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Midterm murkiness
Republicans look to extend their 2021 wins in state elections as they closely eye congressional targets in November’s midterm elections. Democrats hold seven of the state’s 11 congressional seats, with three of those having changed hands during the last midterms in 2018. U.S. Reps. Elaine Luria of Norfolk, Abigail Spanberger of Glen Allen and Jennifer […]
Balancing act
The Virginia General Assembly returned to a familiar configuration in 2022, legislating with a Republican-majority House of Delegates and Democratic-controlled Virginia Senate for the seventh time since 2000. But while the partisan split was old hat, much else about the session was new, taking place two years into the global COVID-19 pandemic and occurring after […]
The Royals of Regent
Although Lynchburg’s Liberty University has grabbed plenty of headlines in recent years, Virginia Beach-based Regent University can more than hold its own as a politically influential private Christian institution. Founded and still run by the 92-year-old televangelist and culture warrior M.G. “Pat” Robertson, Regent now has 11,000 students, 80% of whom are enrolled online. The […[...]
Youngkin sworn in as Virginia’s 74th governor
RICHMOND, Va. — Republican Glenn Youngkin was sworn in Saturday as Virginia‘s 74th governor on the steps of the state Capitol. The political newcomer and former private equity executive is the commonwealth’s first Republican governor since Bob McDonnell, who took office in 2010. The commonwealth also made history in electing Republicans Winsome Sears as lieutenant […]
A dramatic shift
Four years ago, no one would have guessed Gov. Ralph Northam would lead the most progressive Virginia administration in modern memory. A native of Onancock on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, as well as a pediatric neurologist and Army veteran, Virginia’s 73rd governor was eyed by some Democrats with suspicion after acknowledging he’d voted twice for President […]
The great divide
Virginia’s business community faces a strangely familiar and yet uncertain state government headed into the 2022 General Assembly session, which begins Jan. 12. Republicans rolled to victories across the board in the November 2021 election as Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin led a GOP sweep of all three statewide offices, and Republicans also won a narrow 52-48 […]
Your 2022 guide to Virginia politics
General Assembly preview: The great divide Will split legislature lead to gridlock or compromise? Interview: The outsider Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin talks 2022 priorities Politics: A dramatic shift Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s tenure was progressive, eventful Interview: Looking Back Q&A with exiting Virginia Gov. Ralph Nort[...]
The outsider
A former CEO who has never held political office, Glenn Youngkin will take the reins as Virginia’s next governor, having harnessed political tailwinds to a Republican sweep of statewide offices and GOP control of the House of Delegates. The electoral success ended eight years of Democratic victories, but Virginia’s 74th governor will have to contend […]
In memoriam: Va. Gov. Linwood Holton
The iconic fall 1970 photo of Virginia Gov. Linwood Holton escorting his daughter Tayloe to majority-Black John F. Kennedy High School is the enduring image of the Republican governor’s term. “He was fiercely independent,” says A.E. Dick Howard, the University of Virginia law professor who led the 1970 campaign to ratify a new state Constitution […]
2021 Political Roundtable: Surfing Va.’s red wave
The day after Election Day, Virginia Business’ six Political Roundtable panelists hashed out what they think the next year will be like in a Richmond where Republicans are roaring back to power. Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin, a first-time political candidate and multimillionaire former private equity CEO, defeated former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, leading a GOP sweep of […]
GOP delegates throw in hats for House speaker
Updated 8:30 p.m. Nov. 3 A few key delegates’ races have not yet been called, but with Republicans poised to regain majority control of the state House of Delegates, Southwest Virginia lawmaker Terry Kilgore has announced he will run for speaker if his party holds its seven-seat lead. Del. Todd Gilbert, the current House minority […]
George Mason University launches Race, Politics, and Policy Center
George Mason University‘s Race, Politics, and Policy Center launched Monday. American philosopher, author and political activist Cornel West will be its inaugural spring lecturer on April 14. GMU’s Schar School of Policy and Government professor Michael Fauntroy founded the center after returning to GMU from Howard University this year. The center will advance student learning, [&helli[...]
