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.
The rundown
A Republican congressional candidate in Virginia called Jan. 6 a hoax
Vega questions abortion laws in liberal states which lead to a response from Spanberger and other Democrats
Vega appeared at CPAC and Democrats respond
A California Republican send a letter to Virginia Republicans in support of Kiggans
Speaker Gilbert comments on the Passing of Former Delegate Joe Johnson
Headlines from around Virginia politics
Today’s Sponsor
Virginia campaigns have a new secret weapon, thanks to Virginia's Favorite Union Printers! Check out Gibson Print's new online print-ordering storefront at DemPrinting.com
Leon Benjamin calls Jan. 6 a Hoax
In an email to his supporters last week, Leon Benjamin, the Republican nominee in VA-04 called January 6 a hoax. Benjamin is running against Rep. Donald McEachin (D-Richmond) this November. According to analysis from VPAP, VA-04 voted for Democrat Terry McAuliffe by 24 points during last year’s gubernatorial election.
Did you know that while Americans are suffering from the BORDER INVASION and the RECORD-BREAKING GAS PRICES and the BABY FORMULA SHORTAGES, and the 100 other ways Joe Biden has devastated this country, Nancy Pelosi and RINO Liz Cheney are squarely focused on presenting a NATIONAL TV SHOW TRIAL for something that happened 18 months ago — AND HAS HAD ZERO NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR COUNTRY! The Democrats are going to try to ACTIVATE THEIR BASE by using the January 6th Capitol Protest to paint the Republican party as “insurrectionists and traitors.”
This is all they have left, since abortion and gun control aren’t working.
The Jan 6 farce is utter nonsense, completely false, and a colossal waste of time and money — but for me as a Republican it will be painful because it shows once again that Democrats are not trying to UNITE with us, they're trying to EXTERMINATE US! My name is Leon Benjamin and the one thing Democrats ARE getting right is that our democracy IS on the precipice of extinction. But it’s not because of anything the Republicans are doing; it’s because of EVERYTHING the Democrats are doing!
For 18 months the Democrats have skirted or circumvented every check and balance put in place to keep us a constitutional republic, and this January 6 HOAX is the cherry on top of a pile of crap! This type of state-sponsored propaganda was laughed at when Russia did it back in the 70s, so why would we accept it TODAY, here in the land of freedom?
BECAUSE BIDEN VOTERS REMAIN CLUELESS THAT THEY’VE BEEN PLAYED BY THEIR PARTY AND BY THEIR MEDIA. The good news is that Biden has screwed things up so royally for EVERY AMERICAN ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, that none of what the Dems are trying is really sticking.
The bad news is that they won't stop until the existing Republican party has been folded into their globalist empire of fascism. I’m running for office to stop that.
Liz Cheney and RINOs like her need to be rooted out of our esteemed party, and the only way to do that is by VOTING THEM OUT. We just had another massively successful round of primaries, but we all know from 2020 that Democrats don't believe in fair elections anymore.
So we have to stop them with UNBEATABLE NUMBERS.
God bless you, your families, and God bless America. The country we know, love, and must protect.
Your Friend in Christ,
Leon Benjamin
Vega participated in CPAC
VA-07 Republican nominee Yesli Vega participated in the Conservative Political Action Conference last week to discuss Republicans’ efforts to court Hispanic voters. Vega is running against Rep. Abigail Spanberger in VA-07.
The Democratic Party of Virginia responded to Vega’s appearance with a statement: “Anti-abortion extremist Yesli Vega’s decision to join the CPAC stage with some of the most disgraced members of MAGA-world proves just how out of touch she is with the values and beliefs of Virginians,” said DPVA Spokesperson Gianni Snidle.“Vega – who shared the stage with an antisemitic dictator, election deniers, so-called Christian nationalists, and more – will do anything to bring more attention to her failing campaign, and she deserves to answer for these questions and more.”
Virginia Republican congressional candidate Yesli Vega, who is running against Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) in the competitive 7th District, made a foray into the national conservative spotlight Friday with a brief appearance onstage in Dallasat one of the GOP’s largest annual gatherings, the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Vega, a Prince William County Board supervisor, took part in a short roundtable discussion that accused Democrats of taking minority voters for granted. She appeared alongside Texas Republican congressional candidate Cassy Garcia to ramp up the crowd with promises of a red wave fueled in part by Hispanic conservatives.
VPM reports that Vega questioned whether liberal states' abortion laws are ‘acceptable’
VPM obtained audio last week with VA-07 Republican nominee Yesli Vega questioning the abortion laws in liberal states during an event in May.
“And then you have the other liberal states where they’re gonna have a free-for-all at taking innocent life, and that’s where we have to step in and say ‘What is acceptable and what is not?’” Vega said in the audio. “And in my opinion, I’m sorry, look, God is a giver of life, right, and therefore God takes life.”
Spanberger responded in a statement Friday: “First, my opponent applauded the Supreme Court’s draft opinion to overturn Roe, next, she asserted that women who are raped cannot become pregnant, then, it was reported that she would vote for government-mandated pregnancies and a total ban on abortion — even in cases where a mother’s life is threatened. My opponent’s views deny basic biology, would endanger the lives of Virginia women facing life-threatening pregnancy complications, and are out of touch. In Congress, we contend with complicated issues, making decisions that impact the health, economic prosperity, and security of our nation and fellow citizens. The Seventh District deserves a thoughtful representative who is focused on addressing Virginia’s greatest challenges, not an extreme ideologue.”
The DCCC also responded to the report with a statement:
“Yesli Vega is trying to hide her extreme positions on banning abortion from Virginians, but what she admits when the TV cameras are off says it all,” said DCCC spokesperson Monica Robinson. “First Vega said it was less likely for victims of rape to get pregnant, and now she’s suggesting only God can decide to save the life of the mother. Pregnancy shouldn’t be a life-threatening condition, and Virginians deserve a representative who will unequivocally fight for their health and reproductive rights.”
Rep. Mike Garcia (R-California) puts his support behind Kiggans
Rep, Garcia put his support behind state Sen. Jen Kiggans (R-Va Beach) as she seeks to defeat two-term incumbent Rep. Elaine Luria (D) during November’s midterm elections.
Garcia sent an email to Republicans in Virginia:
“Hey, it’s Representative Mike Garcia from California. I wanted to take a second to reach out and talk to you about my friend and fellow Naval aviator, Jen Kiggans. With her proven record of service in the military, as a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, and in Virginia’s State Senate, I know Jen will be an excellent addition to Congress. One of my main goals in Congress was to help look out for veterans and their families. That’s why, last year, I introduced the bipartisan Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act to help veterans and military families.
“Jen will work just as hard as I do to look out for the military community, which is a quality we desperately need in our Congressional leaders. She’s been a consistent advocate for Virginia’s hardest-working and most vulnerable groups, and I know she’ll continue that fight in Congress as we work to reverse the effects of this administration’s destructive tenure. Bottom line: Americans need leaders like Jen Kiggans in office. Can I count on your support to help ensure she wins her election in November?”
Statement of Speaker Gilbert on the Passing of Former Delegate Joe Johnson
House Speaker Todd Gilbert issued the following statement:
"Our friend and colleague, Joe Johnson, has passed. Joe, a true gentleman, was one of Southwest Virginia’s most dedicated public servants. A strong advocate for his community, Joe was one of the kindest, nicest men I’ve ever met. I have no doubt that he has been reunited with his loving wife Ann, who left us just last month. I ask that all Virginians join me in prayer for his family at this difficult time."
Virginia official lobbied for gas project his agency will consider - RTD
by Patrick Wilson
As one of eight gubernatorial appointees on the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, James Minor gets a vote on an anticipated permit request for a natural gas pipeline expansion south of Petersburg. Public records show that he’s been lobbying elected officials to support the project; he and the company that wants to build it won’t say if he was paid for the work.
The commission regulates fishing and marine resources in Virginia. Public records show Minor emailed and called elected officials in Petersburg between February and May on behalf of a pipeline expansion project from TC Energy and its subsidiary, Columbia Gas Transmission.
Tim Kaine was once hopeful that his colleagues would take the looming threat of long Covid more seriously if they knew someone living with the mysterious post-viral illness — himself.
Earlier this year, the Virginia senator and former vice presidential candidate started bringing up the nerve sensitivity that he fears may be permanent at every health care-related hearing, in backroom conversations with colleagues, in speeches and during press conferences.
Regulators approve Dominion offshore wind project - Virginia Mercury
by Sarah Vogelson
State regulators on Friday approved plans by Dominion Energy to construct the nation’s largest offshore wind farm in waters off Virginia Beach but imposed several conditions intended to protect ratepayers, including reporting requirements for cost overruns and a performance guarantee.
The hotly anticipated ruling from the Virginia State Corporation Commission gives Dominion the state’s go-ahead to embark on the $9.8 billion project. “The project is truly distinctive in numerous respects, encompassing cost, size, technology, complexity, ownership, and risk. … No other utility or independent developer has attempted to construct and operate an offshore wind project of this size in the United States,” wrote the commissioners.
Gov. Youngkin, Sen. Surovell weigh in on Virginia's teacher shortage - WJLA
by Nick Minock
"We do have some real challenges in fully staffing teachers across the Commonwealth and I have three thoughts here," Youngkin told 7News. "First, it's one of the reasons why I was frustrated that the budget took so long. I did feel that Senate Democrats really dragged their feet unnecessarily. And yes, we signed the budget in June, but it included a 10% raise for teachers over the next two years along with bonuses and it would have been really nice for the recruiting to be able to start much earlier for these spots with some certainty."
Democratic State Sen. Scott Surovell, who represents Fairfax County and Prince William County, told 7News "teachers are leaving because conservatives like the governor are making it unpleasant to be a teacher today by micromanaging how they should teach and what they can say in the classroom."
Pardoned but still in prison: Advocates work to free man caught in system - Washington Post
by Greg Schneider
In the final hours before leaving office in January, Gov. Ralph Northam pardoned prison inmate Vince Gilmer, whose extraordinary tale of murder and mysterious illness has drawn international attention.
But nearly seven months later,Gilmer, 59, is still incarcerated, and the ravaging disease at the heart of his case continues to worsen. Now supporters are mounting a last-ditch fundraising effort to crack the stalemate that’s keeping the former North Carolina physician behind bars.
