Chesterfield schools closing for the April 21 special election because “robust turnout” is expected for Virginia’s redistricting referendum. Nothing says civic enthusiasm like canceling school for a ballot question most voters still can’t explain. 😬 #valeg

NEW: Virginia lawmakers are racing to finalize the state budget before Saturday’s adjournment, but talks are stalled over data center tax break. Gov. Spanberger says data centers should “pay their fair share,” but the state must honor existing agreements. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/11/c...

“Grow up!” Former Del. A.C. Cordoza defends controversial civil-rights-themed mailers opposing Virginia’s redistricting referendum Tuesday as Black conservatives joined the fight. Democrats blasted the tactic as misleading and “stupid.” #valeg virginiamercury.com/2026/03/10/g...

NEW: I just learned that the PAC behind the controversial mailers invoking civil rights imagery in Virginia’s redistricting referendum fight is led by former Del. A.C. Cordoza, according to the group’s treasurer. He sent me the statement below:

A controversial mailer campaign opposing Virginia’s redistricting referendum is drawing backlash for using civil rights imagery and references to Jim Crow. Critics say the materials mislead voters, while the PAC behind them has little public footprint. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/09/c...

NEW: Early voting is now underway in Virginia’s redistricting referendum. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., calls the proposal a temporary response “to counter the tyranny that Donald Trump has unleashed.” virginiamercury.com/2026/03/06/u...

NEW: Virginia AG Jay Jones has joined more than 20 states in suing the Trump administration over new global tariffs of up to 15% on imported goods. The suit argues the president is imposing sweeping taxes on Americans without congressional approval. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/05/v...

NEW: Former President Barack Obama and Gov. Abigail Spanberger welcome a Virginia Supreme Court ruling allowing early voting to begin Friday in the state’s redistricting referendum as Republicans mobilize opposition. virginiamercury.com/2026/03/05/o...

President Trump’s war in Iran could shake up Virginia’s congressional races. Dems question its legality; most VA Republicans back it. Sen. Warner, up for reelection this fall, calls it a “war of choice.” virginiamercury.com/2026/03/02/a...

NEW: After Gov. Spanberger’s SOTU rebuttal, Virginia Democrats are doubling down on efforts to limit ICE’s reach — pushing new legislation to curb cooperation with federal immigration agents and boost oversight. virginiamercury.com/2026/02/26/v...

Gov. Spanberger's rebuttal to Trump's State of the Union: POTUS is driving up housing, health care, energy and grocery costs, creating chaos at home and weakening the U.S. abroad. She also alleged corruption, saying he's "enriching himself." #vagov virginiamercury.com/2026/02/25/i...

Gov. Abigail Spanberger watches President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech from Williamsburg. Her Democratic response will start momentarily. (Pool photo by Erin Schaff)

NEW: Most Virginians back gun licensing (71%), registration (67%) and bans on semi-automatic rifles (57%) — but many doubt stricter laws would curb violence, new Roanoke College poll finds. 62% support keeping the current redistricting system. #valeg virginiamercury.com/2026/02/23/p...

Virginia’s money committees rewrite former Gov. Youngkin’s $212B budget — no new taxes, $100/$200 rebates, teacher raises and Medicaid backfills. The Senate would end a fast-growing data center tax break, steering revenue to schools and infrastructure. virginiamercury.com/2026/02/22/l...

NEW: A Tazewell County judge has temporarily blocked Virginia’s April 21 redistricting referendum, siding with the RNC and GOP lawmakers. The court cited likely constitutional violations and misleading ballot language. Democrats say they’ll appeal. virginiamercury.com/2026/02/19/r...

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will deliver the official Democratic response to President Trump’s State of the Union address next Tuesday. The move puts the recently sworn-in governor on the national stage as the party’s rebuttal voice. virginiamercury.com/2026/02/19/v...

NEW: Del. Dan Helmer is running in Virginia’s newly drawn #VA7 — a seat created under Democrats’ proposed 10-1 map. GOP leaders call it a “power grab” and “bad optics.” Helmer says his job was to win majorities, vows to “never back down.” #valeg virginiamercury.com/2026/02/18/a...

Post-crossover “affordability” messaging from House Democrats: Lowering everyday costs, housing affordability, health care premiums and co-pays, utility bills, child care — and touting 200+ bills passed, 800+ overall, with more than 75% bipartisan. #valeg

Virginia lawmakers advance legislation to create a regulated adult-use cannabis market. House bill passes 65-32; Senate clears its version 21-19. Retail sales could begin in late 2026 if Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs, as she’s pledged to do. #valeg virginiamercury.com/2026/02/17/v...

#breaking Democrat Elizabeth Bennett-Parker wins special election in #SD39, after Sen. Adam Ebbin left to join Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration.  Democrat Kirk McPike also holds Bennett-Parker’s former #HD5 seat in a separate contest. virginiamercury.com/2026/02/10/b...

NYT: Republican cash edge threatens to swamp Democrats in 2026. “Donald Trump has 99 problems going into the midterms,” one Democratic strategist said. “But money ain’t one.” www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...

A 100-year-old Halifax County quilt artist says she learned through social media that U.S. Rep. John McGuire honored her on the House floor — without consent.  Edith Younger Edmunds calls it appropriation, not recognition, and says silence “serves no one.” virginiamercury.com/2026/02/10/i...

Va. House Democrats advanced bills Friday to require judicial warrants for ICE civil arrests in courthouses and limit immigration enforcement in schools, polling places and other public spaces. Measures now head to the House Public Safety Committee. virginiamercury.com/2026/02/06/h...

#breaking Va. Democrats release their long-awaited congressional maps, proposing an aggressive 10–1 split. The plan reshapes Northern and central Virginia, keeps the 9th largely intact, and moves ahead despite a court order and pending Va. Supreme Court case. virginiamercury.com/2026/02/05/v...

NEW: Virginia House Democrats pushed through a sweeping package of gun control bills Thursday — including an assault weapons ban, industry liability measures and tighter storage rules — over fierce GOP opposition. #Valeg virginiamercury.com/2026/02/05/h...

🧨 As ICE eyes expansion in Virginia, former Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s last-day directive to sell a shuttered Augusta County prison is drawing scrutiny over a potential detention site. Gov. Abigail Spanberger has since paused the sale. #vagov virginiamercury.com/2026/02/03/a...

Virginia AG Jay Jones joins 21 other attorneys general in condemning what they call unconstitutional federal pressure on Minnesota, warning DOJ demands tied to immigration enforcement threaten state sovereignty, public safety and community trust. virginiamercury.com/2026/01/29/v...

County officials and residents pushed back on DHS plans for a potential ICE detention facility at a packed Hanover Board of Supervisors meeting last night. Here’s a closer look at what happened⬇️ virginiamercury.com/2026/01/29/n...

NEW: Virginia Democrats roll out slate of bills to curb federal immigration enforcement, citing public safety concerns after deadly actions in Minnesota. Republicans argue Virginia has no say in federal actions. #valeg virginiamercury.com/2026/01/28/d...

NEW: A Virginia circuit court struck down Democrats’ proposed redistricting amendment, ruling lawmakers violated constitutional requirements and their own rules. The decision blocks an April referendum and sets up an appeal. virginiamercury.com/2026/01/27/v...

NEW: In newly Democratic Virginia, immigration enforcement is shaping up as an early test for Gov. Abigail Spanberger, as she reins in state cooperation with ICE amid GOP backlash and growing pressure from advocates. virginiamercury.com/2026/01/26/i...

Virginia lawmakers clash over voting access: Democrats advance a package of election and campaign finance bills — one designed to create a state-run platform like VPAP — and block GOP proposals to limit early voting. virginiamercury.com/2026/01/21/v...

NEW: Democrat Garrett McGuire defeated Republican Christopher Cardiff in a special election in #HD17, keeping the Fairfax-based seat in Democratic hands after former Del. Mark Sickles joined Gov. Spanberger’s administration as secretary of finance. virginiamercury.com/2026/01/20/d...

NEW: In her first address to the Virginia legislature, Gov. Spanberger backs four constitutional amendments already passed — including redistricting — and presses lawmakers to act on a broad affordability agenda. #valeg #vagov virginiamercury.com/2026/01/19/s...

NEW: Democrat Abigail Spanberger was sworn in Saturday as Virginia’s 75th governor — and the first woman to hold the office — invoking unity, warning of “recklessness” coming out of Washington and moving quickly to define her agenda. virginiamercury.com/2026/01/17/s...

#breaking Abigail Spanberger is sworn in as Virginia's 75th governor, becoming the first woman to serve in this role. Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi and Attorney General Jay Jones were sworn in moment earlier.

Happening now: Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger arrives at her inaugural ceremony at Virginia’s state Capitol

NEW: Virginia Senate Democrats advance a controversial amendment allowing mid-decade congressional redistricting.  New maps would be drawn in a special session and shown to voters ahead of a possible April referendum. #valeg virginiamercury.com/2026/01/16/v...

NEW: In my exit interview with Gov. Glenn Youngkin, he says his four years in office were “a comprehensive transformation” of Virginia — and that he has “no regrets.” Critics, however, see a far more mixed legacy. #vagov virginiamercury.com/2026/01/16/y...

#breaking On the first day of the 2026 General Assembly, Va. House Democrats advanced 4 proposed constitutional amendments, including a controversial measure that could allow mid-decade congressional redistricting. The proposals now head to the Senate. virginiamercury.com/2026/01/14/v...

Happening now: Speaker Don Scott takes his oath of office for the second time, leading a House of Delegates with a 64-seat majority. #valeg

Good morning from the state Capitol in Richmond! On day 1 of the 2026 session, Democrats are celebrating their new 64-seat House majority, which Speaker Don Scott calls “a new era for the commonwealth.” Later today, @GovernorVA will address the legislature for the last time. #vagov #valeg

NEW: Democrats hold two Virginia House seats in Tuesday’s special elections, with Gretchen Bulova winning #HD11 and Margaret Franklin winning #HD23 after vacancies tied to Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s cabinet picks. virginiamercury.com/2026/01/13/d...

#breaking Former Del. Mike Jones wins Tuesday’s special election for the Richmond-area Senate District 17 seat vacated by Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi, while Democrat Charlie Schmidt captures Jones’ former House District 77 seat.  virginiamercury.com/2026/01/06/d...

Virginia lawmakers are reviving a bid to rein in FOIA fees in the 2026 General Assembly session, after similar legislation stalled last year. @pwcdanica says her proposal would make public records more affordable and accessible. #VAleg virginiamercury.com/2026/01/05/p...

Inbox: @kaine.senate.gov, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, responds to U.S. strike on #Venezuela, calling it “a sickening return to a day when the United States asserted the right to dominate the internal political affairs of all nations in the Western Hemisphere.”

NEW: Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger names Del. Mark Sickles as secretary of finance and Traci Deshazor as secretary of administration, adding two senior cabinet members and setting up another special election in Fairfax County. virginiamercury.com/2025/12/23/a...

Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger on Thursday rolled out her “Affordable Virginia Agenda,” outlining a slate of legislative proposals aimed at lowering health care, energy and housing costs as lawmakers prepare for the upcoming General Assembly session. virginiamercury.com/2025/12/18/s...

NEW: Outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin rolled out his final 2-year budget Wednesday, pitching pay raises for teachers and state workers, $730M in tax relief and a $50M child welfare overhaul.  He also warned Democrats not to undo his pro-business policies.  virginiamercury.com/2025/12/17/y...

NEW: Rep. Jen Kiggans backed DOGE from day one. Now Elon Musk says the program was only “somewhat successful” and he wouldn’t do it again — complicating her reelection bid in one of the nation’s most competitive House districts. virginiamercury.com/2025/12/17/m...