Latest news with #D-Henrico
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Youngkin sets Sept. 9 special election to fill Connolly's seat in Congress
U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Fairfax, died last month from a resurgence of cancer. At least four Democrats have signaled their interest in filling the vacancy. (Photo by Robin Bravender/States Newsroom) Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Tuesday set a special election for Sept. 9, 2025, to fill the congressional seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Gerry Connolly, a longtime Democratic fixture in Northern Virginia who passed away May 21 after a recurrence of cancer. The writ of election, issued by Youngkin's office, triggers a high-stakes contest in Virginia's 11th Congressional District, a region that leans solidly Democratic and is home to a large population of federal workers. Candidates hoping to compete must file by July 11, with eligibility details available on the Department of Elections website. Connolly, 75, died just weeks after announcing he would not seek reelection. First elected to Congress in 2008 after a decade on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, including five years as chair, Connolly became known as a detail-oriented legislator with a focus on government oversight and civil service protections. Before his time in local government, he worked on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and held positions in the private sector with firms like SRI International and SAIC. His death set off a cascade of questions about how and when the seat would be filled. Virginia law requires the governor to call a special election to replace a congressional representative, but offers flexibility on timing. Elections must be held on a Tuesday and cannot occur within 55 days of a regularly scheduled general or primary election — a restriction that ruled out much of the summer due to Virginia's June 17 congressional primaries. Manisha Singh, chair of the 11th District Democratic Committee, told The Mercury last week her group has been preparing for this moment while awaiting Youngkin's decision. She described the task ahead as urgent but clear — to ensure a transparent and accessible nomination process. 'Our voters will have plenty of opportunity to have their voice heard,' Singh said. She added that the local party's role is not to favor any one candidate, but to oversee a fair election process. Democratic Party of Virginia Chair Sen. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, said last week that the party intentionally held off on finalizing its plans out of respect for the governor's timeline. With the election date now set, he said, urgency will be key. 'I want to see a nomination process that gives voters time and space to be heard,' Bagby said. Democrats are expected to hold a 'firehouse primary' in mid-July to select their nominee. The Fairfax County Democratic Committee has already begun lining up polling locations, with plans to offer at least one site in each magisterial district. Several candidates have already stepped forward or signaled interest in the Democratic nomination. Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw, who once served as Connolly's chief of staff and had already received the late congressman's endorsement, is widely seen as a frontrunner. Also weighing bids are state Sen. Stella Pekarsky, D-Fairfax; Fairfax Planning Commissioner Candice Bennett; and attorney Amy Roma, a Vienna resident who specializes in global energy policy. Singh acknowledged the difficulty of replacing a lawmaker as experienced and deeply rooted in the community as Connolly. 'It is a humongous void that we are feeling right now, and it's some really big shoes to fill,' she said. Still, she voiced confidence in the emerging field of candidates. 'We have some excellent candidates who I am very sure are up to the challenge.' On the Republican side, Mike Van Meter, a former law enforcement officer who lost to Connolly in 2024 by a 67-33% margin, has announced plans to run again. So far, no other Republican contenders have entered the race. Connolly's legacy looms large over the upcoming contest. In his final message to constituents, delivered just weeks before his death, he reflected on his 30 years in public service and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve: 'My extended family — you all have been a joy to serve.' The full writ of election is available on the Virginia Department of Elections website. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Youngkin to set special election for Connolly's seat amid primary season juggle
U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Fairfax, speaks at a press conference outside of USAID headquarters on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Elon Musk, tech billionaire and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), said in a social media post that he and U.S. President Donald Trump were shutting down the foreign assistance agency. (Photo by) As Fairfax County laid to rest longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly Tuesday, attention shifted to the fast-moving process of replacing him in Congress — a decision that rests with Gov. Glenn Youngkin and could reshape the calendar for both parties in the politically vital 11th District. Connolly, 75, died last week after a resurgence of cancer, just weeks after announcing he would not seek reelection. His passing leaves a vacancy in a district anchored in Fairfax that leans heavily Democratic and is home to tens of thousands of federal workers. A spokesperson for Youngkin on Tuesday declined to say whether the governor has made a decision on when to schedule a special election. Under Virginia law, the governor is required to issue a writ of election to fill a vacancy in the U.S. House of Representatives. However, there is no mandated timeline for doing so. But state law also stipulates that special elections must be held on a Tuesday and cannot occur within 55 days prior to a general or primary election. With the June 17 primaries approaching, the earliest possible date for the special election would be June 24. Manisha Singh, chair of the 11th District Democratic Committee, acknowledged the challenges ahead. 'We do have to juggle a lot of things, and with the primary less than 20 days away, it is a lot,' Singh said in a phone interview Tuesday. She emphasized that once Youngkin sets the date, her committee's job is not to pick a candidate but to oversee a transparent and accessible process. 'Our committee is just responsible for the process of voting and not dictating who should or should not be filling these shoes.' State Sen. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia, said the party is prepared to proceed with urgency. 'We don't have a process yet, because (we) didn't want to get ahead of the governor's announcement,' he said. 'I'm going to encourage a process that offers the most amount of time for voters to be able to cast their vote and the most voters to be able to be engaged.' Singh echoed that goal, saying the local party's plan 'is to organize our process and move swiftly' while ensuring that 'everybody … is going to have a fair and open process, all inclusive.' She added, 'Our voters will have plenty of opportunity to have their voice heard.' Democrats are considering a 'firehouse primary' in July to pick their nominee, assuming a late-summer special election date. The Fairfax County Democratic Committee has already begun lining up voting sites, with plans for at least one per magisterial district. A handful of candidates have already expressed interest in the Democratic nomination, including: Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw, a former Connolly chief of staff who has received the late congressman's endorsement; state Sen. Stella Pekarsky, D-Fairfax; Fairfax Planning Commissioner Candice Bennett; and attorney Amy Roma, a Vienna resident and global energy policy expert. Singh acknowledged the magnitude of the moment for Democrats in her district after Connolly's death. 'It is a humongous void that we are feeling right now, and it's some really big shoes to fill,' she said. But she expressed confidence in the field of contenders. 'We have some excellent candidates who I am very sure are up to the challenge.' On the Republican side, Mike Van Meter, who lost to Connolly 67-33% last year, is running again. No other GOP candidate has announced a bid. Political analyst Stephen Farnsworth of the University of Mary Washington warned that delays in setting the election date can serve partisan ends. 'One of the problems with vacant congressional seats is that some governors use the timing for partisan advantage,' he said. 'Democrats are very likely to win the seat, and so as long as it remains vacant, that creates a slight advantage for the narrow Republican majority in Congress.' Farnsworth said governors from both parties have taken advantage of timing in tight political environments. 'The country would be much better off if we had very firm rules about elections being called as soon as possible when there are vacancies,' he said. He added that the 11th District's deep-blue profile gives Democrats flexibility to nominate a progressive candidate. 'In Virginia 11, if you have a Democratic nomination in one hand and a pulse on the other, you're more or less going to be elected.' And Singh said Connolly's legacy will loom large in the coming campaign. 'Fairfax is quite progressive, and Gerry Connolly has always reflected the sentiments of his constituents,' she said. 'He has never been afraid to stand by his principles and what his district needs.' 'What we will need is a leader who, irrespective of where their belief is, is always putting the district before themselves or anything else,' Singh added. 'I know the voters in the district will do us proud and will make sure Gerry Connolly's legacy lives on.' Connolly's career bridged international policy and local governance. Born in Boston, he worked for a decade on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, overseeing issues such as narcotics, global economics, and U.N. affairs. He later moved into the private sector with firms like SRI International and SAIC. He was first elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1995 and became chair in 2003, leading efforts around smart growth and environmental stewardship. In 2008, Connolly won election to Congress and quickly gained a reputation as a detail-oriented policymaker focused on government accountability. Last month, he announced his plan to retire, writing, 'With pride in what we've accomplished together over 30 years, my loving family and staff sustain me. My extended family — you all have been a joy to serve.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Virginia House clerk rejects three of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's vetoes
Gov. Glenn Youngkin. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury) The clerk of Virginia's House of Delegates on Wednesday night rejected three of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's recent vetoes in the state's revised two-year budget. Acting within the clerk's purview as Keeper of the Rolls, Paul Nardo published a letter on Virginia Legislative Information System that he would not formally publish the vetoes because they are unconstitutional under Virginia's constitution. The rejections blocked Youngkin's vetoes of measures the legislature approved to expand access to weight-loss drugs in the state's Medicaid program, to provide additional state and federal Medicaid reimbursements to nursing homes to bolster staff growth efforts, and to stop the state from issuing a contract to manage state employee health benefits on a contingency basis. In explaining he would not publish the vetoes, Nardo said that Youngkin had attempted to veto the provisions without also vetoing the budget appropriation that contained it. 'Accordingly, I am duty-bound to not publish them,' he wrote as he cited constitutional law. Del. Rodney Willett, D-Henrico, who had carried the budget amendment for the weight-loss drug coverage, said Thursday he's pleased the veto was rejected because the legislature had agreed for it to be appropriated. He also emphasized how the drugs can 'save lives.' Willett's proposal stemmed from a recommendation by the rural health committee he chaired last year, which had toured the state to explore health disparities and solutions. Obesity has been a key contributing factor to health disparities — sometimes a result of other preexisting health conditions or a precursor to them, and sometimes being a side effect of living in areas with limited access to healthy foods and health care facilities. Weight-loss drugs can help people better manage their overall health, and prevent incurring additional health issues that could inflate Medicaid costs down the line. 'It's one of those win-wins,' Willett said in a call. 'Because you're going to save lives by getting people on that drug, but then also save money for the state.' Virginia's Supreme Court has previously defined an item in an appropriation bill like the state budget, for constitutional purposes, as an 'indivisible sum of money dedicated to a stated purpose which may be eliminated from the bill without affecting the enactment's other purposes or provisions.' Given that the vetoes were not recognized by Nardo, Willett thinks those appropriations should be implemented. Youngkin disagrees with that stance and plans for the executive branch to operate as if the vetoes stand, he told press at an unrelated bill signing on Thursday. Political analyst Stephen Farnsworth believes the dispute could 'end up in the courts, like just about everything these days.' *This is a developing story and will be updated. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bagby elected next Democratic Party of Virginia chair
Del. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury) Following a brief campaign to replace outgoing Democratic Party of Virginia chairwoman Susan Swecker, Sen. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, was chosen as her successor over the weekend. After announcing her decision to step down last month ahead of her term's end in December, Bagby emerged as the sole and heavily-endorsed candidate. Then democratic organizer and activist Josh Stanfield and DPVA 10th Congressional District chair Zach Pruckowski announced their candidacies, as well. At a March 22 meeting of DPVA members, Bagby won election to complete Swecker's term, with 66% of the votes. 'My role is to make sure that I'm providing the glue to keep us together, to make sure that our coordinated campaigns and messaging is in sync, and that we have the resources to to get it done,' he told The Mercury ahead of his election. In the weeks before the election, Stanfield had questioned Bagby's failure to disclose certain financial information on paperwork elected officials are required to file. Bagby updated the documents to correct what he called an 'oversight.' As he prepares to take on his role within DPVA, he does not plan to step down from his current term as a state senator or as chair of the senate's Transportation Committee. He will resign as chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. With 32 members, the caucus is ripe with others who could become its primary voice. With Virginia's elections for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates up for election this year, Bagby will now be able to play a role as the face and voice of DPVA to help boost Democrat candidates. While candidates may look to the party for support in a handful of the most-competitive districts this year, Democrats are also stepping up to run in nearly every district. Maintaining their majority in the House will be important for the advancement of three proposed constitutional amendments. Amending the state constitution requires resolutions to pass the legislature two years in a row with a House election in between before appearing on statewide ballots for final approval or rejection by voters. While resolutions to remove a same-sex marriage prohibition from the constitution and to enshrine voting rights for people whith felony convictions who've completed their sentences passed with bipartisan support, a reproductive rights resolution advanced because of Democrats' majority in the legislature. 'I am ready to roll up my sleeves, work with local committees, engage directly with voters, and ensure our party keeps leading Virginia toward a brighter and better future,' Bagby said in a DPVA press release announcing his election as chair. The Republican Party of Virginia may also see new leadership as chairman Rich Anderson has been tapped by President Donald Trump to serve as assistant secretary of the Air Force. Pending likely U.S. Senate approval, RPV could elect its new chair as early as April 12 , when its next meeting is scheduled. State Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, has announced his candidacy for the race backed by Gov Glenn Youngkin, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares. Earle-Sears is running for governor this year and Miyares is seeking another term as attorney general, so the new RPV chair can also support their candidacies. Regaining Republican ground in the House could be a counterweight to the Democrat–controlled Senate, which is not up for election until 2026. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bagby's omission of his wife, businesses on economic interest disclosure forms raise questions
Del. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico. (Photo by Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury) Political officials in Virginia are required to submit Statement of Economic Interest forms that are posted to the state's ethics advisory council website. As a part-time legislature, delegates and senators have lives and other work outside of representing constituents and must disclose publicly what might be an economic interest to them. Sen. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, who is running to be the next chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia, initially failed to disclose his wife and various businesses on recent SOEI forms. Though the document has been amended to include those details, one of his opponents in the race questions why they weren't revealed in the first place and if it's something Republicans could target Bagby for should he become the leader of the state's Democratic party. Bagby told The Mercury that the omission was an 'oversight.' The form includes the question 'Do you or a member of your immediate family own, separately or together, a business that has a value in excess of $5,000?' Bagby had at first answered 'no,' despite his wife's salon and event space businesses. On the updated form, amended on March 10, he answered yes to that question. Josh Stanfield, who is also running for DPVA chair, has tried to ask Bagby about potential conflicts of interest in candidate forums. In an interview with the Mercury and on his blog, Stanfield noted that when former Democratic governor L. Douglas Wilder was a candidate in 1989, he came under scrutiny from Republicans for failing to disclose his real estate and stock holdings on forms. At the time, Wilder called on then-Democratic Attorney General Mary Sue Terry to investigate the matter. '(She) was able to put that to rest,' Stanfield said. 'But the point is, when it comes to these forms, any sort of omission or anything of serious question gives the Republicans a route of attack, whether founded or unfounded.' Stanfield also points to Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares' run for re-election and how former DPVA spokesperson Liam Watson was subject to a probe from Miyares' office. Watson, who left DPVA in 2023 after being elected to Blacksburg town council, now faces trial for election fraud charges. DPVA's central committee members will vote between Zach Pruckowski, Bagby and Stanfield on March 22 to pick the party's new chair. That person will then be the new face and voice of the political party in Virginia and can play a key role in boosting Democrats ahead of this year's House of Delegates and executive branch elections. The Democratic Party of Va. will pick a new leader this month. Here are the candidates' platforms. When reached for comment, Pruckowski did not wish to weigh in on Bagby's forms. 'I'm just staying focused on making the case to members of (DPVA's Central Committee) that I'm the best guy for the job,' he said. As candidates for an inner-party race rather than a state-run election, neither Stanfield and Pruckowski are subject to the SOEI. 'To qualify for the ballot in a state-run election, you have to fill out to SOEI,' DPVA's executive director Shyam Raman said. Meanwhile, as a former state candidate and current state lawmaker, Bagby fills out SOEI forms each year. Issues with Bagby's paperwork were first discovered by independent journalist Christa Motley and when she questioned Bagby about them, his lawyer responded. 'The omission that you shared has been addressed and was a result of an oversight,' Bagby's lawyer Joe Massie wrote to Motley on March 11 after the forms had been updated. Motley, who has spent years reporting on how Virginia's substance use recovery homes are managed in the state, uncovered Bagby's connections to the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences and began looking into his finances more closely when he announced his run for DPVA chair. Her reporting on recovery homes revealed Bagby's role in state funds that VARR has received in recent years — a role Bagby has downplayed. 'All I have done was give money to the recovery community,' he said in a recent interview with The Mercury. Emails that Motley received through a Freedom of Information Act request showed VARR officials referring to Bagby as a 'champion' in the legislature. He also joined a limited liability company called Imagine The Freedom LLC with members of VARR, which owned a property, as well. Though the LLC was on Bagby's previous SOEI forms, it is absent in recent years. This is because his association with Imagine The Freedom has ended, he told The Mercury. Virginia's Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council website is where SOEI forms are publicly viewable. The database indicates that Bagby recently amended his filing, but previous versions of the forms are not publicly available. The Mercury confirmed the omissions through a records request to the council. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
