Virginia Politics Blog

Updated: State Board certifies Villanueva winner

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:44:14 -0500

The Virginia State Board of Elections certified Republican Ron Villanueva the winner in a House of Delegates seat in Virginia Beach at a lengthy meeting this afternoon in Richmond. Villanueva, a Virginia Beach City councilman, defeated Democratic Del. Bobby Mathieson by 14 votes out of more than 15,000 cast. It was the closest election in the state this year. Mark Henson, Mathieson's campaign manager, said he will ask for a recount. Mathieson has 10 days to ask for a state-funded recount, which he is entitled to because he lost by less than one half of one percent. Republicans picked up six House seats and now have a hefty advantage in the chamber. They hold 61 seats, including two independents who caucus with the GOP, to the Democrats' 39 seats Update: Mathieson's campaign sent out the following statement: "Bobby will continue to fight to ensure every single legally cast ballot gets

Deeds sits out Senate Democratic caucus

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:05:38 -0500

When the 21-member Democratic caucus of the Virginia Senate met Friday and Saturday for a two-day retreat to strategize for this January's legislative session, one member was not among them: Sen. Creigh Deeds. We're hearing that the former Democratic gubernatorial nominee did not make the trek to Portsmouth from Bath for the meeting. Which might have made it a bit less awkward for other members of the group to talk through why Deeds was defeated by Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell by almost 18 points. Deeds failed to excite black voters, we're told one senator suggested. Deeds failed to excite white ones either, another senator responded.

Republican PAC asks Marsden to resign House seat

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:30:38 -0500

Republicans are calling on Del. Dave Marsden (D-Fairfax) to resign from the House of Delegates as he runs in a special election for the state Senate seat being vacated by Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli. OurVirginiaNow, a new state political action committee that aims to help Republican candidates get elected across the state, is encouraging district residents to contact Marsden and ask him to resign. "I think Marsden ought to resign his House seat immediately,'' said Paul Miller, president of OurVirginiaNow. "He owes us that. He was elected to produce results for his constituents, not continue to seek other elected positions he may deem more attractive for his career." If Marsden wins the Jan. 12 election, the governor would have to call a special election to fill his House seat, which would leave the 41st District without representation for some time when the General Assembly reconvenes Jan. 13. OurVirginiaNow also complains

Updated: Kaine, McDonnell meet with economic advisers

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:32:05 -0500

Gov. Tim Kaine (D) is meeting with his economic advisers behind closed doors this morning to review the state's revenue estimates as he continues to write the state's next budget. Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell (R) and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) are also attending the packed meeting on Capitol Square. This afternoon, Kaine and McDonnell will meet privately -- their first in-person meeting since McDonnell defeated Democrat Creigh Deeds on Nov. 3. State officials learned last week that they may need to cut up to $2.9 billion more from core services, such as education, law enforcement and health care, by mid-2012 in response to Virginia's financial crisis. Kaine will introduce his proposed two-year budget in December, a month before he leaves office. The General Assembly and McDonnell will use that as a blueprint, but will make changes based on their priorities and the economic forecast. (And, yes, in case you were

Webb, Warner vote for health-care debate

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:00:35 -0500

Virginia Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner voted with their fellow Democrats last night to bring to the floor a bill that would overhaul the nation's health-care system. The 60 to 39 vote was on a procedural motion to begin debate, which Senate leaders hope to wrap up by Christmas. "I will only support a final bill if I am convinced it will lower the deficit, drive down health care costs over the long term, and improve the value and quality of the health care Virginians receive,'' Warner wrote in a statement released last night. The GOP's national chairman, Michael Steele, used Republican Bob McDonnell's recent landslide defeat over Democrat Ceigh Deeds to show that Americans do not want "a government-run health system." "As recent elections in Virginia and New Jersey showed, Harry Reid's health care scheme is exactly what voters do not want," Steele said. The House passed a

Candidates mingle at bloggers conference

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:56:58 -0500

Did you know there's a Republican New Media Caucus in Congress? Neither did we. But one of the group's chairmen -- Virginia's own U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman (R) -- was on hand to speak to dozens of bloggers today at the Blogs United conference at Christopher Newport University in Newport News. Also at the conference, a slew of congressional candidates, mingling with bloggers and others, as they try to kick off their 2010 campaigns: Five candidates in two of the state's hottest races turned out: Republicans Scott Rigell , Ken Golden, Scott Taylor and Ben Loyola are vying to replace U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye (D) in Hampton Roads while Michael McPadden is one of the many Republicans looking to unseat U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello (D). Also on hand: Democrats Scott Robinson and Krystal Ball looking to replace Wittman and Republican Coby Dillard running against U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D) in

Palin's book tour comes to Virginia

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:00:27 -0500

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will travel to Virginia this weekend for the seventh stop of her national tour to promote her book, Going Rogue: An American Life. Palin, the 2008 vice presidential nominee, will appear at a Barnes & Noble in Roanoke at 10 a.m. Sunday -- the first Virginia stop on the much ballyhooed tour. She's expected in Fairfax County in a couple weeks. Check out the Post stories on Palin's first two stops in Michigan and Indiana where crowds lined up early to catch a glimpse of the possible presidential hopeful and get their books signed. The Roanoke Times reports that more than 1,000 people are expected to turn out. Local Republican officials are expected to attend, but no statewide officials. And yes, that includes Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell, who distanced himself from the controversial conservative figure during his campaign.

Fimian: Game on, and Stewart is with me

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:26:43 -0500

Republican Corey A. Stewart, chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, is not running for Congress next year. We know this because Stewart and three other Prince William Republicans just announced that they are supporting Keith S. Fimian, who is preparing for a rematch against Democrat Gerald E. Connolly next year. The others are: Supervisor Mike May and delegates L. Scott Lingamfelter and Robert G. "Bob" Marshall. It's probably not a coincidence that Fimian is publicizing these endorsements today, the same week that Fairfax County Supervisor Pat S. Herrity said he is considering a run for the Republican nomination. If Herrity does get in, don't expect Fimian to step aside quietly.

McDonnell phones Senate Dems

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:01:04 -0500

Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell placed a call to the Senate Democratic Caucus today, which is holding meetings in Portsmouth in connection with the Senate finance committee retreat. McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin confirmed that McDonnell made the call this afternoon, as did Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw. "He said he hoped we could cooperate and work together," Saslaw said. "He wished us a Happy Thanksgiving. It was all very general." The Democratic-held Senate is the only piece of government in Richmond that could hold up McDonnell's agenda, given the Republicans 61-seat majority in the House of Delegates. The relationship between McDonnell and senate Democrats -- in particular their irascible leader Saslaw -- will be fascinating to watch. So far, everyone has made noises about working together in bipartisan fashion. We'll see how long that lasts.

Cox to head new McDonnell PAC

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:19:58 -0500

Quite a number of folks in Richmond have speculated that Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell's campaign manager, Phil Cox, might become chief of staff in McDonnell's administration. After all, a number of people have noted that he is very much playing the role of McDonnell's chief of staff during the transition, acting as door-keeper for McDonnell and having an important hand in the paper flow of the transition office. But no. We can confirm that Cox will not be joining the McDonnell administration but will instead become the executive director of McDonnell's new political action committee "Opportunity Virginia." Cox told our colleague Amy Gardner of his plans a few days ago. A political pro, running the PAC would allow Cox to keep his hand in McDonnell's political operation. It would also let him maintain his current residence in Northern Virginia -- chief of staff would require a move to Richmond.

Howell has no plans to fiddle with committee rules

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:38:47 -0500

Of all the many rumors flying around Richmond at the moment, here's one we can actually put to rest: House Speaker Bill Howell plans to honor current rules of proportional representation as he reorganizes House committees in the wake of the Nov. 3 election results. That means Howell will add one Republican to each committee, in line with the GOP caucus' growth from 55 to 61 members. He will not be adding two Republicans, as has been widely rumored, according to Howell chief of staff Paul Nardo. "The speaker is committed to proportional seating and will continue to abide by his commitment to fairness to all members through proportional seating in the chamber and on the committees," Nardo said.

McDonnell forms 'Opportunity Virginia' committee

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:04:21 -0500

Gov. Mark Warner had "One Virginia." Gov. Tim Kaine had "Moving Virginia Forward." Now it looks like Gov. Bob McDonnell will have "Opportunity Virginia," a committee established to advance McDonnell's political goals, including by raising money and contributing to other Republican office seekers. Via the Virginia Public Access Project comes word that the paperwork organizing the new PAC was filed with the State Board of Elections Thursday, with McDonnell's campaign office listed as the committee's address and McDonnell staffer Jane Wortham listed as treasurer. According to the form, the committee could take part in statewide, local and General Assembly elections. "Opportunity Virginia will enable the governor-elect to assist other candidates and leaders who share his positive vision for creating jobs, keeping taxes low and providing new opportunities for all citizens," McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin said.

Special election for Cuccinelli's seat set for Jan. 12

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:15:38 -0500

Gov. Tim Kaine's office reports that it has now received a copy of a letter from Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, indicating that he will resign from the state Senate on Jan. 12, in preparation for his inauguration as state attorney general Jan. 16. Kaine plans to call the special election to fill Cuccinelli's Fairfax County seat for that same day, said Kaine spokesman Gordon Hickey. Cuccinelli, meanwhile, met with the entire staff of the attorney general's office this week, telling attorneys and others in a 15-minute speech that he respects their work and looks forward to working with them. All employees of the AG's office formally work at the pleasure of the sitting attorney general. It is not yet clear how many of the office's staff Cuccinelli plans to keep on.

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Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:15:38 -0500

Marsden candidacy now official

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:16:45 -0500

Democratic Del. David Marsden has formally announced he will seek the senate seat soon-to-be vacated by the Ken Cuccinelli, who was elected attorney general Nov. 3. Democrats had made clear that they would to avoid any kind of contested nomination process. Marsden had said the party was funding a poll of several likely candidates and each contender had agreed to back the candidate that the poll indicated was most likely to be successful. He said at the time that he fully expected to be come out on top in the process, and it looks like he has done so. ""Let's face it: government is not working like it should for regular people and our small businesses. We are in the midst of a serious economic downturn and we need to focus on creating jobs, helping regular people and small businesses, and growing our economy," Marsden said in a statement announcing

Stoney out, Cranwell in

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:34:17 -0500

Despite what a lot of politicos think, Levar Stoney, former executive director of the Democratic Party of Virginia, will not be returning to the party following his stint as political director for Creigh Deeds's gubernatorial campaign. Stoney said he originally took a leave of absence in June and had every intention of returning, but changed his mind in the fall. He said he is exploring other opportunities. Party Chairman Dick Cranwell has alerted state Democrats that the party's interim leader, Leigh Anne Collier, will stay on as director. Collier had previously served as deputy executive director for finance and operations. Also not returning to the party: communications director Jared Leopold, who served as Deeds's spokesman during the general election. Speaking of Cranwell, he said today that he has every intention of staying on as chairman until his term ends in 2013, despite rumors that he may leave after a bruising