system will be critical to our post-COVID recovery," Williams Graves continued.

McAuliffe is continuing to build a large and powerful coalition of supporters across the Commonwealth as he is seeking a second term as Virginia's governor. He has already served in the position from 2014-2018, but Virginia has a term limit preventing any sitting governor from seeking immediate reelection.

Republican gubernatorial candidates Amanda Chase and Octavia Johnson endorse Winsome Sears for lieutenant governor

2021 Republican Gubernatorial candidates Senator Amanda Chase and former Roanoke Sheriff Octavia Johnson endorsed Winsome Sears as she is seeking the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor.

“I believe Winsome Sears will usher in the next generation of firebrand Republicans who are passionate, articulate and uncompromising on our conservative values,” said Senator Amanda Chase.

“Winsome Sears is a person of character, courage and determination. Winsome is a proven leader uniquely suited to the office of Lieutenant Governor,” former Sheriff of Roanoke City Octavia Johnson said. “It is my pleasure to endorse Winsome Sears for Lieutenant Governor.”

Sears is vying for the nomination with Del. Glenn Davis, Del. Tim Hugo, Puneet Ahluwalia, Lance Allen and Maeve Rigler.

“I’m absolutely honored to receive endorsements from these conservative women and the momentum my campaign is receiving can only be attributed to the work of the Lord,” Sears said.

Virginia Democratic campaign workers unionize in push to improve conditions - Roanoke Times

by Amy Friedenberger

Coffee and pizza sustains them. They work long, unpredictable hours for low pay. Campaign workers have come to expect these conditions, all in the hope that their candidate wins.

Political work is grueling, so the workers for some campaigns are trying to establish standards.

Trump the X-factor in Virginia governor race - The Hill

by Julia Manchester

Former President Trump is already deeply involved in the 2022 midterm elections, headlining fundraisers and backing primary challengers, but he has yet to weigh in on one of November's few races: the vote for Virginia's next governor.

While a number of the GOP candidates in the field have embraced the former president and his policies, Virginia has been trending blue in recent years, making Trump's potential presence — or absence — the contest's key X-factor.

Gubernatorial candidate Youngkin talks issues at Amherst County meet-and-greet - The News Advance

by Nick Cropper

Republican gubernatorial candidate and Virginia native Glenn Youngkin made a pit stop Saturday morning in Amherst County, where he took aim at Democrats and left-leaning policies and said he wants to use his experience as a business executive to “reinvigorate, rebuild, reestablish” the state.

“We do not recognize this great commonwealth today. She is in the ditch ... Democrats drove her into the ditch and they have been piling dirt on her every chance they get,” Youngkin said.

What Virginia’s school outbreak dashboard can — and can’t — say about the risks of reopening - Virginia Mercury

by Kate Masters

In late September, when Virginia health officials launched a dashboard that detailed outbreaks in K-12 schools across the state, it was applauded as a long-needed step toward more transparency — and a relief for parents hesitant over the prospect of sending their children back to the classroom.

Six months later, the data on reopening has gained even more importance amid a state and nationwide push to return students to the classroom. But there are limits on what it can and can’t tell officials, parents and others looking for answers on the relative risks of in-person school.

Mike Cherry receives GOP nomination to run for Cox’s House seat.

After Kirk Cox has represented the Colonial Heights district for 31 years, a new Republican will be attempting to fill his shoes this November. Mike Cherry, a Colonial Heights city councilor is the nominee that is set to take on the Democrats in a tough battle for the seat.

“I’m thankful for my family, campaign team, and the countless volunteers and supporters who helped our campaign get to this point,” Cherry said Monday. “With our focus set towards November, I’ll be everywhere talking about the issues that really matter to our district – including fixing our broken education system and supporting our law enforcement. I look forward to being out on the trail and the opportunity to earn voters’ support.”

After the courts forced a redraw of the district in 2019 due to racial gerrymandering, this seat now leans-Democratic, making it a hard feat for a candidate with no experience in state politics to win this seat. The Democratic candidate will be chosen on June 8 in a primary election.

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