Virginia Politics & News
Virginia news from The Daily Signal, covering state politics, education policy, election integrity, and the political shift between Northern Virginia and the Commonwealth’s conservative regions.
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news
Regulators to Hold Hearings This Month on Proposed Dominion-NextEra Merger
Summary Virginians have until Thursday to provide written testimony on the State Corporation Commission website about whether they support or oppose allowing Florida-based NextEra Energy to move forward with its proposed purchase of Richmond-based Dominion Energy. More than 2,400 comments have already been submitted. NextEra is attempting to take over Dominion in an all-stock deal… -
opinion
Are We Affordable Yet?
Summary There is a real battle in the halls of power over what will be the next global health crisis that we can use to enact all the controls we learned about from COVID-19. It used to be a two-sided battle between gun violence and man-made climate change. Gun violence always seemed to be the… -
news
3 States Reject Gambling Measures Despite Record Lobbyist, Ad Spending
Summary THE WASHINGTON STAND—Amid a vast expansion in unregulated “prediction market” and sports betting platforms that has sent gambling addictions soaring in recent years, Tuesday’s midterms saw voters reject ballot measures that would have expanded gambling in three states. In Nebraska, a measure that would have legalized online sports betting via the state’s licensed racetrack… -
analysis
Iran War Was Seldom Mentioned by Virginia Republicans on the Stump
Virginia is proud to host the largest Navy base in the world. Naval Station Norfolk is home to 149,000 military-related personnel. There are 75 ships and 134 aircraft based there. Many of those sailors and pilots have been or may soon be deployed to the Persian Gulf region to take part in ongoing military actions… -
news
Wittman, Perriello Issue Concessions in Congressional Races
Two of Virginia’s congressional elections were so close on election night that the trailing candidates chose not to issue concessions. Rep. Rob Wittman, the Republican who represents the 1st District, narrowly trailed Shannon Taylor. In the 5th District, Republican incumbent John McGuire had a narrow lead over Tom Perriello when he declared victory just after… -
opinion
But Wait, There’s More: How a Popular Vote Deciding the President May Have Moved One Step Closer to Reality
A postscript to the 2026 midterms: The bodies aren’t even cold, and a conversation with the Election Transparency Initiative’s Ken Cuccinelli made all of the disparate stories come together. This, as Virginia conservatives stare at the darker blue hue that the media pundits will use to color their state boundaries with from now on, wondering… -
news
Democrats Gain 2 House Seats in Virginia, Easily Retain Senate Seat
Democrats apparently flipped two of Virginia’s 11 House seats, adding them to the nationwide blue wave. The slate featured a mix of easy-to-call races with some nail-biters, as counting stretched into the night. In the 1st District, Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor declared victory in her race against Republican 10-term incumbent Rep. Rob Wittman…. -
news
Mike Johnson Stumps in Virginia With 2 Candidates in Swing Districts
House Speaker Mike Johnson wrapped up his 2026 midterm campaign with a pair of stops in Virginia. On Monday, the Republican appeared with Rep. Rob Wittman in the 1st District and Rep. Jen Kiggans in the 2nd District. Johnson came to the commonwealth armed with a list of accomplishments he attributed to this 119th Congress…. -
opinion
Who Let the Dogs Out?
Summary In April 2016, Gov. Terry McAuliffe committed an act of populism so transparent that it was overturned by the Supreme Court of Virginia that July. He claimed that since the Virginia Constitution gave his office the role of restoring individuals’ voting rights after their sentences were completed, he could issue an executive order restoring… -
opinion
Will Virginia Become One of America’s Most Extreme Abortion States?
Summary Virginia voters have serious choices this election season. Two proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot should give all people of goodwill pause, regardless of faith or political persuasion. Ballot Question 1 would codify abortion in Virginia in the most extreme way, establishing a virtually unlimited right to abortion that would go far beyond Roe… -
news
Elaine Luria: ‘It All Starts Right Here in Virginia’s 2nd District’
Former Rep. Elaine Luria made her closing argument in her bid to once again represent Virginia’s 2nd District in Congress. The Democrat hosted House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries at a rally in Virginia Beach on Halloween afternoon, which was also the final day of early voting in the commonwealth. Unlike some races, the result in… -
news
House Speaker Will Be in Virginia as Early Voting Ends This Weekend
The next Speaker of the House of Representatives will be on stage in Virginia in the final hours before Tuesday’s election. Both Democrat Hakeem Jeffries and Republican Mike Johnson will be in Virginia Beach stumping for candidates in the state’s 2nd Congressional District. Jeffries is scheduled to appear on Saturday alongside former Rep. Elaine Luria,… -
opinion
Lies, Damned Lies, and Polls
Summary With four days to go until the end of Virginia’s 45-day election season, the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics updated its predictions made by “Sabato’s Crystal Ball,” a nickname that Larry Sabato earned in the 2002 midterm elections when he accurately predicted the outcome in 433 of the 435 contests for the House… -
news
Opponents of Constitutional Changes Plan to Pray and Fast on Election Day
Election Day will also be a day of prayer and fasting for many across Virginia, as religious opponents of changing the state’s constitution make their case that voters should reject proposed constitutional amendment Questions 1 and 2. The first amendment would enshrine the right to an abortion in the state constitution, and Ballot Question 2… -
news
Former Rep. Tom Perriello Pledges to ‘End War,’ Remove Trump’s Tariff Authority If Elected
Former Rep. Tom Perriello, a Democrat who is seeking to return to Congress to represent Virginia’s 5th Congressional District, is focusing on domestic economic issues as the campaign moves through its final week. If elected, he promises to work to roll back President Donald Trump’s agenda right away. “We’re going to bring costs down by… -
news
Out of Office but Not Off the Trail: Glenn Youngkin Stumps in Virginia’s 5th
Summary Former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin finished his term this year, but he hasn’t finished working. The Republican is hitting the campaign trail across the commonwealth to make the case for several candidates who are running in the midterms. Over the weekend, for example, he made a swing through the 5th Congressional District along with… -
opinion
When Politics Run the School
Summary News Alert! The congressional midterm election is this year. (Oh! That’s what all those ads I must watch before Instagram opens are all about!) More to come about those, but right now we need to look at why the 34 municipal school board elections in Virginia should be important to you. *A (Satirical) Editorial… -
news
‘FEARMONGERING’: Virginia AG Jay Jones Warns of ‘Armed Federal Agents’ at Polling Sites
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones sent a memo to local election officials earlier this month warning about “armed federal agents” at polling locations during the 2026 midterm elections. Jones’ office and the Virginia Department of Elections sent the 10-page memo to local election clerks alleging “intimidation and interference,” and citing “concerns about potential actions by… -
news
Rep. John McGuire Barnstorms Across Virginia’s 5th District
Rep. John McGuire, the Republican seeking reelection in Virginia’s 5th District, hit the road this weekend with campaign stops in Lynchburg, Danville, Powhatan, and Charlottesville. Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin also spoke at all four appearances. “People ask, ‘why do you work hard?’ and the answer is easy,” McGuire told an enthusiastic gathering in Charlottesville. “If… -
news
Early Voting Numbers Soar Across Virginia
More than 870,000 Virginians had cast an early ballot in the 2026 midterm elections as of two weeks before Election Day. That represents more than a quarter of the total voting turnout in 2022, the last time there was a midterm election without a presidential campaign to drive up turnout. According to the Virginia Public…