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Former VA Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) on VA05 GOP Primary: “no one is safe when unbridled political ambition meets up with extreme right-wing ideology and the demand for an unwavering commitment to Donald Trump”

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lowkell
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3

Good analysis by former Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling of the nightmarish/dystopian VA05 Republican primary, between two far-right extremists/nutjobs, christofascist Rep. Bob Good (R-VA05) and insurrectionist John McGuire. As you read Bolling’s analysis, note that he’s a very conservative Republican by almost any metric, but that he’s also someone who’s definitely not “down” with the extremist MAGA/Trump Republican Party. And Bolling definitely calls ’em as he sees ’em, unlike dishonest amoral slimeballs like Glenn Youngkin, who just says whatever he thinks will position him better for money, power, etc.

P.S. Bolling analysis is a GAZILLION times better than the falsehood-ridden drivel by CNN the other day. Same thing with former Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA05)’s analysis (also see here, in which Riggleman explains why “McGuire might be more dangerous than Bob Good” and that “McGuire [is] coming at Bob from the RIGHT”). Unlike CNN (which laughably claimed that the challenge to Good by a Trump cultist and insurrectionist is from the “center right” – wild lie!), Bolling and Riggleman actually know something about Virginia politics, and in the case of Riggleman, about VA05 specifically.

BATTLE FOR GOP NOMINATION IN 5TH DISTRICT IS ONE TO WATCH

For the past four years, Rep. Bob Good has represented Virginia’s 5th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. During that time, Good has established himself as one of the most conservative, ideologically rigid, and disruptive members of Congress.

For example, Good was one of the Republicans who led the revolt against former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and he even opposed the election of current House Speaker Mike Johnson. And Bob Good has never seen a government shut down he didn’t like.
But last year Good made a fundamental mistake, at least for many in the base of the GOP. He chose to endorse Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for the Republican nomination for President, as opposed to former President Donald Trump.

That earned Good the wrath of the Trump cult, including state Delegate John McGuire, who at the time was running for a seat in the Virginia State Senate.

Within hours of his election to the State Senate in November, McGuire announced that he would challenge Good for the Republican nomination for Congress this year.

McGuire’s campaign is based on the belief that Good committed the unpardonable sin for choosing to endorse DeSantis over Trump. McGuire alleges that Good is a RINO (Republican In Name Only), and should be ousted from Congress.

This is, of course, a laughable charge, but it is pleasingly ironic since it was Good who leveled the same charge against his predecessor, former Rep. Denver Riggleman, who Good ousted in a similar Republican primary in 2020.

Good alleged that Riggleman was a RINO because of his failure to toe the far right’s ideological line as rigidly as Good and his supporters thought he should have done.

As for McGuire, there is no doubt that he is a faithful member of the Trump cult, and someone who would stake out positions that would be just as radical as many of the positions that have advanced Good to the job of chairing the Freedom Caucus in the House of Representatives.

There is also no doubt that McGuire suffers from unbridled political ambition, which can be a dangerous thing.

Before running for the State Senate in 2023, McGuire sought the Republican nomination for Congress in the 7th congressional district but lost that nomination battle. He then announced his candidacy for the State Senate, and as noted above, announced that he would be challenging Good in the 5th district even before his election to the State Senate had been certified.

I’ve been involved in Virginia politics for more than 30 years, and I don’t think I have seen anyone with the unbridled political ambition McGuire has demonstrated.

And Good certainly has demonstrated political hubris. Even though he opposed Johnson for Speaker of the House, he has now asked for Johnson’s support of his reelection campaign. You just can’t make this stuff up!

Honestly, this is not a contest between “good guys” and “bad guys.” These are all “bad guys”, who represent what is wrong with the Republican Party.

In today’s GOP it is no longer enough to be a consistent conservative Republican who understands the realities of political life in a divided Congress.

To be acceptable to many within the Republican base, you must be an uncompromising right-wing ideologue who refuses to seek common ground on almost anything; and in the case of McGuire and his kind, you must also be a devoted member of the Trump cult.

I honestly don’t care who wins this nomination, which will be decided in a Republican primary election on June 18th. I’m just enjoying the fight between Good and McGuire, neither of [whom] deserve to represent the people of the 5th district in Congress.
This race shows that no one is safe when unbridled political ambition meets up with extreme right-wing ideology and the demand for an unwavering commitment to Donald Trump.

U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan Secures Democratic Nomination in Re-election Campaign

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Blue Virginia
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1

From Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA04)’s office:

U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan Secures Democratic Nomination in Re-election Campaign

After Filing Deadline, McClellan Becomes Democratic Nominee in Virginia’s 4th Congressional District

Richmond, VA – Today, 4th District Democratic Chair Alexsis Rodgers announced that U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-04) is the 2024 Democratic nominee in Virginia’s 4th congressional district.

Thursday at 5 p.m. marked the passing of the filing deadline to run for Virginia’s 4th congressional district. No other Democratic candidate filed to enter the race.

“I’m honored to represent the 4th District and grateful for the support I have received from Virginia Democrats in my race for re-election,” McClellan said. “In my first year in Congress, I have worked to create jobs, lower costs, increase access to affordable health care, prevent gun violence, and protect voting rights, civil rights and reproductive freedom. But we have more work to do. I’m proud to run for re-election to continue fighting on behalf of the Fourth District and to turn out voters to re-elect me, Senator Tim Kaine, and President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.”

Rep. McClellan is the first Black woman from Virginia to serve in the U.S. Congress. She was elected in February 2023 in a special election for the 4th Congressional District to fill the vacant seat left by the passing of Rep. Donald McEachin. She previously served for 18 years in the Virginia General Assembly.

McClellan also serves on the Biden-Harris National Advisory Board, where she works with a  team of Democratic leaders to help deliver President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ message and engage voters across the country. She will also help turn out voters in VA-04 to re-elect Virginia U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine.

McClellan was born in Petersburg and graduated from Matoaca High School in Chesterfield County. The daughter of community leaders and educators, McClellan has focused on servant leadership and a drive to better her community.

In Congress, McClellan sits on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, where she is focused on supporting our servicemembers and bolstering America’s innovation and development. In the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act, McClellan secured major legislative wins like her NATO Resolution and provisions to improve servicemembers’ quality of life. McClellan is continuing her leadership on the issues that matter to Virginians and has introduced nine bills during her first year in Congress to address the maternal health crisis, access to child care, the cost of higher education, and more. She has closed over 1,000 cases for constituents who need assistance with federal agencies, returning over $1 million to those constituents. Through the FY2024 appropriations process, she secured over $15 million in Community Project Funding on a wide variety of projects from water infrastructure to housing for survivors of domestic violence.

McClellan was elected to the House of Delegates in 2005, and succeeded Rep. McEachin in the State Senate in 2017, after McEachin was elected to Congress. As a state legislator, McClellan passed more than 350 bills, including landmark legislation such as the Reproductive Health Protection Act, the Virginia Clean Economy Act, the Voting Rights Act of Virginia,the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, creating the School Construction and Modernization Commission to fix crumbling K-12 public schools, and creating the Virginia Health Benefit Exchange under Obamacare.

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA08) on Superb March Jobs Report: “*15 million* jobs since President Biden was sworn into office”

By
lowkell
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11

“The U.S. economy has now added more than *15 million* jobs since President Biden was sworn into office. He is the first and only President to achieve that milestone in a single term.” – Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA08)

 

What They Are Saying: Make Medicine Affordable Tour Highlights Strong Bipartisan Support for Prescription Drug Affordability Board

By
Blue Virginia
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2

From Freedom Virginia:

What They Are Saying: Make Medicine Affordable Tour Highlights Strong Bipartisan Support for Prescription Drug Affordability Board

Richmond, VA – Ahead of the April 8th Governor’s action deadline, community leaders, patient advocates, and legislators came together across the Commonwealth to urge Gov. Youngkin to sign legislation to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board as part of the Make Medicine Affordable tour.

Virginians like Savannah Morris of Henrico are calling on Governor Youngkin to sign the Prescription Drug Affordability Board. In a press conference on Wednesday April 3rd in Richmond, she said “This bill will, in short, save lives… I’m hoping [Governor Youngkin] sees this is something that affects everyone. It’s not a one side of the aisle thing, everyone has chronic illnesses, everyone can have a disability. Sickness does not discriminate.”

Watch: 

David Harper spoke at the Roanoke stop about struggling to afford his medication, which has gone up in price while his fixed income has stayed the same.

“Imagine having a drug you need to stay alive more than doubling in price,” David Harper said at the Roanoke Make Medicine Affordable Tour stop. “How many people can say their pay doubled in the last 10 years?’

Mara Shapiro of Charlottesville shared her story at a tour stop there and emphasized that without her insurance she would not be able to afford medicine she needs to stay alive.

“If I were to lose my insurance, I would have to front all that money in order to stay alive,” Mara Shapiro said at the Charlottesville stop of the Make Medicine Affordable Tour. “Even people who have insurance may face astronomical costs if they have unreasonable deductibles or poor prescription drug coverage. In other words, the price of just staying alive is just too high.”

Senator Bill Stanley published an Op-ED in the Cardinal News directly calling on the Governor to sign the Prescription Drug Affordability Board Legislation. 

“The undisputed truth is that the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs are forcing many people to make impossible choices. In my district and all over the commonwealth, too many have to choose whether to fill their prescriptions or put food on the table or keep a roof over their head. Too many are splitting pills or skipping doses because they’re trying to stretch needed medication out until their next paycheck. […]

I hope that Governor Youngkin will hear the voices of Virginians who overwhelmingly support this legislation, regardless of their partisan preferences. And it is my sincere hope that he will sign this legislation, which will send a clear message to Virginians struggling with high prescription drug costs that help is on the way.” 

Organizations and Community Leaders across the commonwealth have stepped up in support of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board 

In an Op-ed for the Virginian-Pilot, Hampton NAACP Branch President Gaylene Kanoyton said “Black and Latino Medicare beneficiaries over age 65 were 1.5 times as likely to report out-of-pocket prescription drug cost challenges than white Medicare beneficiaries. They were twice as likely to forego medication access because of high drug costs. It’s time to finally address the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs and the Prescription Drug Affordability Board is the way to do that.”

Dr. Greg Gelburd of Charlottesville also shared his support for the bill in an Op-Ed in the Virginia Mercury. “As someone who worked in the pharmaceutical industry as well, I can offer a unique perspective on the industry’s fallacious arguments against the drug affordability board. While I recognize the costs of research and development, these costs are generally recuperated within a few years. After that, drug companies make pure profit. And as they rake in their massive profits, nearly one in four Virginians are not taking their medication as prescribed simply because they cannot afford to. Research and development is worthless if patients can’t access the lifesaving drugs the best scientists produce.”

Additionally, over 100 Virginia medical professionals, of varying backgrounds and specialties, signed a letter in support of the board and urged Gov. Youngkin to sign legislation to establish it.

Legislators participated in a Digital Day of Action in which they highlighted the importance of establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. 
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Freedom Virginia is a nonpartisan 501(c)4 organization committed to building a Commonwealth where all Virginia families have the freedom to thrive. Freedom Virginia advances economic security policies through grassroots activism, voter engagement and legislative advocacy. Our efforts began in 2020 and since then we’ve pushed for a more economically secure Virginia by sharing real stories about Virginians’ lack of access to affordable healthcare, education, energy, and the need for policies that foster more safety for families. Visit our website at freedomva.org to learn more. 

Friday News: “Biden to Netanyahu: Protect civilians or else”; Trump’s “Amnesia Advantage” – Don’t Let Him “Exhaust You”; “Virginia’s Conservative Voice” Says “Joe Biden for Re-Election”; Rep. Bob Good (R-VA05) Begs Speaker Mike Johnson “for help surviving”

By
lowkell
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22

by Lowell

Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Friday, April 5.

Excellent, Succinct Overview, by Sam Shirazi, of the Highly Competitive VA10 Democratic Primary

By
lowkell
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1

See here and below for an excellent overview, by Sam Shirazi, of the VA10 Democratic primary. Key points include:

  • “Rep. Wexton is retiring, unfortunately due to health reasons. This district is based in Loudoun and surrounding NOVA suburbs/exurbs. It is slightly competitive, but Democrats are favorites here in the General.”
  • “There is no [Ranked Choice Voting] so winner likely will get well below 50%”
  • “Even though Loudoun will be majority of primary voters, most of the major candidates come from the Fairfax or PWC part of the seat. That means a big unknown is how much they can break through in Loudoun. And might give candidates with more Loudoun connections an advantage”
  • “Both Boysko and Subramanyam have represented large parts of Loudoun, which makes up the majority of voters. The others [former VA Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, Del. Dan Helmer, Del. David Reid, Del. Michelle Maldonado, former VA Secretary of Education Atif Qarni, Travis Nembhard, Krystle Kaul, and also Marion Devoe, Brandon Garay, Mark Leighton, and Adrian Pokharel] can try to offset that, but that gives the State Senators an advantage Ultimately the big possible game changer could be a Wexton endorsement if it came.”

Del. Paul Krizek: Youngkin’s Veto of 91 Bills (So Far) in 2024 “highlights the Governor’s disconnect from the concerns of average Virginia families”

By
Blue Virginia
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2

From Del. Paul Krizek (D-Fairfax)

Governor Sets New Veto Record

Governor Youngkin has acted on a total of 482 bills passed by the General Assembly ahead of his fast-approaching April 8th deadline. To date, the Governor has vetoed 91 bills, the most of any Governor in the history of the Commonwealth in just a single year. Remarkably, he has issued 132 total vetoes during his 3-year term in office, breaking a record set by former Governor McAuliffe. And, that number is sure to grow as there are 600 more bills yet to be acted upon. Given the narrow party-line passage of many of these bills, this result wasn’t surprising. Nevertheless, it highlights the Governor’s disconnect from the concerns of average Virginia families.

As you know from reading this weekly column, my bill HB 1167, which would have authorized any locality to adopt an ordinance to prohibit the sale of English Ivy (Hedera helix) within its jurisdiction was vetoed last month. An invasive plant, English Ivy is a major killer of trees in Virginia and costs landowners and local governments millions to eradicate. On Tuesday, the Governor vetoed two more bills that would have required signage posted at retailers that sell invasive plants to educate consumers about invasive plant species and encourage consumers to ask about alternatives. In his veto of my bill, the Governor stated that the most effective approach to addressing the issue of invasive plants in the Commonwealth is education. However, these most recent vetoes contradict that.

The Governor’s veto of our joint legislation with Senator Rouse, aimed at establishing a robust regulatory framework for an adult-use only retail cannabis market, represents a huge failure. This veto not only squanders a crucial opportunity to protect Virginians but also intensifies the proliferation of dangerous illicit products, amplifying risks to our schools and public safety. Virginia’s illicit cannabis market soared to a staggering $2.4 billion in 2023, underscoring the urgency of enacting effective measures. (You can find my full statements on the vetoes of legislation I introduced on my website www.paulkrizek.com.)

Also on the chopping block was one of our top Democratic priorities this session: raising the minimum wage. HB 1 and SB 1 would have increased the current $12 an hour minimum wage to $13.50 on January 1, 2025, and then to $15 on January 1, 2026. HB 157 would have removed the farmworker exemption from the Virginia Minimum Wage Act, righting a historic wrong by extending long-overdue minimum wage protections to Virginia’s farmworkers and migrant workers on temporary visas. Additionally, the Governor vetoed legislation that would have required employers to list pay ranges on job postings and stop relying on job applicants’ prior salary to set wages. The Governor passed up a rare opportunity to stand up for equal pay and wage transparency, which would have been a win-win for employers and workers.

The Governor vetoed Senator VanValkenburg’s SB 606, cognate to Delegate Sickles’ HB 1177, directing the Commonwealth to re-enter the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC). ERIC is a multi-state partnership that experts across the political spectrum consider the only reliable, secure way for states to share voter data and information with each other and serves as an essential tool for election officials to prevent people from being registered to vote in multiple states. Virginia was a founding member of ERIC in 2012.

The Governor vetoed 30 bills related to firearm safety and gun violence prevention. One bill would have criminalized possession of firearms in public university buildings, allowing law enforcement to make arrests, seize weapons, and open criminal investigations. This measure was supported by university police chiefs in the Commonwealth as a tool to combat campus gun violence. While public universities can have policies prohibiting guns on campus, the only available remedies for violating those are administrative ones like suspension or expulsion. HB 2 and SB 2 would have banned the sale, purchase, manufacture, transport, or transfer of assault firearms. The bill defines an assault firearm as a semi-automatic rifle or pistol with a fixed magazine capacity of over 10 rounds or the ability to accept a detachable magazine. Another bill vetoed would have made it illegal to leave a firearm visible in an unattended motor vehicle. The Governor also vetoed two bills that would have protected individuals experiencing a mental health emergency from prosecution during police encounters.

Unfortunately, the likelihood of overriding these vetoes during the Reconvene session in Richmond on April 17th is minimal, as it necessitates a two-thirds majority vote to override a veto. However, the Governor has amended several bills and still has others to address. These amendments only require a majority vote for rejection or approval. If rejected, the Governor will then have the final chance to either veto or sign the legislation.

Trump Honors Violent, Law Enforcement-Assaulting Rioters

By
Blue Virginia
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2

From President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign:

Trump Honors Violent, Law Enforcement-Assaulting Rioters

Donald Trump has made the violent January 6 attack on the Capitol a “cornerstone” of his campaign.

His new RNC has a hiring litmus test for new staff: say they believe the lie the election was stolen.

Trump kicks off his rallies honoring violent January 6 rioters.

Trump calls convicted January 6 insurrectionists “political prisoners” and “hostages” and has promised to pardon and “free” rioters if regains power.

Trump has promised a “bloodbath” if he loses reelection. Trump uses violent rhetoric over and over again – and he’s promised to be a dictator on “day one.”

But as both NBC and CBS report – as have many others – hundreds of these January 6 rioters are accused of assaulting police officers.

Here are just a few of the individuals from the group Trump honors and encourages on his campaign of revenge and retribution:

  • Taylor James Johnatakis: Sentenced just yesterday to more than seven years in prison for leading, organizing, and encouraging the assault of officers at the U.S. Capitol on January 6
  • Daniel Ball: Charged with assaulting law enforcement
  • John Banuelos: Accused of firing a gun during the Capitol attack
  • Tim Boughner: Allegedly bragged he “f—ed those cops up”
  • Joseph Daniel Hutchinson III, Jonathan Pollock, and Olivia Pollock: Charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers as well as theft of government property – Pollock allegedly grabbed an officer by the waist and pulled the officer down a set of stairs and punched another officer in the face
  • Edward Kelley: Charged with plotting to murder FBI employees after his release in Jan. 6 case
  • Jacob Lang: Charged with repeatedly assaulting law enforcement
  • Christopher Maurer: Charged with swinging a pipe at officers
  • Jeffrey McKellop: Accused of attacking police
  • Taylor Taranto: Reportedly showed up at Obama’s house with guns and ammunition after Trump posted the address
  • Gregory Yetman: Accused of felony charges of assaulting officers and obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder

The following is a statement from Biden-Harris 2024 Spokesperson James Singer on Donald Trump honoring violence:

“Donald Trump embraces political violence and honors those who assaulted law enforcement and attempted to overturn our democracy on January 6.

“Every day since his loss, Trump has become more dangerous, erratic, and vindictive – obsessed with putting his retribution and personal interests ahead of the American people.”

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Paid for by Biden for President

Biden Administration Issues New Rule on “protecting the merit-based civil service and preventing a return to Donald Trump’s disastrous Schedule F proposal”

By
lowkell
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4

See below for statements from President Joe Biden and Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA11) on release of the “final rule on protecting career civil servants from politicization.” As Rep. Connolly says, “I applaud President Biden and his administration for their commitment to protecting the merit-based civil service and preventing a return to Donald Trump’s disastrous Schedule F proposal. This rule is a vital and necessary step toward ensuring that the federal workforce is always defined by expertise, not political fealty.”

Statement from President Joe Biden on Final Rule to Protect Nonpartisan Civil Servants

Today, my Administration is announcing protections for 2.2 million career civil servants from political interference, to guarantee that they can carry out their responsibilities in the best interest of the American people. Day in and day out, career civil servants provide the expertise and continuity necessary for our democracy to function. They provide Americans with life-saving and life-changing services and put opportunity within reach for millions. That’s why since taking office, I have worked to strengthen, empower, and rebuild our career workforce. This rule is a step toward combatting corruption and partisan interference to ensure civil servants are able to focus on the most important task at hand: delivering for the American people.

 

Connolly Statement on Biden Administration’s Rule to Protect Civil Service from Politicization

Washington, DC – Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, and the author of the Saving the Civil Service Act, released the following statement after the Biden Administration released its final rule on protecting career civil servants from politicization:

“I applaud President Biden and his administration for their commitment to protecting the merit-based civil service and preventing a return to Donald Trump’s disastrous Schedule F proposal. This rule is a vital and necessary step toward ensuring that the federal workforce is always defined by expertise, not political fealty. But the threat of a politicized civil service is too great, and too real, for this to be the end of our efforts. We must build on this important step with legislation that ensures no future president can take office and replace 50,000+ dedicated civil servants with an army of political loyalists. I will continue to fight for passage of my bipartisan Saving the Civil Service Act, the only permanent solution to a problem that is not going away any time soon.”  

Thursday News: “NATO plots Trump survival strategy on its 75th birthday”; “US defence secretary rebukes Israel over killing of aid workers in Gaza”; “Trump’s threats to the rule of law continue” as Media in “Denial”; Trump Lied About Speaking with Murder Victim’s Family

By
lowkell
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28

by Lowell

Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Thursday, April 4.

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