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Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger Announces Del. Mark Sickles as Her Secretary of Finance Appointment

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lowkell
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See below for the latest announcement by Governor-elect Spanberger for her Cabinet; in this case, Del. Mark Sickles to be Secretary of Finance. No question, Sickles knows his sh** when it comes to finance: just for starters, he’s “current chair of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), serves on the Major Employment Investment (MEI) Commission, the Joint Commission on Health Care, and on the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Revenue Estimates (GACRE).” Also, as Spanberger says, “As the Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Delegate Sickles has years of experience working with both Democrats and Republicans to pass commonsense budgets that have offered tax relief for families and helped Virginia’s economy grow.” Unfortunately, Sickles will NEED all that experience and knowledge to deal with what are likely to be *extremely* challenging times for Virginia economically, fiscally, etc. the next few years, thanks to the Trump administration’s disastrous policies for the country in general and for Virginia specifically. So let’s all wish Mark Sickles good luck in his new job…we’re all going to need it!

P.S. Per Sickles’ Wikipedia entry: “As an openly gay man, Sickles is the second LGBT person elected to the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia General Assembly (after Adam Ebbin). Sickles is one of five openly LGBT people serving in the Virginia General Assembly (alongside Adam Ebbin, Mark Levine, Dawn Adams, and Danica Roem).” [Note: pretty sure Sickles’ Wikipedia page needs to be updated, as it missed a few others; also, Dawn Adams and Mark Levine are no longer in the General Assembly]

P.P.S. This appointment will set up yet ANOTHER special election, this time in HD17 (southern Fairfax County; 70% Kamala Harris district), probably on 1/20/26.  I’m hearing likely Democratic candidates so far include “Carla Bustillos, Tammy Kaufax maybe, Garrett McGuire, and…[Former Fairfax County chemistry teacher and Moms Demand Action Fairfax County chapter leader] Joy McManus” (update: also Russell Brooks and Nelson Aguilar)

P.P.P.S. Sickles also works for Moran Global Strategies, which among other things lobbies for Qatar. That’s a whole topic unto itself, of course, including articles like this one.

Governor-Elect Spanberger Announces Secretary of Finance Appointment

Governor-Elect Spanberger: “Delegate Sickles Will Be a Key Partner in Advancing My Administration’s Work to Lower Costs for Families and Make Sure Virginia Has the Strong Financial Footing to Succeed for Decades to Come”
**CLICK HERE for Downloadable Headshot**

RICHMOND, Va. — Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger today announced the appointment of Delegate Mark D. Sickles to serve as Virginia’s next Secretary of Finance.

“The Secretary of Finance plays an essential role in guaranteeing Virginia’s long-term economic strength, safeguarding taxpayer dollars, and addressing the challenges facing Virginia communities,” said Spanberger. “As the Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Delegate Sickles has years of experience working with both Democrats and Republicans to pass commonsense budgets that have offered tax relief for families and helped Virginia’s economy grow. He not only has the deep knowledge required to successfully manage our Commonwealth’s finances, but shares my commitment to fiscal responsibility and ensuring Virginians’ tax dollars are put to the best possible use. I know Delegate Sickles will be a key partner in advancing my administration’s work to lower costs for families and make sure Virginia has the strong financial footing to succeed for decades to come.”

“I look forward to assisting Governor Spanberger as she works to make life in Virginia more affordable. We simply must achieve results for our families, young people, and seniors by building a budget that reflects our values and reduces the cost of living,” said Delegate Sickles. “We need to make sure every tax dollar is employed to its greatest effect for hard-working Virginians to keep tuition low, to build more affordable housing, to ensure teachers are properly rewarded for their work, and to make quality healthcare available and affordable for everyone. The Finance Secretariat must be a team player in helping Virginia’s government to perform to its greatest potential.”

BIOGRAPHY

Delegate Mark D. Sickles, Secretary of Finance

Delegate Mark Sickles is wrapping up his 22nd year in Virginia’s House representing part of South Fairfax County. He is known for working collaboratively to get difficult tasks accomplished in a bipartisan manner. Since 2004, Delegate Sickles has served on, and chaired, the House Health and Human Services Committee. In 2014, Speaker Bill Howell appointed him to the Appropriations Committee, where he currently chairs the Health and Human Resources Subcommittee. In 2018, Speaker Kirk Cox appointed him to the House-Senate budget conference committee. He has been reappointed to represent the House budget position in these negotiations by Speakers Filler-Corn, Gilbert, and Scott in each year since.

Delegate Sickles is the current chair of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), serves on the Major Employment Investment (MEI) Commission, the Joint Commission on Health Care, and on the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Revenue Estimates (GACRE). After regaining the majority in 2023, Speaker Scott appointed Delegate Sickles to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) and to the Select Committee on Advancing Rural and Small Town Health Care. Finally, he also serves on the Rules Committee and the Privileges and Elections Committee.

Delegate Sickles has successfully shepherded through the General Assembly significant healthcare advances, including the transition away from Healthcare.gov to the Virginia Health Insurance Exchange, popular election administrative reforms, Virginia’s sports betting statute, and the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority. He has championed investments in libraries, endangered species protection and recovery, and various bioscience initiatives across the Commonwealth. He is the patron of the pending constitutional amendment to protect marriage equality for LGBTQ Virginians.

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Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Scott Surovell Releases Statement on the Appointment of Del. Mark D. Sickles as Secretary of Finance

Mount Vernon, VA — Majority Leader, Sen. Scott A. Surovell released the following statement on the appointment of Del. Mark D. Sickles to serve in Governor- Elect Abigail Spanberger’s cabinet as Secretary of Finance:

“I have had the privilege of serving in the General Assembly alongside Delegate Mark Sickles for the past 17 years. Throughout his distinguished tenure, Mark has been an extraordinarily dedicated public servant to the people of the Franconia area in Eastern Fairfax County.

Delegate Sickles has been a passionate and effective advocate for Medicaid expansion, health care access, public transit, and the priorities of Northern Virginia. His leadership and commitment to these critical issues have made a lasting impact on our Commonwealth.

While Mark will be missed in the House of Delegates, the Commonwealth of Virginia will be incredibly well served by having someone so accomplished step into the role of Secretary of Finance. Governor- Elect Spanberger has made an excellent choice. Mark’s experience as Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee has given him an unparalleled understanding of our state’s fiscal landscape, and I am confident he will excel in this new capacity.

I congratulate Mark on this well-deserved appointment and look forward to working with him in his new role.”

Call to Caucus info

Franconia’s HD-17 Delegate has been appointed as Virginia’s next Secretary of Finance. A firehouse primary will be conducted to select the Democratic nominee this Sun. Dec. 28th.

Voters in HD-17 may vote online or at any of the three locations in the district.

Use this link to find more info about voting online or in-person & the candidates: https://www.fairfaxdemocrats.org/hd17/


Carla Bustillos earns the support of Clean Virginia — A Champion for Clean Energy, Good Government, and Virginia Families

Fairfax County V.A. — Clean Virginia, the organization dedicated to advancing clean government and a clean energy future by fighting utility monopoly influence in Virginia politics, proudly announces its support of Carla Bustillos for State Delegate in House District 17.

Clean Virginia supports candidates who stand up to utility monopoly influence, prioritize clean and affordable energy, and work toward a government that serves all Virginians — not corporate interests.

As a candidate for Delegate, Carla Bustillos has pledged to:

  • Stand up to utility monopoly influence that has historically hindered competition and kept energy costs high.
  • Fight for clean, affordable energy solutions that protect the environment while easing the burden on Virginia families.
  • Champion good government reforms that increase transparency and accountability in Richmond.
  • Prioritize policies that advance economic opportunity and environmental health for all District 17 residents.

“I’m honored to earn Clean Virginia’s support and look forward to partnering with them to protect our environment, lower energy costs, and ensure that the government works for everyone.”

Clean Virginia’s support signals strong and significant confidence in Bustillos’ ability to deliver results both in the community and in Richmond, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with voters who want common-sense, clean energy leadership.

About Clean Virginia

Clean Virginia works to advance clean government and clean energy by fighting utility monopoly corruption in Virginia politics. The organization supports candidates who are committed to a clean, affordable energy future and a government that works for all Virginians.

About Carla

Carla Bustillos, a Fairfax County mom, business owner, and local startup investor with a local history of democratic activism. Her campaign is focused on supporting working families, strengthening small businesses, protecting federal workers, and delivering practical solutions for Northern Virginia. Learn more at https://www.carlabustillos.com/

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SENATE MAJORITY LEADER SCOTT SUROVELL ENDORSES JOY MCMANUS FOR VIRGINIA HOUSE DISTRICT 17

I am proud to endorse Joy McManus for the Virginia House of Delegates, 17th District.

As Senate Majority Leader, I need partners in the House of Delegates who I can work with to deliver results for Virginians. Joy McManus is exactly that partner.

Joy has distinguished herself through 36 years of dedicated service to our community as an educator, including 30 years as a chemistry teacher at Mount Vernon High School in Fairfax County Public Schools. She has spent more than three decades living in Island Creek and Tartan Village, raising her family and serving her neighbors.

I have known Joy through her tireless advocacy work as the former co-lead of the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action. During my time representing Eastern Fairfax County in the State Senate, Joy lobbied me numerous times on critical public safety legislation. She has proven herself to be a passionate, informed, and effective advocate who knows how to build coalitions and get things done.

This year, as we work to ban AR-15s and other assault weapons, enact safe storage rules, establish firearm manufacturer liability, and implement enhanced background check laws, I need experienced partners in the House who understand firearm violence prevention. Joy has that expertise and the commitment to see these lifesaving measures through.

We are also working to pass four critical constitutional amendments this year: first, to enshrine Roe v. Wade and the right to contraception in our constitution; second, to remove Jim Crow from our constitution and guarantee everyone the right to vote; third, to continue Delegate Sickles’ work by repealing our ban on gay marriage and implementing a right to marry; and fourth, to give ourselves the authority to fight back against Trump and other Republican states who are trying to steal Congress from us for the remainder of this decade. I need somebody who I know will fight hard with me for those fundamental rights and protections.

Joy is also dedicated to fully funding our public schools, especially our schools in Eastern Fairfax County. As someone who spent three decades in the classroom, she understands firsthand what our teachers and students need to succeed.

Joy has served as Vice Chair for Membership on the Fairfax County Democratic Committee and was a statewide volunteer coordinator for Governor-elect Spanberger’s campaign. She understands what it takes to organize communities and fight for their priorities.

Joy has earned the support of leaders across our community, including Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk, who I have worked with to represent these communities for the last six years, and former Fairfax County School Board member Tammy Derenak Kaufax, who served our community for 12 years.

The people of the 17th District—including the communities of Huntington, Franconia, Kingstowne, and Springfield—deserve a delegate who will champion fully funded public schools, safe communities, affordable housing, and accessible healthcare. Joy McManus has the experience, the dedication, and the proven track record to deliver on these priorities in Richmond.

I wholeheartedly support Joy McManus for Delegate and look forward to working with her in the General Assembly.

Tuesday News: “‘Incredibly reckless’: Trump’s wind halt stuns even some allies”; “Trump Is Naming a New Class of Navy Battleships After Himself”; “J. D. Vance Cozies Up to Anti-Semitism”; “CBS Frantically Tries to Stop People From Seeing Censored ‘60 Minutes’”

By
lowkell
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by Lowell

Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Tuesday, December 23.

Gov.-Elect Abigail Spanberger Announces Retired U.S. Army Major General Timothy P. Williams as Virginia’s New Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs

By
Blue Virginia
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From Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger:

Governor-Elect Spanberger Announces Veterans & Defense Affairs Appointment

Governor-Elect Spanberger: Maj. Gen. Williams’ “Decades of Experience at Every Level of the Military and Extensive Career Supporting Veterans Across the Country will be a Great Benefit to Our Veterans & Servicemembers”

**CLICK HERE for Downloadable Headshot**

RICHMOND, Va. — Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger today announced the appointment of U.S. Army Major General Timothy P. Williams (Ret.) to serve as Virginia’s next Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs.

Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams served under three different governors as the Adjutant General of Virginia for nine years and retired in 2023 after 38 years in the U.S. Army.

“With Virginia having one of the largest Veteran populations in the United States, we must have steady, experienced leadership focused on the health, education, and employment of our neighbors who have served our country and our Commonwealth,” said Spanberger. “During my time in Congress, I had the honor of seeing Major General Williams’ commitment to his fellow Virginians firsthand as we worked together to support Virginia’s National Guard members. That’s why I’m proud to announce him as Virginia’s next Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs. I know his decades of experience at every level of the military and extensive career supporting Veterans across the country will be a great benefit to Virginia’s Veterans and servicemembers — including those transitioning out of active duty.”

“I am humbled by Governor-elect Spanberger asking me to serve as the Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, and it would be an absolute honor to continue to serve and support my fellow Virginians, especially the more than 600,000 Veterans who call Virginia home. I look forward to working with Governor-elect Spanberger and the Virginia Department of Veterans Services to make sure those Veterans receive the benefits, care and services they earned,” said Maj. Gen. Williams. “I share Governor-elect Spanberger’s focus on making sure Virginia communities have the resources they need to keep their citizens safe, so we will make sure the Virginia National Guard is always ready and always there to rapidly respond as part of Virginia’s multi-agency team to provide capabilities when Virginians are impacted by severe weather or a security threat. We will work together to protect Virginia’s current military infrastructure which is so vital to the security of not just the Commonwealth, but the entire country.”

BIOGRAPHY

Retired U.S. Army Major General Timothy P. Williams, Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs

Retired U.S. Army Major General Timothy P. Williams served under three different governors as the Adjutant General of Virginia for nine years and retired in 2023 after 38 years in the U.S. Army. As the Adjutant General, he was agency head for the Virginia Department of Military Affairs, the state agency providing leadership and administrative support to the Virginia Army National Guard, Virginia Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force.

Williams led the VA National Guard through an unprecedented operational tempo that included the organization’s support to Virginia’s COVID-19 response lasting more than 460 days where they assisted with vaccinations, testing and administrative, logistics and planning support at locations across the state to help keep their fellow Virginians safe during the global pandemic. VA National Guard personnel quickly deployed to assist civilian law enforcement with the January 6 civil disturbance response in Washington, D.C. and stayed to support security operations at the 59th Presidential Inauguration. During Williams’ last two years as Adjutant General, more than 2,000 Virginia National Guard personnel mobilized on federal active duty in the United States and overseas, the third most in the last century.

Since his retirement in 2023, Williams has been the advisor to the Chief of National Guard Bureau (NGB) on Intergovernmental Affairs where he supported the development of policies and legislative agenda that was coordinated across the NGB Joint Staff, Directors of the Army and Air National Guard as well as the 54 Adjutants General and their respective states, territories and the District of Columbia.

Williams, a lifelong Virginian and a 1984 graduate of Virginia Tech, earned his commission as a field artillery officer. He has served at every level of the military beginning with a tour on active duty with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and then transitioning to the Virginia Army National Guard in 1990. Williams served much of his military career as a traditional status National Guard Soldier and he also built a career as a federal civil servant culminating as the Director of Training Support and Doctrine at the Combined Arms Support Command at Fort Lee, Virginia.

He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Management Science from Virginia Tech and has a Master of Arts in Management from Webster University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Most importantly, General Williams has been married to his college sweetheart, Cheryl, for 39 years. They have three wonderful children as well as two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, and three grandchildren.

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Monday News: “The Biggest Threat to the 2026 Economy Is Still Donald Trump”; “The Pitiful Childishness of Donald Trump”; “Vance refuses to set red lines over bigotry as conservatives feud at Turning Point”; “CBS Boss Censored ‘60 Minutes’ for Not Interviewing Miller”

By
lowkell
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0

by Lowell

Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Monday, December 22.

Video: Sen. Tim Kaine on “Meet the Press” Says DoJ Not Complying with the Law on Release of ALL the Epstein Files, But Argues “I think [impeachment/contempt for DoJ officials is] premature”

By
lowkell
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See below for video and highlights from Sen. Tim Kaine’s appearance this morning on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

  • “I wish I could say yes [that I believe DoJ is complying with the law] but I don’t…let’s just review. Jeffrey Epstein was a monster who trafficked underaged women. Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein knew one another pretty well. The circumstances of that friendship and how it broke up are disputed, but they knew each other. When Donald Trump was president, he put into his Cabinet the prosecutor who cut the sweetheart deal with Jeffrey Epstein back during the Bush Administration. He put Alex Acosta in his Cabinet; Acosta later had to resign in disgrace. As a candidate, Donald Trump said he would release the Epstein files. As president, now in February of 2025, he said we’re going to release the files, and he had this much touted event with Pam Bondi at the White House talking about releasing the files. But then in…July the FBI and DoJ said there’s nothing to see here, we’re not going to release any more files. The statute that we’re now talking about was not something that the White House wanted. It was something that a bipartisan Congress did to force Donald Trump’s hand, to force him to meet his promises. And so in September, we passed this Transparency Act forcing the DoJ kicking and screaming, they didn’t want to do it, to release files. So when they actually do release files and it’s a fraction of what’s available and it’s heavily redacted and a day later they pull material back, the facts that I just laid out for you show why so many people are really suspicious. All these files need to come out.”
  • “I think that’s [impeachment/contempt for DoJ officials] premature. Here’s a recent example. The Pentagon was dragging their feet on not releasing files about the Venezuelan boat strikes, and so we put into the defense bill a requirement that they’re either going to release or the travel budget for the Secretary of Defense is going to be reduced. We have tools in appropriations bills and other tools to force compliance if someone is dragging their feet. And I’d rather focus on those tools than get into discussions about contempt and impeachment.”
  • “I actually haven’t tracked what President Clinton has said, and if there are unanswered questions, he should address them, and I suspect he will. But let’s just make sure that we meet the promise that President Trump made as a candidate that all these files will be released. Let’s put all of the facts and all of the material out on the table and then folks can reach their own judgments about anybody connected with this horrible, horrible case. I led the effort to try to deny Secretary of Labor Acosta confirmation in the first Trump administration because of his involvement in this sweetheart deal, which even knowing a fraction of the facts back then in 2017, it looked horrible. And he eventually had resign in disgrace because of it. And since then, the public has had legitimate questions – and everything since, including Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide – legitimate questions, let’s get it all out on the table.”
  • “No [to whether we should we be pursuing regime change in Venezuela]. We should be using sanctions and other tools at our disposal to punish this dictator [Venezuelan dictator Maduro], who is violating the human rights of his civilians and has run the Venezuelan economy into the ground. But I’ll tell you, we should not be waging war against Venezuela. We definitely should not be waging war without a vote of Congress. As you know, i’ve long maintained we shouldn’t be at war without a vote of Congress. And what I’m searching for right now…is what is President Trump’s motivation? These boat strikes were initially justified on the ground that we’re fighting against narcotrafficking. But then the president pardoned some of the biggest narcotraffickers ever convicted in United States courts. What’s going on? Then Susie Wiles, the Chief of Staff, says it’s about regime change, that’s what this is about. And then President Trump tells you and others, it’s about oil – they took our oil and we want our oil back. What is it? This is so confusing. And meanwhile, the American public is watching the news of this week – Venezuela, the Kennedy Center renaming, the Epstein situation. And they’re saying, Mr. President, please focus on bringing food costs down, health care costs down, energy costs down. Christmas is too expensive. We don’t know why you’re doing this in Venezuela and we want you to focus on making life better here at home for Americans.”

Sunday News: “US seizes another vessel off Venezuela”; “Anger grows about redactions, apparent removal of Epstein files from DoJ website”; “The year Trump broke the federal government”; Youngkin Absolutely Did NOT Live “up to ‘education governor’ title”

By
lowkell
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0

by Lowell

Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Sunday, December 21.

Video: Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA11) Says “It’s enormously frustrating,” as “the law is clear…the full files were supposed to be released [yesterday] and the Trump administration is not in compliance with that law”

By
lowkell
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See below for video and highlights from Rep. James Walkinshaw yesterday speaking with Kristin Welker of NBC about the Epstein files partial/redacted/insufficient release.

  • “It’s enormously frustrating that the law is clear. The files in full were supposed to be released today and the Trump administration is not in compliance with that law. So that’s very frustrating…the law is clear that the files in full are supposed to have been released today. If the Department of Justice felt like they weren’t on track to meet that legal deadline, they should have communicated that to Congress days or weeks ago. They’ve had 30 days to redact what need to be redacted from the files and release them in full to to the public. So, they have not followed the law. We’re going to explore all of our legal options to make sure that the complete files with obviously information related to victims and survivors redacted comes to light.”
  • “…it’s important to remember President Trump has done everything in his power to block these files from being released. He tried to browbeat Republican members of Congress to remove their name from the discharge petition. He was actively lobbying against the discharge petition and the vote before it was held until he realized that he was going to lose. So he’s tried everything in his power to block it. And in Congress, in a rare instance, in this particular Congress, stood up to him and said, ‘the American people want to see these files, the American people deserve transparency, and the survivors especially deserve accountability for those involved in the crimes committed.”
  • “…yes, at a minimum, they need to come before the country and Congress and explain why they haven’t released the full files today and lay out the timeline moving forward – I hope a rapid timeline for the American people to get the transparency that they want here.”
  • “I think for me and and I think for most people across the country, we want to know who, if anyone who maybe hasn’t been yet implicated, was involved in Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. Who were the accompllices who helped him to commit these crimes? Who perhaps knew that these crimes were taking place and didn’t go to the authorities at the time? I think those are all really, really important questions. But this is a story of, you know, rich and powerful men abusing, raping and abusing young girls and women. And we need to get the full truth. Everyone who knew about it, everyone who was involved, everyone who might have helped it happen.”

UPDATE 12/20: Also, here’s Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA10), who says DoJ is “absolutely in violation of the law…there’s no excuse for this.”

Saturday News: DoJ “releases heavily redacted cache of Jeffrey Epstein files”; In Speech Supposedly on Affordability, “Trump Complains the FBI Made a Mess of Melania’s ‘Panties’”; “UVa’s board chose speed over legitimacy. Predictable crisis to follow”; “Sunshine is free. Don’t let Dominion try to block the sun”

By
lowkell
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by Lowell

Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Saturday, December 20.

UVA’s Republican-Controlled Board Votes to Appoint New President Weeks Before Abigail Spanberger Is Sworn In

By
lowkell
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See below for reactions to this breaking news (also, see here for UVA’s press release/pre-holiday and pre-weekend news dump; pathetic!):

“The University of Virginia’s Republican-controlled board voted Friday to appoint a new president weeks before a Democratic governor assumes power, a move that comes six months after the campus was rocked when its previous president resigned under pressure from the Trump administration.

The board appointed Scott C. Beardsley, the longtime dean of the university’s Darden School of Business, at a time when the leadership of Virginia’s flagship public university has become a political issue.”

Here’s a statement by LG-elect Ghazala Hashmi, who says that “Youngkin’s decision to advance the appointment of a new president at the University of Virginia in the waning days of his administration, just as Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger prepares to assume office, raises serious concerns about process, institutional norms, and respect for a democratic transition.”

Lieutenant Governor-elect Ghazala Hashmi Responds to Youngkin’s UVA Board of Visitors Naming New University President

RICHMOND, VA – Lieutenant Governor-elect Ghazala Hashmi (D-Virginia), released the following statement in response to the Youngkin-majority University of Virginia Board of Visitors naming a new university president in the final days of his administration:

“Governor Youngkin’s decision to advance the appointment of a new president at the University of Virginia in the waning days of his administration, just as Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger prepares to assume office, raises serious concerns about process, institutional norms, and respect for a democratic transition.

“The presidency of the University of Virginia is among the most consequential leadership roles in public higher education, both in Virginia and across the country. This position shapes the academic mission, research priorities, faculty governance, and the university’s relationship with the Commonwealth for years to come. Decisions of this magnitude require deliberation, transparency, and meaningful engagement with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the broader university community. Rushing such an appointment at the end of an outgoing administration risks undermining shared governance and eroding confidence in the independence of the institution.

“These concerns are compounded by the fact that the University’s Board of Visitors is not fully constituted. A board that is incomplete, particularly during a transition between administrations, cannot credibly claim the full authority or legitimacy required to appoint a president whose tenure will extend well beyond the current governor’s term. Proceeding under these circumstances weakens the integrity of the process and invites questions about whether political expediency is being placed ahead of sound governance.

“As an educator and longtime advocate for Virginia’s public colleges and universities, I know that leadership decisions of this scale must be guided by academic values, institutional stability, and public trust, and not by political timing or calculus. In November, in large numbers, Virginians voted for a new direction; honoring the voices of voters includes allowing the incoming administration, in partnership with a fully constituted Board of Visitors, to participate meaningfully in selecting long-term leadership.

“The appropriate next step is to fully pause the presidential appointment process until the new administration is in place and the Board of Visitors is appropriately constituted. At that point, the University should undertake an open, inclusive search that is grounded in shared governance and informed by broad campus and public input. Such steps will help to ensure that the next president is chosen through a process that is transparent, legitimate, and worthy of the University of Virginia’s stature and mission.”

I’ll add more statements as I see them…

  • VA Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell asks, “Does anyone remember Baghdad Bob?”

“Scott Beardsley, you will quickly learn about the separation of powers between branches and what happens when one branch gives a middle finger to another that funds, regulates and allows their existence. Buckle up.” – Sen. Louise Lucas

“We’ll see about that. The UVA Board of Visitors is not fully constituted. The Senate, and as Chair of our Privileges and Elections Committee, we have clear oversight over UVA’s Board of Visitors, and we intend to exercise it this upcoming session.” – VA State Sen. Aaron Rouse

Fmr. Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA05): “Naming a new president of the University of Virginia should have been a cause for celebration and a cause for unity across the university and Charlottesville community. Instead, the Board of Visitors chose at every turn to do exactly the wrong thing, to make everything political, and now to expect Virginia taxpayers to pick up the bill for all of the legal fees they’re incurring. And they haven’t even set up their own candidate to have any chance of success because of the botched process. We need Governor-elect Spanberger to constitute a full Board as soon as possible to expand the search so that the next president, whoever that is, has a chance to succeed so that we can all celebrate this next chapter of this great university both as an institute of higher learning and as the largest employer here in the region. Let’s do the right thing.”

Friday News: “EU agrees €90bn loan for Ukraine”; “Lies, Damned Lies and Trump Speeches”; “JFK’s family erupts over ‘Trump-Kennedy Center’ renaming plan”; Sen. Kaine Rips “pathetic display from a sundowning president”; Brown U. Shooting Suspect Dead From Self-Inflicted Gunshot

By
lowkell
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0

by Lowell

Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Friday, December 19.

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