Latest news with #Virginian-PilotandDailyPress
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
In Virginia's 100th House District, Democrats choose their fighter
Democrats in part of Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore were preparing for a firehouse primary this month to select a nominee to challenge Del. Rob Bloxom in November. But now, one candidate says he's dropping out of the House District 100 race and endorsing the other, eliminating the need for the planned caucus vote on May 31. Rocco DeBellis, a New York native who serves as personal chef to Judge Judy, announced Tuesday he was stepping down from the race. If no other Democrats throw a hat in the ring by 5 p.m. Saturday, that would make Liz Richardson, of the Eastern Shore, the Democratic nominee. 'I'm incredibly grateful for (DeBellis') support and excited to see what we can accomplish together as a unified community,' Richardson said. DeBellis said he stepped into the race to run to ensure Democrats had a candidate running in all 100 of Virginia's House districts. 'We had 99% of all the districts covered, except for out here in our little town,' he said. 'I'm a native New Yorker that lives here on the shore, and I own a catering company and travel quite a bit now because we're in wedding season and back and forth to New York. And so when (Richardson) jumped in, she's a local here, and I think she would definitely be a better candidate.' The district includes a portion of Virginia Beach, around where the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel comes ashore, as well as Northampton and Accomack counties on the Eastern Shore. Bloxom, first elected in 2014, has fended off several challenges from well-financed Democrats over the years. President Donald Trump won the district by about 5 percentage points in 2024. Richardson, who describes herself as a rural advocate, educator and chaplain, announced her candidacy earlier this week. 'Too often, rural voices are left out of policy conversations that directly impact their lives,' Richardson said in the announcement. 'I'm running to make sure we are not only heard, but that we are shaping the future of Virginia in a way that uplifts all of our people — especially those who've been overlooked for too long.' 757 Votes: The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press 2025 primary election guide In a video posted to social media Tuesday, DeBellis and Richardson staged a boxing training session — DeBellis also teaches boxing at a gym on the shore. 'Check. Check. One-two. One-two,' DeBellis said as Richardson threw punches into his training paddles. 'Alright you got the Roc and Liz and we're mixing it up on the Shore,' he said, turning to the camera. 'For those of you that don't know us, we were both running for the 100th District here in Virginia. And as much as some of you would like a fight, we've decided we're going to unite instead, like the country should.' Kate Seltzer, 757-713-7881,
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
As early voting begins, a committed few turn out in Hampton Roads
Early voting began Friday for primary elections in Virginia, and a few Hampton Roads residents decided to show up as soon as possible. Noel Craig was among the first 30 people to vote early in Norfolk. A retired social worker, Craig said his biggest concerns were the threats to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and the threats to voting rights. He said the governor's race was the most important to him because it has the most direct impact on taxes and quality of life. Specifically, he wants the governor to address the high tolls in Hampton Roads and lower auto insurance rates. 'I think (the tolls) are ridiculous, I think there's other ways to generate revenue instead of implementing tolls all over the blasted place,' Craig said angrily. In Newport News, where there are three local primaries, Steve Groce exited City Hall around 9 a.m. Groce, 75, is a former chairman of the Newport News Republican City Committee, but on Friday he voted in the Democratic primary, he said. 'I don't consider myself a staunch Republican, so much as a conservative person.' Groce has a long history of organizing 'pop tents' in support of local conservative candidates at events such as the Fall Festival, Poquoson Seafood Festival and Larry King Law's Langley Speedway, he said. This year, he showed up for the Democratic primary out of respect for incumbent Commonwealth's Attorney Howard Gwynn. Gwynn, 72, has won eight straight unopposed elections — until this year. His challenger, Shannon Jones, 40, is opposing Gwynn in the Democratic primary. 'Howard Gwynn has been here a long time, and Howard Gwynn has been a non-partisan individual,' Groce said. 757 Votes: The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press 2025 primary election guide Thirty-one people had cast in-person, early ballots as of 12:40 p.m. Friday. at the Newport News Voter Registration office in City Hall. Voting began at 8 a.m., and about 15 minutes later, Hailey Dollar exited as the first Newport News resident to cast a vote in this year's primary election, she said. She voted for herself. Dollar explained that it was her first time voting. 'I want to support the democratic process: be the first in line; be good to go; ready,' she added. 'And you know the fact that my name is on the ballot helps.' Dollar, 35, is one of two Republicans vying to become the GOP nominee for Virginia's House of Delegates 70th District. The district covers a portion of Newport News. Dollar or her opponent in the Republican primary, 49-year-old Cynthia Scaturico, will face off in November against Democrat incumbent Shelley Simonds. Over in Norfolk, Jane Watson, 73, voted on the way to the tax office. Watson said she's been frustrated at the fallout from the presidential election, but also acknowledging that she didn't cast a vote in the race, she said that this time, she wants to 'do the right thing.' As a retired home health care worker and a widow, Watson said her biggest concerns are the potential cuts to social security, Medicare and Medicaid. 'I'm always going to be alert to (what's being done to public health programs) until the end of my time here because that's my source of support,' Watson said. 'I won't know (if anything will change for the better) because I'm not a genie but all I can do is keep hoping and praying.'
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
757 Votes: The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press 2025 primary election guide
Virginia's primary elections are June 17. But early voting begins May 2. Primaries for Democrats and Republicans will be held in several races for both statewide races and local elections in Hampton Roads. The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press voter guide — 757 Votes — explains what primary races are on the ballot and who is running for office. The 2025 primary election guide contains Q&As with candidates running in contested races for statewide office like lieutenant governor and attorney general, several House of Delegates seats, and local constitutional officers like sheriffs, commonwealth's attorneys, and treasurers. Only races with contested primaries are included in the primary election guide. Information about candidates running the general election will be published at a later time. The guide will be updated throughout election season with additional reporting on races and candidates. Early voting for the Virginia general election begins Friday, May 2 and runs through Saturday, June 14. Voters can cast ballots in person at their local registrar's office or vote by mail. Click on each race to learn more about the candidates. Governor: The gubernatorial race does not have a contested primary. Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle Sears will face off in the general election. Lieutenant Governor: This race has only a Democratic primary. The winner will face Republican nominee John Reid. Democratic primary: Alex Bastani, Ghazala Hashmi, Babur Lateef, Aaron Rouse, Victor Salgado, Levar Stoney Attorney General: This race has only a Democratic primary. The winner will face Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in the general election. Democratic primary: Jay Jones, Shannon Taylor ___ District 70 Republican primary: Hailey Dollar, Cynthia Scaturico The winner will face Democrat incumbent Shelly Simonds in the general election. District 89 Democratic primary: Blaizen Buckshot Bloom, Karen 'Kacey' Carnegie Republican primary: Mike Lamonea, Kristen Shannon District 97 Republican primary: Tim Anderson, Christina Felder The winner will face Democrat incumbent Michael Feggans in the general election. ___ Chesapeake Sheriff, Republican primary: Wallace Chadwick, David Rosado Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney, Democratic primary: Howard Gwynn, Shannon Jones Treasurer, Democratic primary: Sanu Dieng-Cooper, Derek Reason Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney, Democratic primary: John F. Butler, Ramin Fatehi
