Virginia Politics & News
Virginia news from The Daily Signal, covering state politics, education policy, election integrity, and the political shift between Northern Virginia and the Commonwealth’s conservative regions.
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Washington Subway’s Financial Woes Underscore Folly of Virginia Sports Arena Plan
It would be nearly impossible to make the folly of government economic development more obvious than two recent announcements in the Washington, D.C., area. On Dec. 13, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a $2 billion arena project in suburban Alexandria, Virginia, that would be the new home for the NHL’s Washington Capitals and NBA’s Washington Wizards of the NBA, who now…David Ditch -
Virginia Democrats Poised to Control Both State Chambers
Democrats are projected to maintain control of the Virginia Senate and state’s House of Delegates in legislative elections that shaped up to be a major ballot test for the political capital of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. After 11:25 p.m. Tuesday, The Associated Press projected Democrats would keep the state Senate. Later in the night, the…Fred Lucas -
Fight for Parents Rights Not Over in Troubled Virginia School District
The original version of this article, published the night of Nov. 7, was removed from The Daily Signal’s site because it relied on incomplete vote totals for its claims regarding election outcomes. One of the epicenters of the fight over parental rights in public schools is likely to remain a contested battleground with the results…Tony Kinnett -
Evidence Reveals Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin Was Right on DEI. Here’s What Parents and Students Need to Know.
Yes, Virginia, radicals are promoting racial discrimination and drag queens in the Old Dominion’s public schools. Gov. Glenn Youngkin, however, has tried to protect children from sexually explicit content and reject racial prejudice since his first day in office. New research by The Heritage Foundation, parent organization of The Daily Signal, only confirms the…Jonathan Butcher -
The Left’s Priesthood: How DEI Offices Weaponize Virginia Universities
Those of us who work in the capital city I refer to as “Mordor” have slim pickings on where to live, and I chose Virginia, which I consider to be the most conservative option. Little did I know, the Old Dominion ranks first in the nation for applying the Left’s most effective tool in weaponizing…Tyler O’Neil -
Virginia Parents Sue After School Board Fails to Adopt Model Transgender Policies
Two parents filed a lawsuit against the Virginia Beach School Board this week for voting down proposed policies that pertain to keeping parents informed about their child’s identity. The state’s Department of Education released the model policies in July and claimed that this step would “safeguard parent’s rights.” The school board opted out of adopting the policies…Kate Anderson -
Virginia Tech DEI Director’s Effort to Oppose Pro-Youngkin School Board Candidates May Have Crossed a Line
A diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at a leading university in southwestern Virginia may have violated her school's policy by using work email to forward a message slamming conservative school board candidates as "hateful" and urging readers to canvass for the candidates' opponents shortly before early voting begins. One school board member targeted in the…Tyler O’Neil -
Team Youngkin Addresses Future COVID-19 Restrictions: ‘In Virginia You Get to Choose’
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin won’t be mandating that Americans mask up or lock down to fight the COVID-19 pandemic any time soon, The Daily Signal has learned. Some schools, hospitals, and businesses have begun encouraging Americans to wear masks again amid a rise in COVID-19 cases throughout the country, sparking fears that lawmakers will once…Mary Margaret Olohan -
Virginia Parents Have Right to Sue After District Adopts Transgender ‘Rights’ Violating Youngkin Policy, AG Says
A Northern Virginia school district just outside of Washington, D.C., appears to be in flagrant violation of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's model policies on transgender issues, potentially opening the district up for parents to file lawsuits. Fairfax County Public Schools published a document and an online survey outlining “Student Rights & Responsibilities” earlier this month. The…Tyler O’Neil -
‘For Me, the Glass Is Always Half Full,’ Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears Says
“The American dream is alive and well,” Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears, says, “but only if we work at it.” “We must continue to work,” Sears says. “We must make sure that our children understand that they must take their place in society, that their job is no less than preserving America for the next…Samantha Aschieris -
In Woke Wars, Faith-Based Virginia Schools See Enrollment Jump
Schools rooted in a biblical worldview are seeing increased enrollment in Virginia, while public schools are faltering. According to a recent report, Catholic schools in Northern Virginia have seen a 10% increase in enrollment since 2019. The Catholic Diocese of Arlington covers the entirety of Northern Virginia, including Loudoun County, which has been at the heart of…S.A. McCarthy -
A Virginia School District Upheld Parental Rights on Trans Issues. Why Is the Biden DOJ Getting Involved?
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—America First Legal is demanding answers after the Justice Department under President Joe Biden intervened in a Virginia school district's adoption of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's policies that center parental rights in transgender issues. "The Department of Justice seems to suggest that protecting the constitutional rights of parents and students will lead…Tyler O’Neil -
In Virginia, School Choice Triumphs in GOP Primary Races
Virginia has trailed other states in adopting robust education choice policies. But after the results of last week’s GOP primaries in the commonwealth, that could change. The Virginia General Assembly is nearly evenly divided, with Democrats holding a slight majority in the state Senate (22-18) and Republicans holding a slight majority in the House of…Jason Bedrick -
Republicans Challenge ‘Dead Weight’ Tim Kaine as Youngkin’s Popularity Puts Virginia’s US Senate Race in Play
Republicans seem well positioned to win the U.S. Senate in 2024, since they have only 12 seats to defend compared to the Democrats’ 22. In Virginia, Republicans aim to unseat incumbent Senate Democrat Tim Kaine, slamming him as “dead weight” and noting the success of Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican. “I think this race is…Tyler O’Neil -
EXCLUSIVE: Virginia Senate Candidate Makes Major Parental Rights Pledge After SPLC Attack
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—A Republican candidate for the Virginia Senate has responded to the Southern Poverty Law Center’s attack on parental rights groups such as Moms for Liberty by pledging to introduce a Parental Bill of Rights Act in the Legislature should she win election in November. The SPLC last week added parental rights…Tyler O’Neil -
Every State Is a Border State: How the Migrant Crisis Impacts Wisconsin, Alabama, Virginia
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Republicans in the House of Representatives voted Thursday to pass HR 2, a massive border bill. Many of them who represent states far removed geographically from the border told The Daily Signal how the crisis is impacting their states. “We have had a rash of fentanyl overdoses in the 3rd Congressional District in the…Tyler O’Neil -
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Chief Diversity Officer Won’t Roll Over for the Left
Virginia state official Martin Brown is the latest reminder that DEI—“diversity, equity, and inclusion”—is a sham, a strategy to force systemic change and not to encourage equality, participation by all, or ideological diversity. “DEI is dead,” Brown said last week, and the keepers of the orthodoxy started calling for his head. Brown, chief diversity, opportunity,…Mike Gonzalez -
Virginia Governor Elevates State’s Economic Partnership With Taiwan
“Together, we will continue to build a deep and lasting partnership.” That was the unmistakable, powerful message Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin conveyed Monday to President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan and the people of the Asian island nation. In his first official overseas trade mission for the commonwealth of Virginia, Youngkin made a notable visit…Anthony B. Kim -
Abortion Clinic Drops Suit Against West Virginia’s Unborn Child Protection Law
A West Virginia abortion clinic on Monday dropped its lawsuit against the state’s pro-life law. In a federal district court filing, the clinic cited unavailability on the part of its two abortion doctors in seeking a “voluntary dismissal” of the case. The lawsuit was filed on Feb. 1 challenging the Unborn Child Protection Act, a law…Michael Ippolito -
Youngkin Signs Bill Ensuring Equal Status for Virginia Churches
On March 26, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, signed HB 2171 into law. This new statute ensures that houses of worship are not subject to unequal restrictions compared to those placed on other businesses, organizations, and activities in the commonwealth of Virginia. In sharp contrast to the limit of 10 people imposed on “nonessential” gatherings such as churches by…John Kebles