Clark Palmer
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Counting commenced Sunday afternoon at a hotel in Richmond to tabulate the votes cast by tens of thousands of Virginia Republicans a day earlier in the party’s nominating contest for governor and other statewide offices.
The several dozen people managing the hand-counting effort began their work with the attorney general contest, John March, a spokesperson for the Republican Party of Virginia said.
March said it’s a possibility that at least the attorney general nominee could be declared Sunday. He said the governor’s race would be counted second, followed by the lieutenant governor’s race.
Officials have warned it may take multiple days to finish the counting, which was complicated by the ranked-choice voting method used, as well as a proportional representation system awarded each city and county.
The GOP opted, after a bitter, drawn-out fight, to hold what it called an unassembled convention on Saturday. Because pandemic restrictions ban mass gatherings, delegates cast ballots Saturday at nearly 40 polling sites statewide.
The Republican candidates for attorney general are: Leslie Haley, a law firm partner and elected official in Chesterfield County; state Del. Jason Miyares; Chuck Smith, a former U.S. Navy JAG commander; and Jack White, a minister, Army veteran and former clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Jr.
Democrats will choose their nominees for statewide offices in a primary June 8. In that party’s nominating contest for attorney general, state Del. Jay Jones is challenging incumbent Mark Herring.
The Washington Post reported that the start of Sunday’s vote-counting was briefly delayed after a housekeeper entered the ballroom where the ballots were stored and snapped tamper-proof tape that had been used to seal the room. That set off a frenzy to investigate and review video to make sure nothing was amiss, according to the newspaper
(Courtesy of Glenn Youngkin Facebook)
FALLS CHURCH, VA – Conservative Republican business leader and candidate for Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin today announced the endorsement of Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Second Amendment and pro-life champion who, just like Youngkin, stepped away from a very successful business career to run for governor as a conservative outsider.
In a video message to Virginia Republicans, Stitt says, “I truly believe Glenn Youngkin is the best chance Republicans have of winning Virginia this November,” and urges voters to “rank Glenn as your first choice May 8th.”
Calling Glenn a “good Christian man and a great leader,” Stitt highlighted Youngkin’s support for religious liberty and “successful business background.”
“He’s also a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. Glenn won’t let the Democrats take away your guns or force taxpayers to fund abortion,” says Stitt.
“Governor Stitt is a fellow businessman and conservative outsider who has stood up for the right to life and the right to keep and bear arms. He’s also done an excellent job getting Oklahoma’s economy moving – which is exactly what I will do here in Virginia when I’m governor. I’m so very grateful to have Governor Stitt’s support,” said Youngkin. “Our momentum heading into Saturday’s election is just incredible – we are really feeling it on the ground as we unite Republicans across Virginia. We are bringing together an army of voters who will stop liberal Terry McAuliffe, end the Democrats’ vice grip on Richmond, and rebuild Virginia into the best place in America to live, work, and raise a family.”
Stitt’s endorsement comes as conservative momentum builds behind Youngkin, the only true conservative outsider who can win among the Republican candidates in the field.
On Sunday, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz announced his endorsement of Youngkin. Cruz will join Youngkin on the campaign trail at select events in Virginia this week.
Youngkin – who pledged to not accept a salary as governor – was endorsed by conservative radio icon Hugh Hewitt, recently endorsed by the conservative group Middle Resolution PAC, and won straw polls conducted by the Liberty University College Republicans and the Virginia Faith and Freedom Coalition.
As CBS News in Charlottesville recently reported, election observers believe that if there’s any Republican that can beat liberal Terry McAuliffe in November, it’s Glenn Youngkin.
The full transcript of Governor Stitt’s message to Virginian Republicans is below:
Hi, my name is Kevin Stitt and I’m the Governor of Oklahoma.
There’s an important election coming up in Virginia on May 8th.
Republicans will choose their candidate for Virginia governor. I hope every conservative will rank Glenn Youngkin as their first choice.
I’ve gotten to know Glenn, and let me tell you, he’s a good Christian man and a great leader.
Glenn is a conservative who will open churches, protect religious freedoms. He’s also a strong supporter of the Second Amendment.
Glenn won’t let the Democrats take away your guns or force taxpayers to fund abortion.
Virginia needs someone with a successful business background who knows how to create jobs and deliver results.
I truly believe Glenn Youngkin is the best chance Republicans have of winning Virginia this November.
I’m proud to support Glenn Youngkin, and if you want Republicans to win again, I hope you will rank Glenn as your first choice May 8th.
(Update 4:30PM 5/3) Two year old Noah Trout in Giles County was found safe earlier today and now Giles County Sheriff Kyle Helton says a suspect has been charged in the apparent kidnapping. Nancy Renee Fridley,44 of Clifton Forge has been charged with abduction and felony child endangerment. No motive has been established yet according to Helton, who credited the FBI and a Virginia State Police team with locating Noad, apparently in good health..
(Update 2-pm 5/3) A two year old Giles County boy has been found safe according to the Sheriff’s Office. Noah Trout was in the hands of FBI Agents and VSP Tactical Team members as of 2pm. More details at a press conference later today. Noah was reportedly taken yesterday from a church in the Ripplemead area.
Previous: From the Giles County Sheriff’s Office: We have received information identifying a discrepancy in Noah Trout’s clothing description. Noah’s shirt was changed prior to going to church and is similar to the one below, except in royal blue. For those media partners who are helping us push this information to the public, please update previous posts.
Previous: The Virginia State Police and the Virginia Missing Children Clearinghouse has issued an AMBER Alert on behalf of the Giles County Sheriff’s Office, for a child abduction that occurred on May 2, 2021 at 1200 hours.
The child is believed to be in extreme danger and was last seen at Big Stony Creek Road, Ripplemead, VA.
Abducted is Noah Gabriel Trout, White, Male, Blond hair, Blue eyes, 2 years old, 2 foot 9 inches tall, weighing 33 lbs, Last seen wearing a gray shirt with a orange jacket.
The suspect has not been identified but is possibly wearing a blue jacket, blue jeans, black tennis shoes and a black beanie.
Possibly in a dark colored SUV or Van.
For further information contact the Giles County Sheriff’s Office at 540-921-3842 or visit Twitter.com/VSPalerts
From Giles County Sheriff’s Office: In reference to the abduction of 2 year-old Noah Trout, we have confirmed that this is a photo of Noah being led from the church by the suspect female. If you recognize this female, then please contact our office at 540-921-3842.
Virginia Tech running back Khalil Herbert was selected 217th overall by the Chicago Bears in the 6th Round of the NFL Draft today in Cleveland, Ohio. Herbert joins fellow Hokie Chrisitan Darrisaw, who was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1st Round, in the NFL’s NFC North Division.
The Virginia Lottery today released its report on sports wagering activity submitted by licensed operators for the month of March, the second full month of reporting since legal sports betting launched in Virginia on Jan. 21.
Between March 1 and March 31, 2021, Virginians wagered $304,066,245 (“handle”) and won $277,492,368, for a combined 8.74%operators win percentage (“hold”). Wagering on college basketball tournament activities involving non-Virginia colleges and universities for the month of March totaled $83,572,156 comprising 27.48 % of total wagers for the month.
The six licensed operators included in March’s reporting were Betfair Interactive US LLC (FanDuel) in partnership with the Washington Football Team, Crown Virginia Gaming LLC (Draft Kings), BetMGM LLC, Portsmouth Gaming Holdings LLC (Rivers Casino Portsmouth), Caesars Virginia LLC (William Hill) and WSI US, LLC (Wynn).A complete list of all approved operators can be found here. Additional details about the first three months of legal sports wagering activity were presented to the Virginia Lottery Board at its April 21, 2021 meeting, and that presentation can be viewedhere.
State law places a 15% tax on sports betting activity based on each permit holder’sadjusted gross revenue (AGR), which is defined as total wagers minus total winnings and other authorized deductions. Virginia’s statute allows operators to deduct certain customer acquisition costs from AGR, and operators reported $10.34 million in bonuses andfree-play incentives in March:
March 1 – 31, 2021
Gross sports gaming revenues:
$304,066,245
Gross winnings:
$(277,492,368)
Bonuses and Promotions:
$(10,340,533)
Other deductions:
$(2,388,332)
AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenue):
$13,845,012
Three operators reported positive AGR for March, and the resulting tax collection is as follows:
Total Tax:
$1,183,487.58
General Fund:
$1,153,900.39
Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund:
$29,587.19
Of the state tax on sports betting AGR, the statute specifies 97.5 percent is to be deposited in the state’s General Fund and 2.5 percent is to be deposited into the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund administered by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health.
After reports they were doing away with accelerated Math courses, Virginia Education officials are discussing what changes they are planning to make and what they mean for your child’s future. WFIR’s Clark Palmer explains with this In-Depth report.
To read the full Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative
https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/mathematics/vmpi/infographic-vmpi-virginia.pdf
The United Auto Workers union and Volo Trucks North America reached a 5-year-deal this morning ending a close to two week strike at the Dublin Plant. This comes after more than 2,000 Volvo employees with the union walked off the job on April 17, seeking changes including wage increases, job security, and wage progression. Volvo says production at the facility is set to resume on Monday.
From Roanoke County Public Schools: Due to an extended power outage in the William Byrd area, both William Byrd Middle School and William Byrd High School will be closed tomorrow (Friday, April 30). Appalachian Power informs us they do not anticipate restoring power until noon or later, therefore WBMS and WBHS students will not have classes tomorrow. This only applies to WBMS and WBHS.
Richmond Police have made arrests in connection with a shooting at an apartment complex that killed a woman and her three month old child. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has that story
Three men have been arrested following Tuesday’s shooting at The Belt Atlantic apartments on Midlothian Turnpike in Richmond that claimed the life of a mother and her 3-month-old daughter, and sent three additional victims to the hospital. Police say 22-year -old Donald Hemmings, 23-year-old Shyheem Martin, and 19-year-old Shamondrick Perry, are charged with conspiracy to commit murder. Additional charges are pending. A 29-year-old woman and two young girls, ages 11 and 15, were also shot during the incident and remain in stable condition.