State and National Government
US Senator Tim Kaine
A procedural vote could be taken today in the US Senate today regarding the establishment of a bi-partisan commission to investigate the January 6th Capitol riot. It was approved in the House, but its fate in the Senate is unclear, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
Courtesy of US Senate Historical Office
Former Senator John Warner was always a Republican, but he sometimes faced criticism from within the GOP for votes on issues that included gun-control. He turned back a primary challenge running re-election in 1996. After leaving the Senate, he often endorsed Democrats. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
Warner passed away Tuesday at age 94.
Courtesy of US Senate Historical Office
Democratic U.S. Senator Tim Kaine says he is stunned by the loss of former Virginia Republican U.S. Senator John Warner, who died last night at the age of 94. Kaine says Warner and his father-law, Linwood Holton built the Virginia Republican Party from irrelevance into a formidable force, competed against one another in the 1978 Virginia Senate race, and always found time for new projects and humorous reminiscence.
(The full statement from U.S. Senator Tim Kaine’s office can be read below:)
WASHINGTON, D.C. —U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement today on the passing of former U.S. Senator John Warner:
“I am stunned at the loss of John Warner. Virginia has lost an unmatched leader, and my family has lost a dear friend.
“John Warner and my father-in-law, Linwood Holton, interrupted their college studies to join the Navy during World War II. Each served in the Pacific theatre, and they met when they returned to Washington and Lee at the close of the war. Their fraternity brother days started a friendship that lasted 75 years. Lin and John worked together, built the Virginia Republican Party from irrelevance into a formidable force, competed against one another in the 1978 Virginia Senate race, and always found time for new projects and humorous reminiscence.
“When I married Anne in 1984, I entered the large circle of John’s friends. From his thirty-year post in the Senate, he helped me as Mayor and Governor again and again. In particular, I will never forget his advocacy that helped save the Metro Silver Line from the brink of extinction. His advice on matters large and small (mostly solicited but occasionally offered even though I hadn’t asked!) was always farsighted, patriotic, and delivered in pithy and memorable phrases.
“Once I came to the Senate, I understood even more deeply the influence of John Warner. I came to know John McCain, Carl Levin, and so many others who served with him and attested to his integrity and outsized influence in a body he loved so dearly. In particular, John’s service in the Navy during World War II, as a Marine during the Korean War, and as Secretary of the Navy, made him a steady hand as Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. And in this new chapter in my life, John’s advice again became essential.
“I consider it a deep honor to represent Virginia on the Armed Services Committee as John did, and I often think of him during Armed Services deliberations, wondering how he would handle the dilemmas of the day. Shortly after I was elected to my first term, I asked John to lunch in the Senate Dining Room. He hadn’t been in many years. When he walked into the room, the place absolutely lit up, and a steady stream of Senators and Senate staff made a path to the table to visit with a person they loved so much.
“John and I once talked about how the Senate of today was more partisan and less relationship-based than during his years of service. But at the end of our conversation, he told me: ‘But Tim, it’s not in the water supply or sick building syndrome. It’s in the character and priorities of the people who walk into the building every day. So you have a chance to walk into the Capitol and make it better each day.’
“Not having John Warner to go to for advice leaves a big hole in my life. But we can all celebrate a public servant who stood on principle, made us proud, and exemplified the best of what politics can be.
“My condolences go out to Jeanne and the entire Warner family.”
Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor Andria McClellan is a Norfolk City Council member, and one of six candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor in the June 8th primary. She stopped by the studio earlier this week and spoke with WFIR’s Gene Marrano – here is a “Longer Listen.”
Speaking live on WFIR this morning, the Republican Party candidate for Virginia Attorney General – Jason Miyares – said its ok to hold “two truths” when it comes to the issue of police officers and the use of excessive force – and those that line up squarely behind law enforcement. Miyares also said the Republican statewide ticket should appeal to some moderate Democrats. Hear the full-length conversation from this morning below:
Gov Northam – G Marrano photo
(from Governor’s office) Governor Ralph Northam will lead an international trade and marketing mission to Europe from May 15–21, 2021. He will be accompanied by Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball and representatives from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. The Governor and his delegation will visit Germany, Greece, and Switzerland, and participate in 15 meetings over the course of the mission.
(AP) Former Del. Winsome Sears led a field of six candidates seeking the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in Virginia after a first round of balloting in a GOP nominating convention [today]. Sears served a single term representing parts of Hampton Roads in the House of Delegates, when she became the first Black Republican woman to serve in the General Assembly after her election in 2001. She now lives in the Winchester area.
After a first round of ballots was counted Tuesday, Sears led with 32%, followed by former Fairfax County Del. Tim Hugo with 23% and Virginia Beach Del. Glenn Davis at 20%. More than 30,000 delegates cast ballots Saturday at what the party is calling an unassembled convention. Delegates ranked the candidates from first choice to last on the ballots they submitted.
Photo: Shawn Nowlin
From Glenn Youngkin Twitter: “I am prepared to lead, excited to serve and profoundly humbled by the trust the people have placed in me. Virginians have made it clear that they are ready for a political outsider with proven business experience to bring real change in Richmond..To the love of my life, my amazing wife of nearly 27 years, Suzanne – I am eternally grateful for your support. It has been incredible to have her, our four children and our extended family alongside me on this journey…. Lastly, a word of heartfelt thanks to all of the extraordinary people who worked so hard for this win. Your dedication and support means more than you will ever know. Now, let’s get to work for our beloved Commonwealth!”
Photo: petesnyder.com
From the Pete Snyder campaign:”While certainly would have preferred a W, I send my heartfelt congratulations to
@glennyoungkinon a tremendous race + deserved win. He + the ticket have my 100% support. Grateful to
@Bursonsnyder+ entire team. Love you all + our big family that is the VA GOP. #openourschools”
Photo: Shawn Nowlin
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) —Glenn Youngkin, a political newcomer who campaigned as a conservative, Christian outsider, edged closer to becoming Virginia’s Republican gubernatorial nominee as ballot-counting continued Monday night with Youngkin still short of a majority needed to clinch the nomination.
More than 30,000 delegates cast ballots Saturday at what the Republican Party of Virginia is calling an “unassembled convention” to choose their nominees for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.
With no candidate garnering a majority after the first round, the winner will be determined in part by whom delegates listed as their second and third choices among the seven candidates vying for the spot.
Under the ranked-choice voting system implemented by the party, the votes of the last-place candidate, former Roanoke Sheriff Octavia Johnson, were redistributed to the six remaining candidates based on whom those delegates designated as their second choice.
The process is repeated in subsequent rounds until a candidate gains a majority.
After five rounds of counting Monday, Youngkin had 42% of the weighted vote, followed by businessman Pete Snyder at 33% and state Sen. Amanda Chase at 25%, according to returns provided by the party.
Youngkin, a former CEO of The Carlyle Group investment firm, is making his first run for public office. He lent his campaign more than $5 million and spent more than any other candidate through March 31, according to data from the Virginia Public Access Project. He campaigned as a “conservative Christian outsider” and highlighted his business experience.
The party began counting ballots in the attorney general race on Sunday. Delegate Jason Miyares won a close race after three rounds of balloting over hard-right candidate Chuck Smith.
Smith’s surprisingly strong showing was interpreted by some as a good sign for Chase, a hard-right gubernatorial candidate who has been censured in the General Assembly in a bipartisan vote and is most closely associated with former President Donald Trump.
Chase, though, sat in third place after the fifth round of balloting. She has suggested she might run as an independent if she feels like the nomination process was unfair, particularly if Snyder wins the nomination.
Democrats will choose their nominee next month in a state-run primary. Former governor Terry McAuliffe is the front-runner in a field of five candidates.
Virginia bars incumbent governors from seeking reelection, so Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam is barred from seeking a second term this year.
Virginia is the only state with an open-seat gubernatorial contest this year; the race is being closely scrutinized as an early signal of each party’s political strength heading into the 2022 congressional elections.
Republicans have not won a statewide race in Virginia since 2009. But Republicans have some hope of ending their drought this year; since 1973, only once has the party controlling the White House gone on to win the governor’s race in Virginia the next year.
The convention was open to Virginia voters who pre-registered as delegates. People who had voted in past Democratic primaries were allowed to participate if they renounced their earlier Democratic votes and promised to support the Republican nominees in November.
