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The rundown
After spending all of 2021 keeping Donald Trump at an arm’s length, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin commented on the search warrant executed at the former president’s residence in Florida.
Republican nominees in VA-02, VA-07, and VA-10 comment on the search warrant at Trump’s residence
A state delegate endorsed Sen. Amanda Chase in her reelection bid to the state Senate
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Youngkin defends Trump in use of search warrant
After spending all of 2021 keeping Donald Trump at an arm’s length, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin commented on the search warrant executed at the former president’s residence in Florida.
Former president Donald Trump’s residence at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla., was searched Monday by the FBI in what appeared to be part of a long-running investigation of whether documents — some of them top-secret — were taken there instead of being sent to the National Archives when Trump left office.
News of the court-authorized search prompted recriminations from Trump’s fellow Republicans, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who threatened to investigate the Justice Department if the GOP takes control of the chamber next year. Democrats, who twice impeached Trump but failed both times to convict him, welcomed the news of the raid.
The backlash from Republicans was quick Monday night but Youngkin’s comments came on Tuesday morning.
“A stunning move by the DOJ and FBI,” Youngkin said. “This same DOJ labeled parents in Loudoun County as terrorists and failed to enforce federal law to protect Justices in their homes. Selective, politically motivated actions have no place in our democracy.”
And to Congress
Virginia has three competitive congressional races this year and the Republicans in each district have all rebuked the use of a search warrant at Trump’s residence.
National Democrats attacked Kiggans for her comments:
“Yet again, Jen Kiggans demonstrates she has no backbone to speak of and will abandon her convictions the second it serves her politically,” said DCCC spokesperson Monica Robinson. “If Kiggans really respected the law, she would let law enforcement do their work instead of spreading baseless conspiracy theories and attacking the integrity of the FBI.”
Glenn Youngkin won VA-02 with 55% of the vote in 2021
Ralph Northam won VA-02 with 50.4% of vote in 2017
VA-07 candidates respond
Republican nominee Yesli Vega says Trump needs support now more than ever:
“Brandon and the DEEP STATE will go to any lengths necessary to SLANDER and IMPRISON our great President. THIS IS NOT FAKE NEWS,” Vega wrote. Last night, the FBI seized assets, raided, and occupied President Donald J. Trump’s home in Mar-A-Lago FOR NO REASON. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE. THIS RAID WAS COMPLETELY UNANNOUNCED AND WAS NOT NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE. THIS IS DISGUSTING MISCONDUCT BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. Now more than ever, Trump needs the support of loyal, America First patriots. Step up now and rush your support. FRIENDS, November is coming. 2024 is coming. The Radical Democrats are completely unhinged, and it’s time to fire EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM. We need your support now. This is not a game; this is not just politics; our country is at stake.”
Ralph Northam won VA-07 with 52% of the vote in 2017
VA-10
VA-10 GOP nominee Hung Cao called it the “criminalization of political disagreement.”
“I came to the US as a refugee from a communist country, and have served all over the world. I've seen the weaponization of law enforcement for political purposes in failed states. It's stunning to see it happen here,” Cao said. “I promise you: we do not want this for our country. The DOJ that signed off on this raid is the same DOJ that investigated concerned parents in #VA10 as ‘domestic terrorists.’ Virginians are rightfully concerned that this is yet another step towards the criminalization of political disagreement in our country. Jennifer Wexton has supported these efforts every step of the way, voting with Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi 100 percent of the time. We will begin the work of returning to the values of our constitution and restoring trust in government on November 8th.”
VA-10 Democratic Rep. Jennifer Wexton has not yet commented.
Terry McAuliffe won VA-10 with 50.5% of the vote in 2021
Ralph Northam won VA-10 with 54% of the vote in 2017
State Del. Tim Anderson endorsed state Sen. Amanda Chase in her reelection campaign
First term Del. Tim Anderson (R-Va Beach) endorsed Amanda Chase as she seeks reelection in a new district and is being challenged by former state Senator Glen Sturtevant and Tina Ramirez for the Republican nomination.
"Amanda has been my personal friend before I entered public service. She has been a trusted advisor as I have navigated my first Delegate race and when only a handful of elected officials supported me during my primary, she is and always has been in my corner 100% of the time,” Anderson said. “If you look at every vote Senator Chase has taken in public service, it reveals one thing: Senator Chase is a trusted solid conservative voice. She stands, sometimes alone, for what is right. I admire her commitment to public service but I more admire her rock solid conservative voting record on every issue that matters at the core of Republican Party. We need more, not less, strong conservatives in government. Virginia is better off with the voice of Senator Chase and Chesterfield is well represented. For these reasons, Senator Chase has my full endorsement."
