Latest news with #VirginiaDepartmentofElections
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
John Curran relaunches LG bid as write-in, alleging signature sabotage
John Curran has re-entered the lieutenant governor contest as a write-in candidate. (Photo courtesy of John Curran). John Curran, the former Republican candidate for lieutenant governor who said internal sabotage cost him a spot on the primary ballot, announced Monday he is re-entering the race — this time as a GOP-aligned write-in. 'Today, I am announcing my WRITE-IN campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia as a Republican,' Curran said in a statement. 'My decision is not to split the ticket but to save it.' Curran's announcement reignites tensions in an already turbulent race following his exit in April, when he failed to qualify for the ballot despite claiming to have far surpassed the 10,000-signature requirement. 'Unfortunately, a person(s) associated with my campaign conspired to steal most of my signatures and then attempted to extort money for them,' Curran wrote in a Facebook post after the filing deadline passed. 'Disappointingly, the Virginia Department of Elections and the Republican Party of Virginia did nothing to correct this wrong.' Mark Peake, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, dismissed Curran's write-in bid as entirely unofficial, distancing the party from his campaign. 'He is not running under the GOP banner whatsoever,' Peake said. 'We have a GOP candidate, and that's John Reid.' Peake pointed out that Curran never qualified for the Republican primary, despite claiming to be a contender. 'He failed to get enough signatures to get on the ballot,' he said. 'He is 100% not a Republican candidate in this upcoming election.' And Andrea Gaines, a spokeswoman for the department, said in an email that since write-in candidates do not appear on the ballot, 'they do not have party affiliation.' Political observers say Curran's surprise reentry raises more questions than answers. 'It is difficult to know what to make of John Curran's announcement,' said David Richards, a political science professor at the University of Lynchburg. 'As a write-in candidate, it seems like the sore loser law might not apply, but it also might limit his campaigning. Regardless, the whole thing seems odd.' Curran said in his statement that his campaign is fueled by 'grassroots organizations, religious and family groups, and collegiate groups' and not designed to divide the party. But by positioning himself as an alternative to Reid, the GOP's official nominee, he risks deepening an already visible rift within the party. 'Is Curran running to offer an alternative to John Reid? While that might seem a likely scenario, it has the danger of splitting the party,' Richards noted. 'And the GOP has already been wrestling with Reid's candidacy.' Reid, a conservative commentator and longtime Richmond radio host, became the GOP's nominee by default after Pat Herrity, a longtime member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, dropped out for health reasons. Late last month, Virginia's GOP turmoil escalated when Reid accused Gov. Glenn Youngkin's Spirit of Virginia PAC of attempted extortion, claiming the group offered to make damaging attacks disappear if he dropped out. Reid said the threats came after Youngkin personally urged him to quit over concerns tied to a controversial social media account. Reid, the first openly gay statewide candidate in Virginia history, called the situation 'bigotry and ugliness,' warning that the pressure from party leaders has only intensified. Curran alluded to those dynamics Monday, emphasizing that his concern is not Reid's personal background, but the process that installed him as nominee. 'This issue is not about my opponent being gay; it is about Virginia deserving the ability to choose who represents them as the Republican candidate,' he said. When asked for comment about Curran's renewed bid, a campaign spokesman for Reid texted back, 'Who?' Curran is now betting that Virginia conservatives will rally around a write-in candidacy — a historically uphill battle. 'Write-in campaigns are notoriously difficult to pull off,' Richards said, pointing to the failed 2024 effort by Bob Good supporters to mount a last-ditch write-in bid after his congressional primary defeat. 'Only a few hundred wrote in Good's name. This time it is a candidate himself announcing the write-in campaign. Maybe he will gain some traction, but it will take a tremendous shift in the GOP vote to make a difference.' Curran's platform touches on a range of issues — from housing and disaster recovery in Southwest Virginia to opposing abortion and improving adoption services. 'Virginia faces real issues that require strong leadership,' he said, portraying himself as a principled outsider wronged by the system. 'It is time for common sense and strength, for someone who will fight for everyone.' Still, his decision could prove costly for Republicans in November. 'Every write-in for Curran will mean a vote taken away from Reid,' Richards said. 'That opens the lead for whoever wins the Democratic primary in June.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Early voting begins today in Virginia
tazewell, va. — In-person early voting for Virginia's dual June 17 primary election begins today. Because there are six candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, all 133 Virginia counties are holding a Democratic primary. But 31 counties, including Tazewell County, will also be holding a Republican primary on June 17 due to the fact that two Republican candidates are seeking their party's nomination in the Western District board of supervisors contest. Early voting for the dual primary starts today and continues through Saturday June 14. In Tazewell County, early ballots will be cast at the voter registration office in North Tazewell, which is located at 2848 Riverside Drive in North Tazewell, according to Tazewell County Registrar Brian Earls. In the local Western District race, the two candidates vying for the Republican nomination for the Western District seat are Curt W. Breeding and Michael L. 'Mike' Wade. Voters will then decide the Western District and Southern District seats on the board of supervisors this November. The two incumbent supervisors, Aaron Gillespie in the Southern District and Andy Hrovatic in the Western District, are both not seeking re-election to the board. To cast an early ballot, registered voters should go to a designated early voting location within the jurisdiction in which they are registered, present their ID and cast a ballot, according to the Virginia Department of Elections. In addition to early voting, voters can also request an absentee ballot. Election officials will begin mailing requested absentee ballots today. Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot either in person, by mail, online or by contacting their general registrar's office. The deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot is June 6. On the June 17 ballot are Democratic Party primaries for lieutenant governor and attorney general as well as primaries for both Democratic and Republican nominees for House of Delegates seats and local races. Since only one gubernatorial candidate for each party qualified for the ballot, there will be no primary election for governor. Only those House of Delegates districts where more than one candidate qualified for the ballot will have a primary election. There are six candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. They are Levar Marus Stoney, Babur B. Lateef, Aaron R. Rouse, Victor R. Salgado, Ghazala F. Hashmi and Alexander J. Bastani Two Democrats also are vying for the attorney general nomination. They are Shannon Taylor and Jay C. Jones. In the Republican primary, two candidates are vying for lieutenant governor. They are Patrick S. 'Pat' Herrity and John J. Reid, II. Current Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears is a candidate for governor where she hopes to succeed incumbent Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. In Virginia, a candidate can only serve as governor for a single term, so Youngkin can't seek re-election. Former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger is the Democratic nominee for governor. Incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares is seeking re-election to that position and has no Republican challengers. He will face the winner of the two-person Democratic race on June 17 in the November General Election. Locally, Delegate James W. 'Will' Morefield, R-Tazewell, is seeking re-election in Virginia's 43rd Delegate District, which includes the counties of Bland, Buchanan, Tazewell, and parts of Dickenson and Russell counties. Morefield received the Republican nomination last month, and is now 8th in seniority in the House Republican Caucus and 15th in seniority out of 100 members in the Virginia House of Delegates. Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Norfolk election officials ask judge to remove one of its board members
Several Norfolk election officials have asked a Circuit Court judge to remove a member of the Norfolk Electoral Board, saying she has disrupted the election process and betrayed the nonpartisan nature of the position. Officials are asking a judge to remove Marianne McKay, the board vice chair, according to court documents. 'Her actions are a refusal to perform her required duties under state code as an appointed electoral board member,' Stephanie Iles, Norfolk general registrar, said in a Nov. 16 email to Virginia Department of Elections Commissioner Susan Beals. The case against McKay revolves around several actions taken by her during the 2024 June primary and November general election. In November, McKay attempted to rescind her approval of the 2024 election results because she was not allowed to personally review thousands of provisional ballots. 'Despite our procedures of researching all information for each provisional ballot cast to ensure the voter is eligible and in the correct precinct to present our findings before the board for approval, she continued to delay the request to certify the provisional votes,' Iles said in a Jan. 6 letter to the Virginia State Board of Elections. Additionally, Iles said McKay instructed election officials to deviate from normal protocols by asking chief and assistant chief officers to separately complete statements of results, according to the letter. 'Why would you change our procedures?' Iles asked. 'In a time where there are seeds of doubt sewn in our local and national elections, this action was tantamount to sabotage.' Iles also said McKay worked with a third-party election integrity group to staff outside poll watchers at the June and November elections. Iles said the poll watchers were instructed to illegally take pictures in the polling place and that she received complaints about their behavior. Iles called the actions ethically compromising and political in nature. 'Ms. McKay has exhibited aggressive actions and a micromanaging mentality as a board member,' Iles said in the letter, adding that she continues to ignore a passed motion telling board members to only perform duties assigned to their position. Finally, Iles said during the first election McKay served as a board member, she offended staff members with her opinions on gay people and offended Electoral Board Chair Atoy Carrington, who is Black, with racial insults. Carrington also sent an email to Beals and other state election officials in August, saying during the June primary McKay would not answer questions about an incident that occurred on another board member's assigned route. Carrington said McKay removed a poll chief at that precinct and replaced that person with one of her choosing. 'A team player she is not,' Carrington said. 'We have all attempted to work with Ms. McKay, but she refuses to work with us.' John Sitka, chair of the Norfolk Republican Party, even asked McKay to step down from her position after she included him in her email chains. In a Nov. 16 email, Sitka asked McKay to resign, saying doing so would prevent future embarrassment for her and Norfolk Republicans. 'If you do not voluntarily step down, I will have to consider asking a judge to remove you,' Sitka said in another email after McKay did not resign. In a written response to the state board, McKay sidestepped a question about whether she would withdraw her certification of the election if she had the chance to do it again. McKay claimed she and other poll watchers witnessed irregularities at the Chesterfield precinct, particularly involving groups of Norfolk State University students voting. She admitted to training the poll watchers but denied that it was ethically compromising because she said she was not acting as a board member at that time. She also countered claims of micromanaging by saying she was conducting oversight over Iles and blamed what she said was an overly broad motion delegating many tasks to the general registrar. She also denied insulting gay people or using racial insults. Virginia's bipartisan electoral boards are selected for three-year staggered terms by Circuit Court judges based on local party recommendations, according to the Virginia elections website. Iles said McKay was sworn in Dec. 15, 2022, and her term ends Dec. 31. McKay was one of three candidates recommended by former Norfolk GOP Chair Craig Shepherd, Iles said. Since Donald Trump falsely claimed the 2020 election was stolen and sought to overturn the results, the Republican Party and its allies recruited poll watchers in 2024 to attempt to collect evidence of fraud at elections, according to New York Times reporting. The Virginia Board of Elections voted 4-1 on March 4 to petition the court for McKay's removal. McKay's next hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in Norfolk Circuit Court. McKay, Iles and Carrington declined to comment. In a handwritten letter sent to Iles' home following the June primary, McKay quoted a Bible verse from Proverbs: 'Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpers another.' Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345,
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Candidate's withdrawal from Virginia Republican primary means registrars must redo ballots
Fairfax County Supervisor Patrick Herrity is dropping out of the race for the Republican nomination to be Virginia's next lieutenant governor, he told a Washington, D.C., television station Monday. The withdrawal means that former Richmond radio talk-show host John Reid becomes the party's presumptive nominee. It also creates headaches for Virginia's voter registrars, who now must go back and get the ballots they set up for the June 17 primary redone. 'I wish the candidates would give forethought on their campaigns, as this aspect has already cost the offices whose ballot printing and envelope prep has been taking place for weeks,' Petersburg registrar Dawn Wilmoth told The Progress-Index Monday night after news of Herrity's withdrawal was broken by Washington station WJLA. 'Our offices cannot wait until two weeks prior to start getting ready.' Wilmoth said she signed off on the final draft for Petersburg's primary ballot, and it already has been approved by the Virginia Department of Elections. 'We need to get logic and analytical testing of voting machines and electronic poll book media ready ahead to set those processes up,' she added. 'That's all needed to support that process and be done in advance to go live by May 2.' Herrity pulling out of the race means all that has gone for naught. Wilmoth said. There are still primary races to be run in Petersburg. Three Democrats are running for that party's nomination, and two others are running for the nomination for attorney general. Additionally, incumbent Commissioner of the Revenue Brittany Flowers is being challenged for the Democratic nomination by Mary 'Liz Stith' Howard, chair of the city's Redevelopment & Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. Celebrity sushi chef brings 'Tasting Japan' tour to Petersburg's schools Herrity, 64, who recently underwent heart surgery, confirmed to WJLA that he was pulling out of the nomination race due to health reasons. 'I've kind of come to the conclusion you really have to be on all the time. You've got to be on the road all the time,' Herrity told the station. 'You've got to be at 150%, and I was at 150% until my surgery. But with the complications that I've had, I don't see myself being able to be at that 150% that it's going to take to win in November. And I think it's in the best interest of the party and the ticket to make that determination now, rather than wait.' Those complications, he said, were not a heart attack or stroke, just setbacks from the surgery. Reid's campaign issued a statement that said he was 'praying' for Herrity's health, calling Herrity a 'gentleman' throughout the primary process. 'With Pat's selfless decision [Monday], our party now has an early opportunity to unify behind a historic, solidly conservative, reasonable, and responsible GOP ticket led by Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares that will continue to build on Governor [Glenn] Youngkin's success,' the statement read. Petersburg Councilor Marlow Jones has announced an independent bid for Virginia's second-highest statewide office. Normally a Republican, Jones told The Progress-Index he opted for an independent run because if elected, he would have to work with both sides of the aisle. Dinwiddie County kids, birth to age 5, may now get free books mailed to them each month Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@ or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Patrick Herrity removes himself from bid for Va. lieutenant governor
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Big Bucks, big stakes: Virginia candidates raise over $20 Million as 2025 election season heats up
Virginia governor candidates Abigail Spanberger (left) and Winsome Earle-Sears. (Spanberger photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury, Earle-Sears photo by Parker Michels-Boyce for the Virginia Mercury) With three statewide offices and all 100 House of Delegates seats up for grabs, Virginia Department of Elections campaign finance reports show candidates across the commonwealth pulled in a staggering $20.4 million between Jan. 1 and March 31, underscoring the intensity and razor-sharp competition ahead. In the marquee governor's race, Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger has soared to an early financial lead, raising $6.7 million to Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears' $3.1 million. Spanberger enters the heart of campaign season with $11 million cash on hand — nearly three times more than her GOP opponent. Earle-Sears' total, however, comes despite a significant fundraising constraint: as a sitting legislator, she was prohibited from soliciting donations during much of the General Assembly session. 'I think it's important to note that that funding gap will narrow now that the legislative session is over,' said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. 'Now that the lieutenant governor is a Republican nominee, I imagine some Republicans were waiting for a resolution of the nomination process before weighing in with donations.' Fundraising is more than just a vanity metric — it's often a key indicator of campaign strength and viability. The flow of early money offers a roadmap for where parties and donors see the biggest opportunities or threats. DLCC pours money into Virginia races, citing 'All eyes on 2025' In the crowded race for lieutenant governor, 12 contenders reported a combined $2.4 million. Republican Pat Herrity leads with $540,000, followed closely by Democrat Levar Stoney, the former Richmond mayor, at $429,000. Democrats Aaron Rouse and Babur Lateef are virtually tied at just under $400,000, while Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Richmond, trails at $306,000. Farnsworth said that Stoney's strong showing is likely helped by a familiar fundraising machine – former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who endorsed Stoney's bid early on. 'McAuliffe's greatest skill as a politician has always been fundraising. And that pipeline will be very useful to the former mayor,' he said. The race for attorney general has also attracted big money early. Incumbent Jason Miyares, a Republican, raised $1.5 million in the first quarter, while former Del. Jay Jones of Norfolk, aiming for a comeback after his 2021 primary loss, followed with $931,000. Democrat Shannon Taylor, the Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney, pulled in $534,000. Meanwhile, the 286 candidates running for the House of Delegates brought in $5.2 million altogether. Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, sits atop the pile with $813,000. But it's a Democratic challenger from Southwest Virginia who may be drawing the most attention — and dollars. Lily Franklin, who narrowly lost to Republican Chris Obenshain in 2023 by just 183 votes, is leading all battleground Democrats this quarter with over $190,000 raised. She has collected more than $245,000 this cycle, putting her in a strong position to flip House District 41. 'We're seeing big investments in Southwest Virginia — and they're coming from everyday people,' Franklin said. 'With nearly 2,000 donations and a median gift of just $25, this is a community-led movement fueled by our neighbors.' Obenshain, who reported $50,000 raised this quarter, dismissed the fundraising numbers as political theater. 'It's no surprise that my opponent has used her career as a political operative to raise money from left-wing special interest groups that care more about Washington, D.C. than Southwest Virginia,' he said, touting his legislative record on tax cuts, childcare, electric bills and public safety. Farnsworth, the political scientist, noted the strategic importance of Franklin's campaign. 'Early political money especially is going to be targeted to the greatest opportunities for the party, and the closeness of the last election in this district and the money Democrats are raising suggest that this may be one of the top priorities for Democrats this cycle,' he said. Republicans in swing districts unite in 'Purple Caucus' ahead of Va. House races That trend is especially visible in Virginia's so-called Purple Caucus — a group of about one dozen House Republicans in vulnerable suburban and swing districts. One of its leaders, Del. Amanda Batten, R-James City County, appears financially underwater, raising just over $15,000 in Q1. Her Democratic challenger, Jessica Anderson, brought in more than $116,000 from over 1,300 small-dollar donors. 'There's no doubt about it,' Farnsworth said, 'if you're in the Purple Caucus, you're potentially vulnerable, and the fundraising game may be a key part of trying to keep that seat.' Another GOP incumbent facing pressure is Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield, who is trying to fend off a three-way Democratic primary. Coyner raised $131,000 last quarter, making her the highest-earning Republican in the House. Dustin Wade leads the Democratic field with $69,000, followed by Lindsey Daugherty and Stephen Miller-Pitts. Elsewhere, House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert, who is eyeing a federal appointment as U.S. Attorney, has raised $119,000. His Democratic challenger, Catherine Elizabeth Rec, has pulled in just $1,400 since launching her campaign in February. And in the only Republican House primary so far, Del. Terry Austin, R-Botetourt, has dramatically outraised challenger Austen Schwend with $30,000 to just under $3,000. With more than six months until Election Day, the cash race is just getting started. But in Virginia politics, early dollars often spell early momentum — and that's something no candidate can afford to ignore. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
