Great news from the VA Senate Democratic Caucus:
Judge Sides with Virginia Democrats, Rules Youngkin’s Appointees Cannot Serve on Public College Boards
FAIRFAX, V.A. — Today, a Fairfax Circuit Court judge issued a preliminary injunction halting Governor Glenn Youngkin’s appointees from continuing to serve on the Board of Visitors at the University of Virginia, the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), and George Mason University.
The court ruling temporarily bars the appointees from taking any further action until the Virginia General Assembly confirms them- as required by the law. Attorney General Jason Miyares indicated in court last Friday that he plans to appeal this decision by Wednesday morning.
Senate Democratic Leaders issued the following statements in response:
Senator Aaron Rouse, Chair of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee said, “As Chair of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee, I take my responsibilities very seriously. Especially when it comes to protecting the integrity of our institutions and safeguarding our universities from partisan overreach. Today, the court affirmed what we have maintained all along. The Senate of Virginia has the constitutional authority to confirm or reject board nominees, and that authority cannot be bypassed. The ruling is a victory for the rule of law and the people of Virginia. We will use every tool available to fight back against the attacks on our university system. We will continue to stand up for transparency, accountability, and the democratic process for Virginia, students, educators, and families.”
“I’ve spent several years working in higher education, as a professor and administrator”, said Senator Mamie E. Locke, Chair of the Senate High Education Subcommittee. She continues, “This decision is a win for democracy in the Commonwealth. Governor Youngkin’s attempt to hijack our public universities for political gain is not just unacceptable, it’s unconstitutional. Virginia’s colleges and universities do not belong to Glenn Youngkin. They do not belong to Donald Trump. They do not belong to their extremist allies. They belong to the people of this Commonwealth, and we’re grateful the court affirmed that today.”
Senator L. Louise Lucas, Senate President Pro Tempore said “The Trump-Youngkin administration launched another blatant partisan power grab, this time targeting some of the top universities in the country, right here in Virginia. Once again, they tried to break the law in their attempt to force our progressive university leaders to bow to their will but, today they failed. The Code of Virginia makes it crystal clear that appointees to Virginia’s public colleges and universities are under the constitutional authority of the General Assembly. Therefore, we are prepared to fight them every step of the way because the stakes are too high for students across the Commonwealth. This isn’t just about who sits on a board. It’s about whether the future of Virginia’s colleges and universities will be guided by educators and experts, or hijacked by Trump, Youngkin, and their MAGA allies.”
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Senate Chair of Privileges and Elections Committee Aaron Rouse’s Statement on Court Decision Upholding Senate Authority Over University Boards
“As Chair of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee, Senator Aaron Rouse emphasizes the court’s affirmation of Senate’s authority, pledges to use every tool available to protect public universities from partisan overreach and uphold the rule of law in higher education governance.”
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| VIRGINIA BEACH — Today, Senator Aaron Rouse released the following statement on Judge Jonathan Frieden’s decision upholding the Senate’s authority over university boards:
“As Chair of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee, I take my responsibilities very seriously, especially when it comes to protecting the integrity of our institutions and safeguarding our universities from partisan overreach.
Today, the court affirmed what we have maintained all along: that the Virginia Senate has the constitutional authority to confirm or reject Board nominees, and that authority cannot be bypassed. The court found that the eight contested nominees were indeed rejected by the General Assembly and, as such, cannot continue to serve.
This ruling is a victory for the rule of law, for the Senate’s constitutional role, and for the people of Virginia. It also sends a clear message that attempts to impose political control over our public universities, whether from Richmond or Washington, will not go unchecked.
We will use every tool available to fight back against attacks on our university system. We will continue to stand up for transparency, accountability, and the democratic process because Virginia’s students, educators, and families deserve nothing less.”
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Hashmi Statement on Court Ruling that Youngkin’s Appointees Cannot Serve on Public College Boards if Not Confirmed by the Virginia Senate Committee
Richmond — Today, Virginia Senator Ghazala Hashmi (D-SD15), Chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee and Democratic nominee for Virginia Lieutenant Governor, released the following statement on the Fairfax Circuit Court’s issuance of a preliminary injunction halting Governor Glenn Youngkin’s appointees from continuing to serve on the Board of Visitors at the University of Virginia, the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), and George Mason University:
“Today’s ruling by the Fairfax Circuit Court is a critical affirmation of transparency, accountability, and the democratic principles that guide our public institutions. As a former college professor, I strongly support the court’s decision, which reinforces the duty of Virginia’s university boards to operate with integrity and within the bounds of the law.
“As Chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee, I have long championed the public’s right to be informed and involved in decisions impacting our education system. This ruling makes clear that Boards of Visitors must honor both the law and the public trust. Virginia’s Democratic leadership has stood firm in defense of these values.
“Shared governance and accountability are foundational to higher education. We entrust our Boards with public funds, student welfare, and the academic standards of our institutions. Any attempt to bypass that responsibility through opaque or exclusionary practices erodes public confidence and harms our universities’ missions.
“I commend the Court for upholding these principles. Our public institutions must always act in service of the people they represent: with fairness, openness, and a commitment to the public good.”
Virginia NAACP Supports Judicial Ruling Upholding Constitutional Integrity Against Political Overreach
Richmond, Virginia –The NAACP Virginia State Conference stands firmly in support of the recent ruling by Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Jonathan Frieden, which upholds the clear constitutional framework regarding gubernatorial appointees.
Virginia NAACP President Rev. Cozy Bailey issued the following statement:
“The integrity of our college institutions must be maintained, and every voice must be respected. It is unfortunate that Governor Youngkin and Attorney General Miyares have chosen to disregard these established rules, instead opting to pursue their own agenda. Furthermore, the decision by Attorney General Miyares to challenge this ruling in the Supreme Court represents a misallocation of taxpayer dollars and undermines the democratic process. This ruling is a victory for the rule of law and for the rights of the people of Virginia.”
The NAACP Virginia State Conference will continue its advocacy to protect the rights of all Virginians.
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