Stories from this week

This newsletter received 141,342 views this week

Jun 08, 2025

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Here is a look at Virginia Scope’s news from this week:

Virginia House Republicans elect a new leader as Gilbert pursues U.S. attorney post

House Repuiblicans elected Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, as their new caucus leader Sunday, following Del. Todd Gilbert’s offer to step down amid his pursuit of a federal appointment.

The leadership shake-up drew interest from multiple House Republicans. Delegates Joe McNamara, R-Roanoke County; Kilgore; and Michael Webert, R-Fauquier, were all lobbying for support. McNamara never officially threw his name into the race, however. Only Kilgore and Webert made their case in speeches to the caucus before the vote took place.

Response to Kilgore being chosen to lead House Republican caucus

Dominion and Clean Virginia flood statewide races with millions

Dominion Energy, Virginia’s largest public utility company and one of state’s most prolific political donors, is once again flexing its power in politics — giving more than $2.6 million to candidates from both parties between April 1 and May 25.

At the same time, Clean Virginia, another major donor organization with a stated mission to promote clean government and clean energy, continues to fund candidates who do not accept Dominion’s money, giving more than $1 million during the same time period.

Civil rights leader, judge and former state delegate Jerrauld Jones has passed away

The family of former state delegate and former judge Jerrauld Jones announced Saturday that he passed away at the age of 70.

Jones was the son of pioneering civil rights attorney Hilary H. Jones, Sr. He was one of the first African-American students to integrate Ingleside Elementary School in 1961 and later the Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg in 1967.

Earle-Sears dodges question on campaigning with Reid

Republican Lt. Gov. nominee Winsome Earle-Sears did not directly answer a question from Radio IQ when asked if the full statewide ticket will appear together on the campaign trail. This question arises following a controversy surrounding Republican lieutenant governor nominee John Reid.

"Actually, as you know, we are all running our campaigns," Earle-Sears told Radio IQ.

Spanberger talks Trump & Musk, campaign finance reform, and Pride Month

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger held a press event Friday morning to outline her plans for making housing more affordable in the commonwealth. She also took questions from reporters ahead of the announcement on a range of political topics.

One of those questions focused on the ongoing public feud between the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, and President Donald Trump.

Group attacks Stoney for taking money from donors who give to other Democrats

The Working Families Party is criticizing Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Levar Stoney for the donations he has received for his campaign with a digital ad. However, donors that WFP cited in its criticism of Stoney also give substantial amounts to a long list of Democrats.

Youngkin sets VA-11 special election date

Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced the date for a special election to replace Gerry Connolly in Virginia’s Eleventh Congressional District.

Election day will be Sept. 9th, and the last day for candidates to file to run is July 11th. Information regarding candidacy requirements can be found on the Department of Elections website.

Irene Shin announces run for Congress

Del. Irene Shin, D-Herndon, announced Tuesday morning that she is running for Congress in Virginia’s Eleventh Congressional District.

Chesterfield Clerk Amanda Pohl launches bid for Virginia's 1st Congressional District

CHESTERFIELD, Va. — Amanda Pohl, clerk of the Chesterfield Circuit Court, announced Thursday she is running for Congress in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District. Republican Rep. Rob Wittman currently holds the seat.

New ad from Jones

Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones released a new ad Tuesday.

Democrat Lt. Governor Candidate Dr. Babur Lateef Releases First TV Ad

Clean Virginia is launching an attack ad against Shannon Taylor

Clean Virginia is launching a six-figure attack ad against Democratic attorney general candidate Shannon Taylor after she accepted $375,000 from Dominion Energy in recent weeks.

Taylor fights back against attack ad with her own

After Clean Virginia released an attack ad against Democratic attorney general candidate Shannon Taylor earlier this week, her campaign says she is fighting back with her own attack ad against Jay Jones.

The ad features Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales, Alexandria Sheriff Sean Casey, Henrico Sheriff Alisa Gregory and Alexandria Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter.

Dominion just gave Shannon Taylor $275,000 more

Dominion Energy has contributed another $275,000 to Democratic attorney general candidate Shannon Taylor, according to new campaign finance disclosures, bringing the utility’s total donations to her campaign to $650,000 in recent weeks.

The latest donation comes as Clean Virginia, a political advocacy group critical of Dominion’s influence in state politics, continues airing a six-figure TV ad targeting Taylor in the Northern Virginia media market. The group has endorsed her primary opponent, former Del. Jay Jones, and contributed $400,000 to his campaign.

Commentary: Coyner, Taylor: We’d Happily Vote for the Tennessee Contraception Bill

By Delegates Carrie Coyner, R-Chestefield, and Kim Taylor, R-Dinwiddie

In the past year, the national debate over reproductive healthcare has been filled with misinformation and political opportunism. But here’s the truth that rarely makes headlines: in Virginia, Republicans have repeatedly put forward good-faith legislation to protect women’s access to critical medical care — and Democrats have blocked it, not because they oppose the substance, but because they want the fight.

Mayor Pete endorses Levar Stoney in LG race

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is endorsing former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor.

Trump’s Budget Wish Could Threaten Billions in Clean Energy Investment in Virginia

By Charles Paullin

This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here.

The One Big Beautiful Bill, President Donald Trump’s budget wishlist with tax cuts for the wealthy, could have an enormous impact on Virginia’s ability to address the climate crisis, produce renewable energy and generate economic activity for its communities.

Coverage from Cardinal News of the LG race: Despite none hailing from Southwest or Southside Virginia, the candidates have expressed commitments to these regions. Hashmi and Rouse highlighted their legislative efforts on education and infrastructure, aiming to bridge urban-rural divides. Stoney emphasized the importance of economic development initiatives tailored to rural communities. Lateef focused on healthcare access and educational equity, while Salgado advocated for ethical governance and campaign finance reform. Bastani underscored labor rights and economic justice as central to his platform.

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