Youngkin's big investment, Miyares goes on tour, and more from Virginia politics.
The latest in Virginia politics.
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Youngkin invests $1 million in down-ballot races
Glenn Youngkin announced last week that he has personally invested $1 million into the Virginia Wins PAC. According to his campaign, the goal of this PAC is to support down-ballot races in Virginia including candidates for sheriff, city council, Commonwealth's attorney, board of supervisors, and House of Delegates.
“With Virginia Wins, we will bring an entire crop of leaders to take back our Commonwealth and support conservative solutions so that when I’m governor we can deliver strong results for the people of Virginia,” Youngkin said in a press release.
According to the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP), Youngkin sent $600,000 to the PAC on August 16.
Youngkin’s campaign says that the PAC has dispersed $250,000 to candidates across the state. According to VPAP, as of the last filing deadline on June 30, Virginia Wins dispersed $142,000 to candidates across Virginia.
"I want to personally thank Glenn Youngkin for his support of our House Republican team this year,” said Todd Gilbert, the Republican leader in the House of Delegates. “Talk is cheap, but Glenn is backing up his words not only with his personal resources, but also hard work on the ground.”
Youngkin built a large personal wealth during his time at The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm based out of Washington D.C. He has loaned his gubernatorial campaign $12 million prior to the June 30 reporting deadline. His opponent, Terry McAuliffe, had still outraised him at that point by a slim margin.
Youngkin credited the influx of money going to Democrats as the reason for investing so much in down-ballot races.
“Republicans in my beloved home state have been overwhelmed by outside money from George Soros and others backing left-liberal candidates, Youngkin said in a press release. “So now we’re fighting back and investing in building our team for the long haul. Together, we can elect a wave of Republicans, bring common-sense values back to our school boards and city councils, and begin the work of making Virginia the best place in America to live, work, and raise a family."
Early voting in Virginia begins Sept. 17.
The Republican nominee for attorney general, Jason Miyares, is taking a tour across Southwest and Southside Virginia this week with notable names from his party.
Miyares will be with former Governor George Allen, former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, and former Nascar driver Hermie Sadler in Emporia today at noon for a meet and greet.
Later this afternoon, state Dels. Danny Marshall and Les Adams will be joining Miyares, Kilgore, and Allen at a business roundtable in Danville.
Youngkin attacks McAuliffe for vetoing legislation that would increase penalties against “violent protesters”
Glenn Youngkin's campaign is hitting his Democratic opponent Terry McAuliffe for vetoing legislation during his first term that would have increased penalties against police protesters.
The article below was published in 2017 explains why McAuliffe vetoed the bill.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is striking down a bill from Del. Scott Lingamfelter, R-31st District, that would’ve stiffened penalties against anyone that incites a violent riot against police or other first responders, amidst fears that the legislation could be used to target organizers of political protests."
Trump-Backed Governor Candidate Walks a MAGA Tightrope in Virginia - Bloomberg News
by Ryan Teague Beckwith
The crowd of about 300 Republican stalwarts in Norfolk, Virginia, included those wearing the requisite red baseball caps.
But these, just a shade different, didn’t shout “Make America Great Again.” Instead the hats were embroidered with the name of gubernatorial candidate and former private-equity executive Glenn Youngkin, who’s campaigning on a platform that hews close to former President Donald Trump’s -- but also is just a shade different.
Spanberger hosts open topic virtual town hall
U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger hosted an open-topic, public telephone town hall last week that was focused on Central Virginia’s families, businesses, and economy.
“Last week, I had a productive work period in the Seventh District — hearing directly from Central Virginians about the issues they are facing, the ways the American Rescue Plan has supported our communities during this pandemic, and joining educators and students in celebrating the new school year. In these conversations, I have heard about what is working, what is helpful, and what more we can do during our recovery. Thursday night’s telephone town hall was a terrific opportunity to build on these perspectives and ensure our progress over the next few months,” said Spanberger. “I was honored to join thousands of Central Virginians and take questions from Virginia parents, seniors, business owners, veterans, and more. If anyone who joined our event was unable to share their question, please reach out to my office for information and assistance.”
Veterans are prized recruits as congressional candidates - Associated Press
By WILL WEISSERT
With midterm election season rapidly approaching, Republicans and Democrats have something in common when it comes to recruiting candidates they hope will deliver majorities in Congress: a preference for military veterans.
Both parties anticipate a significant number of races where veterans will be opposing each other, using their military service as a foundation of their appeal even as they hold widely diverging views on issues.
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This is a daily newsletter covering Virginia politics from top to bottom. Please consider supporting non-partisan, independent news by becoming a paid subscriber today.