Jennifer McClellan discusses legislating while running for Governor
Judge dismisses ERA lawsuit, the parole board problems continue, and there is a slate of new House candidates.
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Jennifer McClellan discusses legislating while running for governor
State Senator and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McClellan successfully championed several pieces of legislation during the General Assembly session that ended last month. In an interview, the senator talked to Virginia Scope about the session and how it will impact her campaign for governor moving forward.
McClellan is battling former-Governor Terry McAuliffe, former-Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy, Delegate Lee Carter, and Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax for the Democratic nomination to run for governor in November of this year. The nominee will be chosen on June 8 in a primary election — polls have shown McAuliffe with a sizable lead, but there is still a large section of undecided voters.
You were really busy during the legislative session. How does it feel to finish the session having successfully passed several bills that will become law once Governor Northam signs them?
“Virginians are looking for us to solve their problems and especially now many of those problems are made worse by the pandemic. To be able to continue building on the progress we made last year to address those needs and lay the foundation for the COVID recovery was exhilarating and satisfying.”
What pieces of legislation from this year are you most proud of and believe will have the largest impact on Virginians?
“My childcare bill — before COVID there was not enough quality childcare to meet the need — especially for infant care and that is something I saw firsthand as a mom when I became the first member of the House of Delegates to have a baby while in office. That industry has really been devastated by COVID, so to be able to begin stabilizing it with that bill and laying the foundation for recovery was very important to me.
“The Voting Rights Act of Virginia from a personal perspective as somebody whose great grandfather had to take a literacy test before he could register to vote, my dad had to pay a poll tax, and now I think Virginia is the first state in the south to proactively protect voting rights while the rest of the country sees a wave of voter suppression laws and the Supreme Court could further gut the federal voting rights act.
“Probably the most transformational is my diminished capacity bill that now will allow people to have their mental illness and intellectual disabilities and autism to be considered in criminal cases. It is huge, it is probably one of the biggest criminal justice reform bills that we have passed.”
Additionally, McClellan spoke about her bill that requires each school board to provide at least three specialized student support positions, including school social workers, school psychologists, school nurses, licensed behavior analysts, licensed assistant behavior analysts, and other licensed health and behavioral positions, per 1,000 students.
Coming out of session with that momentum, what do you want to focus on moving forward in your gubernatorial campaign?
Judge dismisses lawsuit by Democratic AGs to recognize ERA - Associated Press
By MICHELLE L. PRICE
A federal judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit filed by three Democratic state attorneys general that had sought to force the federal government to recognize Virginia’s vote last year to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and add it to the Constitution.
Shortly after Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the amendment that supporters say will guarantee women equal rights under the law, the archivist of the United States declared he would take no action to certify the amendment’s adoption, citing an opinion from the Department of Justice under the Trump administration.
Draft reports suggest new problems at Virginia Parole Board - Associated Press
by SARAH RANKIN and DENISE LAVOIE
An ongoing investigation by Virginia’s state government watchdog agency has turned up more problems at the Virginia Parole Board, according to draft report summaries obtained by The Associated Press.
The Office of the State Inspector General has been investigating the parole board for nearly a year, since prosecutors and victims’ families across the state began raising concerns about the handling of cases last spring.
Virginia GOP considering multiple sites for drive-in nominating convention - Washington Post
by Antonio Olivo
The Republican Party of Virginia on Friday moved toward holding a nominating convention for governor and other statewide offices at multiple locations, after determining their plan to hold a single drive-in convention at Liberty University wasn’t going to work.
The state party’s chairman, Richard Anderson, informed other party leaders Friday that there isn’t enough space for the May 8 event at parking lots owned by the Lynchburg school. He said the party’s Central Committee planned to meet to discuss holding the event at several satellite locations instead, including one or more Liberty lots that were originally under consideration.
Virginia's contest for governor could again offer hints of the nation's political future - NBC News
by Mark Murray
The Virginia governor's race has long held a unique place in the country's political cycle as a key gauge of how the political winds are blowing for both Republicans and Democrats one year after the last presidential election and one year before the next congressional midterms.
In 2005, Democrat Tim Kaine's win after President George W. Bush's re-election foreshadowed the Democrats' midterm victories a year later, as well as Barack Obama's triumph later in the state, which the party hadn't carried in a presidential contest since 1964.
Northam announces program to reduce evictions across Virginia, specific parts of Hampton Roads - Wavy
Governor Ralph Northam announced Friday a new program to help prevent and reduce evictions across the Commonwealth.
The Virginia Eviction Reduction Pilot (VERP) Program will award more than $2.6 million in grants to 14 localities including Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, and Richmond — which have been identified as cities having high eviction rates in the state.
Upcoming 2021 Democratic Debates & Forums - Blue Virginia
View a list of scheduled debates for statewide Democratic candidates. The primary election is taking place on June 8, leaving just a few months left for candidates to make their case to voters.
Lori Haas endorsed Mark Herring for Attorney General
Attorney General Mark Herring’s re-election campaign announced Monday that Lori Haas, Senior Director of Advocacy at the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence and a gun violence prevention advocate, has endorsed Attorney General Herring for re-election.
“From my early days as an advocate to now as Senior Director of Advocacy at the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Mark and I have worked together for many years. His support, counsel, friendship and guidance have proved invaluable leading to the historic legislative wins on gun violence prevention bills in the 2020 and 2021 GA sessions. When I call, his answer is always ‘yes Lori, how can I help.’ I can count on his commitment to this issue and to the victims and survivors of gun violence. His quiet work behind the scenes on community and domestic violence is more proof of his sincerity on this issue,” said Lori Haas, Senior Director of Advocacy at the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. “Mark’s commitment to keeping all of us safe from gun violence is genuine, persistent and resolute. We need him in the AG’s office as we look to find more solutions to preventing gun violence. I wholeheartedly endorse his candidacy and look forward to continuing our work together in the future.”
Virginia Court of Appeals set to get six new judges after lawmakers agree to expansion - Virginia Mercury
by Ned Oliver
Del. Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, proposed staggering the new appointments as a compromise. “While I recognize that additional capacity may be needed at the Court of Appeals, and I believe that civil cases merit review at the Court of Appeals, this General Assembly and this governor should not get to pack the court with judges of their choosing,” Cox said in a statement.
House Democrats, who after 20 years in the minority have long been shut out of such judicial appointments, did not appear eager to yield their appointment power.
The latest House of Delegates candidacy announcements:
Montgomery Co. Supervisor Sherri Blevins enters state House race; GOP now has contest
Montgomery County Supervisor Sherri Blevins announced Friday that she will seek the Republican nomination for the seat that Del. Nick Rush, R-Christiansburg, is leaving. Blevins’ announcement comes after Rush announced on Wednesday that he won’t seek a sixth term as the 7th District representative. Blevins’ announcement comes a day after Christiansburg businesswoman Marie March, who lives in Floyd County, said she is also seeking the GOP nomination.
Republican Hamilton kicks off campaign for 57th House District
Hamilton, who moved to Charlottesville this year, said he’s the first Republican to run for the seat in 16 years. The 57th District includes all of the city of Charlottesville and parts of Albemarle County and is currently represented by Del. Sally Hudson, D-Charlottesville.
Libertarians select Stewartsville man to run for House of Delegates seat in Botetourt, Bedford
Libertarian Party members have nominated a candidate for the 19th District House of Delegates race. The party, in an online nominating convention, selected Dean Davison, of Stewartsville, to run for the seat. Del. Terry Austin, R-Botetourt, represents the district, which covers Covington and Alleghany County and parts of Bedford and Botetourt counties. Austin, who ran unopposed in 2019, said on Wednesday that he is running for reelection. It would be his fifth term.
Pearisburg native and combat veteran to challenge Hurst in 12th District
Jason Ballard, 42, a Pearisburg attorney and town councilman announced that he will run for the House of Delegates seat currently held by Del. Chris Hurst, D-Blacksburg, in November.
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