Free Republic

37 Virginia State Assembly general elections have seen ad spending thus far. 14 have seen spending from both parties.

What looked like a draw for control of the House of Delegates turned into an apparent Republican victory with the defeat of Del. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, who had appeared to narrowly win re-election over GOP newcomer Kim Taylor. Instead, Taylor took a late lead in what appears to be an upset victory over Aird, as the battle for a House majority swung back and forth Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning with unofficial results subject to canvassing by local electoral boards to determine final winners. House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, declared victory with a statement released at 1:40 a.m....

Virginia has a state election cycle in 2021. Three statewide offices (Gov, LG, AG) are up as well as 100 state rep ("Delegate") offices. GOP needs help finding candidates for some of those 100 delegate offices. It notoriously failed to contest over a quarter of these offices in 2019 and we're stone-cold determined to make sure that never happens again. So we're aiming for 100% GOP ballot coverage - every person in the state should be able to vote for a GOP state rep. (Again, 25% of the pop could not last cycle!) The count was 31 unclaimed nominations a...

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Maryland state lawmaker Tawanna Gaines, a Democrat from Prince George's County, has abruptly resigned after being suspected of using money she raised for her reelection campaign for personal use. She submitted her resignation to House Speaker Adrienne Jones on Friday, Oct. 4. She now faces a federal wire fraud charge. Gaines, 67, has served in the Maryland House of Delegates since 2001 and, according to the AP, defrauded her campaign and its contributors of more than $22,000 from at least January 2015 through April 2018. "After much thought and consideration, I have decided to submit...

A powerful General Assembly committee voted Friday to revise Gov. Larry Hogan’s more than $46 billion budget proposal to provide millions more in funding for Maryland’s public schools, while cutting some of the Republican governor’s prized initiatives. Led by Baltimore Democrat Maggie McIntosh, the House Appropriations Committee approved a spending plan that provides about $320 million more for operating Maryland’s public schools. That would be the first step toward implementing recommendations from the so-called Kirwan Commission, which has proposed ambitious new programs to boost student performance. The committee’s spending plan also includes $500 million for public school construction and $46...

SILVER SPRING, Md. — A Maryland state lawmaker announced plans Thursday to draft a new bill that he says would crack down on radical mosques, but which critics say would be unconstitutional. “It is time to seriously recognize that we are at war with radical Islam,” said Del. David Vogt, a Republican who represents Carroll and Frederick counties. Under Vogt’s bill, mosques and other organizations that are linked to the spread and support of radical Islam would lose their tax-exempt status. In a statement, Vogt said it is “quite frankly insane” for state government “to continue raising taxes on hardworking...

A Republican state delegate is working toward a bid for Maryland’s open U.S. Senate seat, the first candidate with establishment support. Del. Kathy Szeliga, who represents Baltimore County and serves as minority whip in the House of Delegates, is taking steps toward a campaign. “I’m seriously looking at getting into this race and gauging support, and it’s really been actually overwhelming,” Szeliga said. She said that among those Republicans reaching out to encourage her effort, first reported Sunday by the Baltimore Sun, are Rep. Andy Harris, former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and his wife, Kendel; former lieutenant governor Michael...

The House passed the administration’s offshore wind power bill Friday amid accusations Gov. Martin O’Malley secured votes on the House Economic Matters Committee with disparity grants to committee members’ districts. “Those of you who have been here longer than two weeks know there’s a lot of complicated pressures that go into making a bill pass or fail,” said House Minority Leader Anthony O’Donnell. “Sometimes it takes a little nudge, sometimes it takes a carrot, and sometimes it takes a stick.” The disparity grant program in Maryland provides subsidies to jurisdictions with income tax receipts that fall below 75% of the...

RICHMOND, Va. — Bruce Jamerson, who served as clerk of the Virginia House of Delegates for 20 years, died Sunday. He was 53. Virginia State Police said officers found Jamerson’s body around 2:30 a.m. Monday along a walking path beside the James River in Powhatan County hours before House members were to reconvene a special legislative session on redistricting. Medical examiner spokesman Steve Murman says Jamerson died of a gunshot wound to the head and his death was ruled a suicide. State Police were called to search for Jamerson shortly before midnight on Sunday after his car was found parked...

Blacksburg, VA, April 11 – Long time New River Valley native Joseph Yost announces his candidacy for the Republican nomination to Virginia‟s 12th District House of Delegates seat. Yost is a dedicated Republican and has been an active member of the Montgomery County Republican Party since 2009. During that time, he has served in various leadership positions including secretary of the Party, precinct captain during the last two election cycles, and Parliamentarian. He also serves as Chair of the Roanoke/New River Valley Young Republicans. When asked what issues he sees as the forefront of his campaign, Yost said, “the needs...

Local media is reporting that Esam Omeish, the President of the Muslim American Society (MAS), has joined the race for a vacant seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. According to the report: Elections for vacant seats in the House of Delegates are always interesting, but the Democratic nomination fight in the 35th District looks like it'll be interesting indeed. Esam Omeish, a pediatric surgeon from Northern Virginia, has joined the race to succeed Del. Steve Shannon, D-Vienna. The 35th District includes the areas of Fairfax County just north and west of the city of Fairfax. Shannon is running for...

You've heard about this 36,000-word bill that proposes to pay for new roads with a menu of taxes and fees, including a sales tax on gas, and on house and car purchases. You've also heard the pleas - from, well, everybody - for simplicity and fairness and maybe enough money to actually fix the problem we've got. The kind of money Virginia could reap from a higher gas tax, or a bump in the sales tax. Or from wider tolling. But instead of either simplicity or fairness, Virginia will end up with a transportation-funding plan that gathers an inadequate mess...

This Friday, March 3, the House of Delegates Committee on Cities, Counties and Towns will hear SB 673, sponsored by Senator Mary Margaret Whipple (D-31, Arlington). This bill would allow self-insured local governments to add same-sex domestic partners to an employee's health insurance plan. The language of the bill purposefully is vague - not specifically mentioning homosexual couples - so as to soften perception and increase its chances of passage. It already passed the Senate 35-5 earlier in the session. Stopping this bill now - this Friday - in committee is the best way to defeat it. This bill was...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 25, 2005 Ferguson signs Taxpayer Protection Pledge, issues challenge to PlumCongressman Steve Stockman witnesses [Reston] Donny Ferguson (L-36th) gave voters a clear choice for the House of Delegates Monday afternoon, signing the Americans for Tax Reform “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” with former Congressman Steve Stockman witnessing. Ferguson then issued an open challenge to his opponent, Del. Ken Plum (D-36th) to join him in signing the Pledge, which Ferguson mailed to Plum’s home. “Ken Plum has dedicated his political career to crusading for skyrocketing taxes,” said Ferguson, “Whether it’s his County Income Tax scheme, his six-cent per gallon...

Wilkins resigns from House Chuck Lionberger / WSLS Jul 16, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just weeks after resigning as Speaker of the House, Amherst county delegate Vance Wilkins says he'll leave the General Assembly completely. Delegate Wilkins says he has mailed his resignation letter to the Clerk of the House of Delegates about his decision to retire, effective August 15th. Wilkins says he selected this date so Governor Mark Warner can set a special election to fill his seat for the remainder of his term. It would coincide with the November general elections, and Wilkins says it will save taxpayers money. Wilkins...