Latest news with #VirginiaPolitics
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Petersburg councilor shifts independent lieutenant governor bid to write-in campaign
His name will not be pre-printed on the November ballot under "Lieutenant Governor," but Petersburg Councilor Marlow Jones is hoping voters will print his name on the Nov. 4 ballot under "Write-In" with their pens. Jones, known for his outspokenness and candor while representing Petersburg's Ward 1 the past two years, announced June 20 he is launching a write-in campaign for Virginia's No. 2 elected post. Earlier in the year, Jones began circulating petitions to be on the ballot as an independent candidate, but he failed to meet the minimum requirements for his name to appear. So, Jones is going to Plan B with the write-in campaign. 'This race should be about the people—our youth, our seniors, and working families who are too often ignored by the political elite,' Jones said in a statement released by his campaign. 'I'm not here for backroom deals or partyloyalty. I'm here to fight for the voiceless.' Jones, a former Petersburg Fire official, told The Progress-Index last March that he toyed with the idea of seeking the Republican lieutenant governor nod but changed his mind. Virginia's lieutenant governor presides over the state Senate and votes to break ties when senators deadlock on an issue. In most cases, that person votes with their party, but Jones said he was not keen on that prospect. 'I believe that if I am the deciding vote in the Senate, I should be nonpartisan,' Jones said then. On the ballot for lieutenant governor are Democrat Ghazala Hashmi, a Chesterfield County state senator, and Republican John Reid, a former Richmond newscaster and radio talk-show host. More: Democrats select nominees for lieutenant governor, attorney general in down-to-wire races In the announcement, Jones acknowledged the tough road ahead of him. No candidates without party backing or who run write-in campaigns have been successful in winning major political office in Virginia. That is why he is announcing his candidacy five months before the November election −to garner grassroots support. Jones also said he had been told that his candidacy might make Hashmi or Reid uncomfortable, and he is fine with that. 'If you're tired of politics as usual, and ready to see someone hold statewide candidates accountable, then I'm your choice,' Jones stated in the announcement. 'This is a voter-conscious campaign, and every nickel and dime helps us carry this message across the commonwealth.' More: Dougherty wins Democratic nod in House race; Flowers cruises in Petersburg local primary Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@ or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg councilor Jones launches write-in bid for lieutenant governor
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Virginia Republicans pick radio host to run alongside Winsome Sears in race to replace Youngkin
Conservative Richmond radio host John Reid will be the Republican nominee for Virginia's lieutenant governorship, after running unopposed in Tuesday's statewide primary election. Reid was the only man left after Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity – the rare Republican officeholder in the vote-rich but heavily Democratic Washington, D.C. metro -- bowed out of the contest last month citing health reasons. Reid has been a well-known Republican voice in central Virginia, previously serving on the Henrico County Republican Committee, as a delegate to the RNC in 2024 and as a top staffer to former Sen. George Allen, R-Va. Reid will join current Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears on the Republican ticket this fall, while Attorney General Jason Miyares joins them too in running for re-election. Gop Hopeful Earle-sears Unveils 'Axe-the-tax' Plan In Virginia Governors Race Reid has centered his campaign on a unity message to "grow" the GOP in a state where the political divide is numerically narrow, but marked in that Democrats are often the favored line in statewide elections. Read On The Fox News App The first point of his campaign message on his website centered around education versus "indoctrination." "His focus is on ensuring that our educational system imparts knowledge and critical thinking skills, not political bias, preparing students for success in a diverse world instead of creating radical activists," read a line on his website. On the hot topic of immigration, Reid's campaign said the candidate is "dedicated to enforcing immigration laws, not allowing localities to ignore them." His campaign also objected to "obliterating" U.S. heritage by conserving landmarks. Winsome Earle-sears Announces Va Gov Bid To Build On Youngkin Record: It's 'All About Business' Reid's campaign did run into a short-lived controversy when the former pundit – the first openly gay man to run statewide in Virginia – was subjected to lewd photos of himself being posted online. Reid denied any connection with the Tumblr account in question, but the controversy led some Republicans to briefly call for him to drop out. Reid, Earle-Sears and several top Virginia Republicans converged on Richmond Tuesday night to celebrate the primary winners across the board, including in the General Assembly's lower chamber. Democrats currently hold a two-seat majority in the 51-49 Virginia House of Delegates, where Republicans hope to make the narrow gains necessary to take control in November. Republicans face a tough road in that respect, and are defending several seats, particularly along the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike corridor that were won by former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris – or both. One such member is Del. Kim Taylor, R-Petersburg, who flipped a "Biden+12" district in 2023 in what is the commonwealth's most-Democratic municipality per-capita. Dels. David Owen, R-Goochland, Carrie Coyner, R-Hopewell, and Amanda Batten, R-Williamsburg, all hold seats in Democrat-friendly territory. Miyares is running unopposed in Tuesday's attorney general primary, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin is article source: Virginia Republicans pick radio host to run alongside Winsome Sears in race to replace Youngkin
Fox News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Virginia Republicans pick radio host to run alongside Winsome Sears in race to replace Youngkin
RICHMOND, Va. – Conservative Richmond radio host John Reid will be the Republican nominee for Virginia's lieutenant governorship, after running unopposed in Tuesday's statewide primary election. Reid was the only man left after Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity – the rare Republican officeholder in the vote-rich but heavily Democratic Washington, D.C. metro -- bowed out of the contest last month citing health reasons. Reid has been a well-known Republican voice in central Virginia, previously serving on the Henrico County Republican Committee, as a delegate to the RNC in 2024 and as a top staffer to former Sen. George Allen, R-Va. Reid will join current Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears on the Republican ticket this fall, while Attorney General Jason Miyares joins them too in running for re-election. Reid has centered his campaign on a unity message to "grow" the GOP in a state where the political divide is numerically narrow, but marked in that Democrats are often the favored line in statewide elections. The first point of his campaign message on his website centered around education versus "indoctrination." "His focus is on ensuring that our educational system imparts knowledge and critical thinking skills, not political bias, preparing students for success in a diverse world instead of creating radical activists," read a line on his website. On the hot topic of immigration, Reid's campaign said the candidate is "dedicated to enforcing immigration laws, not allowing localities to ignore them." His campaign also objected to "obliterating" U.S. heritage by conserving landmarks. Reid's campaign did run into a short-lived controversy when the former pundit – the first openly gay man to run statewide in Virginia – was subjected to lewd photos of himself being posted online. Reid denied any connection with the Tumblr account in question, but the controversy led some Republicans to briefly call for him to drop out. Reid, Earle-Sears and several top Virginia Republicans converged on Richmond Tuesday night to celebrate the primary winners across the board, including in the General Assembly's lower chamber. Democrats currently hold a two-seat majority in the 51-49 Virginia House of Delegates, where Republicans hope to make the narrow gains necessary to take control in November. Republicans face a tough road in that respect, and are defending several seats, particularly along the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike corridor that were won by former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris – or both. One such member is Del. Kim Taylor, R-Petersburg, who flipped a "Biden+12" district in 2023 in what is the commonwealth's most-Democratic municipality per-capita. Dels. David Owen, R-Goochland, Carrie Coyner, R-Hopewell, and Amanda Batten, R-Williamsburg, all hold seats in Democrat-friendly territory. Miyares is running unopposed in Tuesday's attorney general primary, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin is term-limited.
CNN
4 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Virginia will elect its first female governor this fall. Neither candidate is talking much about it
This fall's gubernatorial race in Virginia will make history no matter who wins: Either Democrat Abigail Spanberger or Republican Winsome Earle-Sears will become the state's first elected female governor. For now, that seems to be an afterthought. Spanberger and Earle-Sears, who are each unopposed in Tuesday's primaries ahead of a November matchup, have little apparent appetite to dwell on gender. Both of their campaigns would rather focus on Virginians' concerns about tariffs and federal job cuts, as well as how the next governor can make the state more affordable. But gender is a factor both candidates will navigate in a country that has elected just 51 female state governors in its history. The race could serve as a model for female candidates of both parties, particularly on the Democratic side after former Vice President Kamala Harris' loss to President Donald Trump eight years after he defeated former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. 'There's still stereotypes,' said Mary Sue Terry, a Democratic former state attorney general who unsuccessfully ran for Virginia governor in 1993. Women 'are perceived as being very diligent and having character, but they're not always perceived as being strong and taking on the big boys, so to speak,' she said. One recent sweltering afternoon in Norfolk, Spanberger delivered her case: Lowering costs is a challenge she's prepared to face head-on. She was surrounded by local elected officials and a homeowner whose home was recently outfitted with solar panels through a utility funded assistance program. The former congresswoman and CIA officer pledged to keep trying to lower energy costs. 'Virginians are hurting because the bills are just so high and she has a real plan for that,' said Gwendolyn Bailey, the 69-year-old homeowner. Asked how she felt about two women vying to be the state's next governor, Bailey said she was glad to see people recognize women have voices that deserve to be heard. But she says she's more worried about her neighbors being able to qualify for the same type of efficiency programs she did. Spanberger spoke to CNN after her event about how gender could factor into the election. 'What I hear from voters is we would be so excited to have you be our first woman governor,' she said with a laugh. She went on to describe parents who bring their children to events with excitement. 'Certainly, when I'm out campaigning and spending time across Virginia, I know it is on the mind of some Virginians,' she said. 'Ultimately, when I'm elected governor, my focus is going to be on governing. My focus is going to be on delivering on the promises and work that I set out to do when I began my campaign,' she added. Terry, the former gubernatorial nominee, is an enthusiastic supporter of Spanberger. 'It's not so important to me to elect a woman governor as it is to elect the right woman governor,' she said. Four years ago, Earle-Sears made history when the retired Marine was elected the state's first female lieutenant governor, 20 years after defeating a longtime Democratic incumbent in a bid for a seat in Virginia's House of Delegates. Her campaign website notes she is the first Black woman to be elected statewide in Virginia. Earle-Sears has not been as visible on the trail as Spanberger. She spoke to CNN in a phone interview as she was traveling from Norfolk to Portsmouth for unannounced campaign stops. 'People are looking, I think, past the fact of my skin color, even my gender. It means that they want to hear a message,' she said. 'So, I'm not really focused on the historic aspect. It's wonderful. It's good. But what are your policies? How will your policies help my family?' Core to Earle-Sears' campaign strategy is her record with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who drew national attention four years ago by beating Democrat Terry McAuliffe and positioned himself as pro-business and anti-regulation. Earle-Sears is also attuned to cost of living concerns. In a video posted last week, she stood outside of her own vehicle and pledged to nix the state's 4.15% tax on auto sales. 'If you elect me for governor, we are going to tear up that car tax,' she says in the video before ripping up a piece of paper to symbolize it. 'I haven't stopped campaigning since 2021,' she told CNN, adding that she felt the race was competitive despite Virginia's shift to the left over the last few decades. Georgetown professor Michele Swers, who studies women in politics, says female candidates have an easier time running for legislature than governor partly due to implicit beliefs rooted in gender. 'The job of a legislator is to be collaborative, and that sort of plays into people's views about women,' Swers said in an interview. According to the Center for American Women in Politics at Rutgers University, there are currently 12 female governors across the country, eight Democrats and four Republicans. Eighteen states have never elected a woman to the governorship, including Virginia. Kelly Dittmar, the center's director of research, says gender alone isn't a significant enough motivator for most voters. It's instead outside groups that tend to center identity to drum up interest and donations. 'The women themselves are very unlikely to use their gender solely as they're making history as part of their campaign strategy, because it's not something we've seen move voters in significant ways when it comes to who they're going to vote for or even voter turnout,' said Dittmar. Being a female candidate doesn't necessarily mean talking about being a woman all the time but there are lived experiences, like being mothers, that will show up in important ways. Their life experiences themselves are gendered and will inevitably factor into their candidacy. 'One is not to overlook the ways in which their gender might be absolutely playing a role in their campaigns and their messaging without them having to explicitly talk about making history,' said Dittmar. Republican strategist Amanda Iovino noted Democrats are still reeling from a 2024 presidential election loss in which Trump campaigned to men by going on male-dominated podcasts or appearing at mixed-martial arts and other sporting events. Trump often made hypermasculine appeals, talking about toughness and at times questioning Harris' racial identity or making jokes that critics saw as gendered. 'For (Earle-Sears), a Republican primary electorate is also never really looking to vote for a woman for the sake of voting for a woman; they want to see strength and issue positions,' said Iovino, before acknowledging that some voters still haven't fully wrapped their arms around women in executive leadership. Former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder, the first Black person to ever be elected governor in the U.S., says that qualifications, not identity, are key to success in leadership. While racism and sexism persist, legal barriers in seeking public office do not, argues the now 94-year-old. 'I think if you make your case with the people of Virginia or people anywhere you go, that is the guiding light,' he said. 'People are not interested in your color, your gender or your party. If you make your case, you stand as much chance of getting elected as anyone else.'
CNN
4 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Virginia will elect its first female governor this fall. Neither candidate is talking much about it
This fall's gubernatorial race in Virginia will make history no matter who wins: Either Democrat Abigail Spanberger or Republican Winsome Earle-Sears will become the state's first elected female governor. For now, that seems to be an afterthought. Spanberger and Earle-Sears, who are each unopposed in Tuesday's primaries ahead of a November matchup, have little apparent appetite to dwell on gender. Both of their campaigns would rather focus on Virginians' concerns about tariffs and federal job cuts, as well as how the next governor can make the state more affordable. But gender is a factor both candidates will navigate in a country that has elected just 51 female state governors in its history. The race could serve as a model for female candidates of both parties, particularly on the Democratic side after former Vice President Kamala Harris' loss to President Donald Trump eight years after he defeated former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. 'There's still stereotypes,' said Mary Sue Terry, a Democratic former state attorney general who unsuccessfully ran for Virginia governor in 1993. Women 'are perceived as being very diligent and having character, but they're not always perceived as being strong and taking on the big boys, so to speak,' she said. One recent sweltering afternoon in Norfolk, Spanberger delivered her case: Lowering costs is a challenge she's prepared to face head-on. She was surrounded by local elected officials and a homeowner whose home was recently outfitted with solar panels through a utility funded assistance program. The former congresswoman and CIA officer pledged to keep trying to lower energy costs. 'Virginians are hurting because the bills are just so high and she has a real plan for that,' said Gwendolyn Bailey, the 69-year-old homeowner. Asked how she felt about two women vying to be the state's next governor, Bailey said she was glad to see people recognize women have voices that deserve to be heard. But she says she's more worried about her neighbors being able to qualify for the same type of efficiency programs she did. Spanberger spoke to CNN after her event about how gender could factor into the election. 'What I hear from voters is we would be so excited to have you be our first woman governor,' she said with a laugh. She went on to describe parents who bring their children to events with excitement. 'Certainly, when I'm out campaigning and spending time across Virginia, I know it is on the mind of some Virginians,' she said. 'Ultimately, when I'm elected governor, my focus is going to be on governing. My focus is going to be on delivering on the promises and work that I set out to do when I began my campaign,' she added. Terry, the former gubernatorial nominee, is an enthusiastic supporter of Spanberger. 'It's not so important to me to elect a woman governor as it is to elect the right woman governor,' she said. Four years ago, Earle-Sears made history when the retired Marine was elected the state's first female lieutenant governor, 20 years after defeating a longtime Democratic incumbent in a bid for a seat in Virginia's House of Delegates. Her campaign website notes she is the first Black woman to be elected statewide in Virginia. Earle-Sears has not been as visible on the trail as Spanberger. She spoke to CNN in a phone interview as she was traveling from Norfolk to Portsmouth for unannounced campaign stops. 'People are looking, I think, past the fact of my skin color, even my gender. It means that they want to hear a message,' she said. 'So, I'm not really focused on the historic aspect. It's wonderful. It's good. But what are your policies? How will your policies help my family?' Core to Earle-Sears' campaign strategy is her record with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who drew national attention four years ago by beating Democrat Terry McAuliffe and positioned himself as pro-business and anti-regulation. Earle-Sears is also attuned to cost of living concerns. In a video posted last week, she stood outside of her own vehicle and pledged to nix the state's 4.15% tax on auto sales. 'If you elect me for governor, we are going to tear up that car tax,' she says in the video before ripping up a piece of paper to symbolize it. 'I haven't stopped campaigning since 2021,' she told CNN, adding that she felt the race was competitive despite Virginia's shift to the left over the last few decades. Georgetown professor Michele Swers, who studies women in politics, says female candidates have an easier time running for legislature than governor partly due to implicit beliefs rooted in gender. 'The job of a legislator is to be collaborative, and that sort of plays into people's views about women,' Swers said in an interview. According to the Center for American Women in Politics at Rutgers University, there are currently 12 female governors across the country, eight Democrats and four Republicans. Eighteen states have never elected a woman to the governorship, including Virginia. Kelly Dittmar, the center's director of research, says gender alone isn't a significant enough motivator for most voters. It's instead outside groups that tend to center identity to drum up interest and donations. 'The women themselves are very unlikely to use their gender solely as they're making history as part of their campaign strategy, because it's not something we've seen move voters in significant ways when it comes to who they're going to vote for or even voter turnout,' said Dittmar. Being a female candidate doesn't necessarily mean talking about being a woman all the time but there are lived experiences, like being mothers, that will show up in important ways. Their life experiences themselves are gendered and will inevitably factor into their candidacy. 'One is not to overlook the ways in which their gender might be absolutely playing a role in their campaigns and their messaging without them having to explicitly talk about making history,' said Dittmar. Republican strategist Amanda Iovino noted Democrats are still reeling from a 2024 presidential election loss in which Trump campaigned to men by going on male-dominated podcasts or appearing at mixed-martial arts and other sporting events. Trump often made hypermasculine appeals, talking about toughness and at times questioning Harris' racial identity or making jokes that critics saw as gendered. 'For (Earle-Sears), a Republican primary electorate is also never really looking to vote for a woman for the sake of voting for a woman; they want to see strength and issue positions,' said Iovino, before acknowledging that some voters still haven't fully wrapped their arms around women in executive leadership. Former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder, the first Black person to ever be elected governor in the U.S., says that qualifications, not identity, are key to success in leadership. While racism and sexism persist, legal barriers in seeking public office do not, argues the now 94-year-old. 'I think if you make your case with the people of Virginia or people anywhere you go, that is the guiding light,' he said. 'People are not interested in your color, your gender or your party. If you make your case, you stand as much chance of getting elected as anyone else.'
