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Today’s Sponsor: Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines
Take it from former law enforcement officers Chief T. Neal Morris and C.M. Hess: “To us, it’s clear as day. If Virginia truly is the best place to live, work and raise a family, we must do everything in our ability to ensure it is the safest. And that starts with keeping these machines out of our Commonwealth. Learn more here.
The arena is dead
Alexandria officials announced Wednesday afternoon that they are ending negotiations over the Potomac Yard Entertainment District proposal that would have brought the Washington Wizards and Capitols to the city.
“The City of Alexandria has ended negotiations related to the Potomac Yard Entertainment District opportunity and the proposal will not move forward,” they said in a press release. “We negotiated a framework for this opportunity in good faith and participated in the process in Richmond in a way that preserved our integrity. We trusted this process and are disappointed in what occurred between the Governor and General Assembly.”
The battle between Rep. Bob Good, R-VA05, and his primary challenger, John McGuire, continues to cause drama. One campaign is accusing the other of assault and trying to push out disloyal committee chairs.
McGuire’s campaign said that supporters of Good’s campaign assaulted someone leading to the cops being called at a party meeting. Good’s campaign denies any involvement in the events that took place.
“Bob Good’s top supporters verbally and physically assaulted Trump Store owner Karen Angulo at a GOP meeting in Appomattox, then proceeded to remove Trump staffer Ramona Christian from her Buckingham GOP Chairmanship for not supporting Good,” MCGuire’s campaign said in an email blast Saturday night.
Cook Political Report casts doubt on Good’s reelection chances
Rep. Bob Good, R-VA05, is facing a competitive primary challenge from state Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland.
Good is one of the most conservative Republicans in Congress, which would typically keep him safe in the mostly GOP district that he represents. For context, he primaried former Rep. Denver Riggleman because he officiated a gay wedding between two staffers — and he won.
Derrick Anderson works for a law firm with long ties to Democrats
VA-07 Republican primary candidate Derrick Anderson works at Williams and Connolly, a well-known law firm that worked recently with the Democratic National Committee. They have worked with some big Republican names in the past, but the firm's employees have donated almost exclusively to Democratic candidates this year.
Anderson is being backed by some of the biggest names in the Republican Party as he seeks the nomination to run for the open VA-07 this November.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed several pieces of gun legislation this week — one of those bills would have banned the future purchase and manufacturing of assault weapons.
The legislation would have banned the purchase of any “assault firearm” that was manufactured after July 1, 2024.
“These firearms that resemble those used by soldiers are more lethal than traditional hunting rifles and shotguns due to their ability to accept high capacity magazines holding 10 or more rounds, allowing shooters to fire numerous shots before reloading, leading to increased casualties,” said Sen. Sadam Salim, D-Fairfax, when the bill was being voted on by the Senate last month.
“The Constitution precludes the Commonwealth from prohibiting a broad category of firearms widely embraced for lawful purposes, such as self-defense,” Youngkin said in his veto statement Tuesday. “Despite this, certain members of the General Assembly have pursued legislation banning most contemporary semiautomatic firearms and specific ammunition-feeding devices.”
Youngkin vetoes minimum wage increase and retail marijuana market
Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed seven more bills on Thursday, two of which — increasing the minimum wage and establishing a retail market for marijuana — were key priorities for Democrats in the General Assembly.
Youngkin offered a very lengthy response as to why he vetoed the retail marijuana market legislation — his key points are that he believes it would cause adverse effects on children’s and adolescent’s health and safety, increased gang activity and violent crime, significant deterioration in mental health, decreased road safety, and significant costs associated with retail marijuana that far exceed tax revenue.
“It also does not eliminate the illegal black-market sale of cannabis, nor guarantee product safety,” he said in his veto statement. “Addressing the inconsistencies in enforcement and regulation in Virginia’s current laws does not justify expanding access to cannabis.”
House Democrats Respond to Minimum Wage and Cannabis Vetoes
“Yesterday’s vetoes came as no surprise. We have continued to work for the dignity of all Virginians, while the Governor looks out for his friends. The fight for a living wage isn’t over, and will be won,” said Speaker Don Scott. “As for cannabis, in Virginia it’s a multi-billion dollar illicit market, and not legalizing it doesn’t do anything to help anyone. If we legalize adult use, we can regulate it, tax it, and keep it away from kids. It’s reckless not to create a legal market in the Commonwealth.”
“I was heartbroken to see that the Governor vetoed HB1,” Majority Leader Charniele Herring said. “We live in a time of expanding economic inequality as seen most starkly in the housing market. More and more people are a paycheck away from an emergency that could result in losing housing. We know that this isn’t just a Virginia problem – and that raising the minimum wage was the least we could do to support working families.”
Dueling budget tours
The Virginia House and Senate Democratic Caucuses are currently conducting a “Virginia Families First Tour” across the commonwealth to discuss the budget they sent to Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
The latest endorsements for congressional candidates in Virginia are below:
VA-10
Colette McEachin, the Richmond City Commonwealth's Attorney, endorsed former Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn in the 10th district Democratic primary
“I am proud to endorse Eileen Filler-Corn for Congress in VA-10,” said McEachin. “Throughout her tenure as Speaker of the House of Delegates, Eileen consistently championed public safety and criminal justice reform. Under her leadership, the Commonwealth banned no-knock warrants, protected women and children from abuse and human trafficking, improved law enforcement training and accountability, and passed comprehensive gun safety reform. She understands the need for policies that prioritize safety, equity, and rehabilitation in our criminal justice system. I am confident that she will continue to be a strong advocate for accountability and reform in Congress."
Del. Karrie Delaney endorsed Del. David Reid in the VA-10 Democratic primary.
“Delegate Reid and I have served together in the House of Delegates since we were first elected in 2017, and I truly value his work ethic and focus on the solutions rather than the politics,” Delaney said. “Between that and his long-standing connection to the 10th District, I know David is the best choice to represent the 10th District in Congress.”
The National Association of Government Employees - SEIU endorsed Dan Helmer for the VA-10 Democratic primary.
“Whether in uniform or in the legislature, Del. Dan Helmer always has fought for government workers,” said David Holway, the President of the National Association of Government Employees - SEIU. “He understands how critical civil servants are to our democracy and is willing to put it all on the line to take on extremists who threaten it. With Trump’s plans to gut our federal workforce, he’s the warrior we need in the House, and the National Association of Government Employees - SEIU is excited to endorse him for Virginia 10.”
VA-02
Rep. Bobby Scott, D-VA03, endorsed Missy Cotter Smasal in the VA-02 Democratic primary.
“I’m proud to endorse Missy Cotter Smasal in her campaign for Virginia’s Second Congressional District,” Scott said. “Coastal Virginians deserve a representative in Congress who will show up, listen, and always put the needs of the local community first. I’m confident that Missy has what it takes to win and is prepared to come in on day one and get things done for Virginians. I look forward to supporting her campaign and working with her in Congress.”
VA-07
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise endorsed Derrick Anderson in the VA-07 Republican primary.
"Derrick Anderson is the conservative choice to represent the people of Virginia's 7th Congressional District -- the district he was raised in,” Scalise said. “Derrick has served our great country admirably as a U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret and I'm looking forward to seeing him continue that service in Congress. Derrick knows we must secure our border, back our veterans, support Israel, and lower costs for the working and middle class. Please join me in supporting Derrick's candidacy as we fight to bring common sense back to America."
Reps. Jason Crow, Don Davis, and Chris Deluzio endorsed Eugene Vindman in the VA-07 Democratic primary.
“Colonel Eugene Vindman is the right candidate to help us hold Virginia's 7th Congressional District,” Crow said. “As a fellow veteran, I know what it takes to win tough fights and Eugene's background and service to our country embody that. America needs servant leaders in Congress who stand by their values — Eugene is that candidate.”
“As a fellow Veteran, I know that Colonel Eugene Vindman knows how to win tough fights,” Davis said. “His courage and conviction stood tall as he showed bravery in the face of Donald Trump. That's why I am backing him as he campaigns to serve the people of Virginia's 7th Congressional District. I look forward to serving with him in Congress.”
“I am proud to endorse my friend Colonel Eugene Vindman for Congress in Virginia,” Deluzio said. “Now more than ever, we need leaders in Congress who stand for the basic principle of preserving our Democracy. He put his career on the line for the greater good, and I wouldn't expect anything less of a fellow veteran. Please join me in supporting him."
Gov. Youngkin Announces More Than $10 Million in Industrial Revitalization Funds
Gov. Glenn Youngkin today announced Friday that more than $10 million will be provided for seven Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) grants in the cities of Buena Vista, Martinsville and Petersburg, and the towns of Blackstone, Halifax, Lawrenceville and Wytheville. The seven awarded projects will create over 330 jobs and 87 new housing units, as well as leverage an additional $49 million in private investment, the governor’s office says.
“The transformation of unused, dilapidated or blighted structures into productive, vibrant sources of community pride is paramount to catalyzing economic growth and fostering strong local economies,”he said. “Strategic and targeted investments like these are critical to ensuring that localities have the resources they need to complete projects that will directly benefit their communities and spur regional development efforts.”
