State and National Government
Shortly before holding his regular weekly press conference today, US Senator Tim Kaine says he found out that the new FBI headquarters would NOT be located in Springfield and Fairfax County. Kaine also pointed to a letter released today from FBI Director Christopher Wray, who expressed concern that the person making the final determination that a Greenbelt, Maryland property near Landover was the best site – came from someone with former professional ties to the parcel owner. Funding for the new FBI headquarters must be approved by Congress and Kaine hinted there may be some recourse there. Kaine, fellow Democratic US senator Mark Warner and Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin joined forces to lobby for the Springfield location.
Karen Hult (VT photo)
The surprise General Assembly sweep of both chambers on Tuesday night by the Democrats – despite the tireless efforts of Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin as he sought a GOP sweep – should make for an interesting 2024 legislative session, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
Photo: Democratic candidate Trish White-Boyd addresses supporters
After the race for Virginia’s Senate district four seat was called in favor of her opponent by the NY Times, Democratic candidate Trish White-Boyd reflected on what she called a job well done. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has that story:
A lot of Virginians are now receiving tax rebate checks in the mail — many arrived yesterday, one day before this election day. But speaking live this morning on WFIR, Governor Youngkin said there is no intentional timing in play. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:
Party control of the General Assembly is at stake, but don’t be surprised if final resolution is at least one week away. That’s because all absentee ballots postmarked by today and received through the mail by next Monday must be counted.
Youngkin’s comments came in a live interview today on the Roanoke Valley’s Morning News. Click here to see the full conversation:
There could be a lot of new faces in the Virginia Legislature after today’s elections. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreño reports this is one of the most impactful legislative elections in decades.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Although his name won’t appear on the ballot, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin looms large over Tuesday’s general election in Virginia. Republicans hope to gain full control of the state legislature and clear a path for the governor to enact his proposals on abortion, education, taxes and other key policy priorities. Democrats seek to maintain control of at least one chamber and possibly flip the other to continue to serve as a check against Youngkin’s agenda.
In 2021, Republicans won a narrow 52-48 majority in the House of Delegates and swept every statewide constitutional office. Meanwhile, Democrats hold a slim 22-17 majority in the state Senate. An additional state Senate seat most recently held by a Republican is vacant.
All 40 state Senate seats and 100 state House seats will be on the ballot, but the balance of power will likely be determined by a handful of competitive districts in northern Virginia near Washington, D.C., central Virginia near Richmond and southeast Virginia in the Hampton Roads area.
In the state Senate, Democrats face competitive races in the four districts that voted for Democrat Joe Biden for president in 2020 but then supported Youngkin the following year. The governor has been active on the Virginia campaign trail. Since his election in 2021, his political action committee has spent $19 million on contributions to legislative candidates, local party committees and other campaign expenses. And as he possibly mulls a late entry into the 2024 presidential race, the outcome of Tuesday’s election could be interpreted as a referendum on Youngkin himself.
Photo: David Suetterlein Facebook
Pushback from Republican State Senator David Suetterlein today after Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea stated yesterday that City Council has not raised taxes as a Suetterlein ad has claimed:
One of those Roanoke City Council members is Democrat Trish White-Boyd, Suetterlein’s opponent in next Tuesday’s election, for the new State Senate District 4 seat. She has also denied allegations of having voted to raise taxes for Roanokers while on Council.
Photo: Mark Warner Facebook page.
U.S. Senator Mark Warner says he recognizes Israel’s “right and obligation,” to defends itself in the aftermath of the Hamas attack last month. But live on WFIR this morning, Warner also noted “the brutal bombardment of Gaza,” and the disproportionate number of women and children being killed by missile strikes. Hear the complete live conversation with Senator Mark Warner below or on Facebook.
A former Delegate himself, 6th District Republican Congressman Ben Cline took a minute away from discussing Israel, the budget funding bills and new speaker of the House Mike Johnson live on-air this morning to talk about Governor Youngkin and the upcoming Virginia state elections next Tuesday – in a General Assembly that currently has split Chambers:
Cline tells WFIR he thinks all of the appropriation bills for fiscal year 2024 will pass in the GOP-majority House by November 17, although Republicans may seek funding cuts in social programs that the Democrat-led Senate is likely to reject. Hear the complete conversation with congressman Ben Cline below:
Election day is two weeks away, and at stake in Virginia is party control of the General Assembly. Our political analyst says both Republican and Democratic insiders tell him one party appears more likely to gain full control — but it is hardly a given. Bob Denton says from all indications, control in the State Senate and House of delegates will come down to 11 contests or so that appear most competitive, mainly in the Hampton Roads and Richmond areas. In the Roanoke region, the State Senate race between Republican David Suetterlein and Democrat Trish White-Boyd appears tight, especially with the recent release of some negative TV ads. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones: