Virginia Political Newsletter

Virginia Political Newsletter

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Virginia Political Newsletter
Virginia Political Newsletter
Spanberger responds to announcement that O'Connor will help moderate the debate

Spanberger responds to announcement that O'Connor will help moderate the debate

It is still unclear if Spanberger will participate in the debate with O'Connor as a moderator

Brandon Jarvis's avatar
Brandon Jarvis
Oct 14, 2022
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Virginia Political Newsletter
Virginia Political Newsletter
Spanberger responds to announcement that O'Connor will help moderate the debate
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This is a daily newsletter covering Virginia politics from top to bottom. Please consider becoming the ultimate political insider by supporting non-partisan, independent news and becoming a paid subscriber to this newsletter today.

Have a tip? You can reply to this email, or email me directly at Brandon@virginiascope.com


The rundown

  • Governor Glenn Youngkin announced on Friday that he will be proposing to use $10 million in the next budget to create the Virginia Power Innovation Fund for research and development of innovative energy technologies.

  • Spanberger’s campaign released a scathing comment after O’Connor was announced as a debate moderator

  • Guzman released a statement after she stated during a WJLA interview that she wants to file a bill criminalizing parents for not affirming their child’s gender. Del. Don Scott and Rep. Spanberger responded in an interview with RTD.

Executive Schedule

  • 9:30 AM: GOVERNOR GLENN YOUNGKIN DELIVERS REMARKS AT SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA ENERGY EVENT

    • LOCATION: Norton, VA

  • 3:00 PM: GOVERNOR DELIVERS REMARKS AT MENDOTA TRAIL SITE DEDICATION

    • LOCATION: Mendota, VA

  • 4:15 PM: GOVERNOR VISITS SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINING ACADEMY


Photo by Christian Martinez

Youngkin plans to propose $10 million for a power innovation fund

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced on Friday that he will be proposing to use $10 million in the next budget to create the Virginia Power Innovation Fund for research and development of innovative energy technologies, including nuclear, hydrogen, carbon capture and utilization, and battery storage. 

“Today I am pleased to propose a $10 million investment in the upcoming budget to turn Virginia into a leader in energy innovation,” Youngkin said. “With technologies like carbon capture and utilization, and resources like critical minerals, hydrogen, and nuclear, we will make Virginia the epicenter for reliable and affordable energy innovation.”   

$5 million will be intended for establishing a Virginia Nuclear Innovation Hub to grow the nuclear energy industry in Virginia. This will also be used to fund grants for higher education institutions to study Small Modular Nuclear Reactor (SMR) technology, funding for nuclear workforce development, and additional money for SMR site exploration, including in Southwest Virginia. 

“I am thrilled to work with Governor Youngkin to bring federal funds back to the hardworking folks of Southwest Virginia,” said Rep. Morgan Griffith (R), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “With these new efforts, Southwest can seize its potential and become the leading energy region in the United States.”

Youngkin recognized Griffith’s partnership in these efforts to bring resources included in the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization program and other federal programs into Virginia.

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Spanberger’s campaign released a scathing comment after O’Connor was announced as a debate moderator

Right-wing radio host Larry O’Connor was announced as a moderator in the VA-07 congressional debate between Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) and Yesli Vega (R) on Friday. Vega touted the event on social media while Spanberger issued a scathing statement about Vega and O’Connor’s participation.

Twitter avatar for @yestoyesli
Yesli Vega @yestoyesli
I am happy to announce that a debate is set! @LarryOConnor and @LisaDNews at Garfield Auditorium next Friday night at 7pm, hosted by PWC100 and LWV. See you there @SpanbergerVA07.
1:31 PM ∙ Oct 14, 2022
105Likes24Retweets

O’Connor is a radio host for WMAL and often shares right-wing posts on social media. Lisa Desjardins is a journalist for PBS Newshour.

Spanberger’s campaign began the statement by accusing Vega of trying to hide from the press.

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