Stories from this week
A look back at Virginia Scope's coverage.
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Chesterfield becomes focal point in Virginia Immigration enforcement debate
Lawyers say they are feeling intimidated by groups of men standing silently in rooms not typically open to the public. Spouses are crying in hallways. Families go days without being able to contact loved ones who have been detained, not knowing if they remain in the same state.
These are the realities for some people who have lived in the United States after entering the country illegally but have completed all the required steps to exist within the legal system.
Chesterfield was thrust into the spotlight of the national immigration debate this week with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers operating in the courthouse. The latest census data shows that 12% of Chesterfield County’s nearly 400,000 residents are Hispanic — nearly the same as the combined number of Hispanic residents in Richmond and Henrico County. Hispanic immigrants make up the largest undocumented immigrant population in the United States.
Chesterfield County Sheriff Karl Leonard confirmed to Virginia Scope on Tuesday that ICE officers detained six people inside the courthouse on Friday, another six on Monday, and two more on Tuesday. He wondered aloud in a phone call why this isn’t happening in other localities.
“I haven’t heard anything about them being at other courthouses,” he said.
Talking ICE with Radio IQ
Brad Kutner from Radio IQ and I provide a behind-the-scenes look at our coverage of the recent Chesterfield ICE situation.
Democrats show unity in first day of bus tour
RICHMOND, Va. — The Democratic statewide ticket held its first joint event Saturday afternoon at Abner Clay Park in Richmond, launching an eight-day bus tour. Gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger, lieutenant governor nominee Ghazala Hashmi and attorney general nominee Jay Jones emphasized party unity and standing up to President Donald Trump.
“Today is a really fun day,” Spanberger said. “We are starting our bus tour across the commonwealth to make sure that everywhere we travel, people get to hear from us about the things that we are for, the policies we wish and will work to pursue.”
The ticket was introduced by United States Senator Mark Warner and Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-VA04, who both stressed the importance of standing up to Trump.
Ebbin and Henson respond to Reid opposing amendment to repeal defunct same-sex marriage ban
Two state legislators responded Thursday to Republican lieutenant governor nominee John Reid’s oppositon to the repeal of Virginia’s defunct ban on same-sex marriage.
Virginia Scope recently asked Reid, the first openly gay statewide nominee in Virginia, why he opposes the repeal.
“It doesn’t provide protection for people who sincerely don’t agree with gay marriage,” he said. “I’m running to be the lieutenant governor, not to be somebody’s pastor, but I’ve got to protect everybody’s rights.”
Unity for the GOP
The Republican ticket announced Tuesday night that they will be holding a joint event on July 1. This announcement comes after months of chaos in the party after Gov. Glenn Youngkin asked lieutenant governor nominee John Reid to drop out of the race.
Related: The weekend that sent the Virginia Republican Party into a tailspin
The event is taking place in Vienna.
Response to UVA President Jim Ryan stepping down
Virginia leaders responded to the news that UVA President Jim Ryan is stepping down, following pressure from President Donald Trump and the Department of Justice.
DAGA to invest $1 million in Jay Jones campaign
The Democratic Attorneys General Association is investing $1 million in Jay Jones’ campaign. This is just an “initial” investment, DAGA said.
“The time to elect a Democratic attorney general in Virginia is now, and DAGA is proud to announce our initial investment of $1 million in the Jay Jones campaign to make that happen,” said Sean Rankin, the president of DAGA.
DLGA invests $1 million in Hashmi’s campaign
The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association announced Thursday that they are investing $1 million in Ghazla Hashmi’s campaign.
“The DLGA is proud to make this historic $1 million investment in support of Ghazala Hashmi’s campaign for Lieutenant Governor—the largest ever made to a lieutenant governor candidate in Virginia,” said DLGA Chair and Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis.
DLCC announced a $400K investment
The DLCC announced an additional $400K investment in the Virginia House Democratic Caucus as they look to hold the majority this November.
This is part of an ongoing seven-figure investment to expand Democrats’ 51-49 House majority. The DLCC is also announcing an additional four target Spotlight races.
“State legislative Democrats in Virginia have hit the ground running, and the DLCC is continuing to invest in the must-win races that will decide control of the House of Delegates,” DLCC president Heather Williams said. “We’re backing hardworking and authentic candidates in the toughest battlegrounds who are out in their communities every day, talking to voters about how they’ll fight the chaos in Washington and put working families’ opportunities first. This investment will fuel them as they continue working on the ground to protect and expand Democrats’ razor-thin majority this fall.”
NRCC attacks Vindman
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) launched a paid advertising campaign targeting Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-VA07.
A conversation with Clean Virginia’s executive director
The clash between Clean Virginia and Dominion Energy was on full display in last week’s Democratic primaries — and Clean Virginia came out on top. I talked to Clean Virginia’s Executive Director Brennan Gilmore this morning about the elections, their mission, why he believes Dominion should not be allowed to donate to political candidates, what he would say to people who have concerns that Clean Virginia’s influence would replace Dominion’s, and a lot more.
Endorsements for Khanna
Lisa Vedernikova Khanna announced a list of endorsements for her campaign to be the Democratic nominee in VA-01 to run against Republican Rep. Rob Wittman.
The list includes state Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, former Del. Albert Pollard, Richmond City Councilor Gumby Breton, and more.
Virginia leaders react to the United States bombing Iran
President Donald Trump announced Saturday night that the United States bombed three sites in Iran that are used to create nuclear weapons. Gov. Glenn Youngkin applauded the decision from Trump, while Sen. Tim Kaine criticized the action.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!”
Commentary from Higgins: Protecting Girls’ Opportunities in Sports is not Discrimination. It’s Justice.
By Del. Geary Higgins, R-Loudoun
When our daughters take the field, they should know they’re competing on a level playing field. That shouldn’t be controversial. But today, it is. My wife and I have experience with this having raised 3 daughters in the public school system who were all athletes. We’ve been to the 5:30 am practices and to just about every pool or playing field in Virginia.