Category: Politics
-
The Role of Union Money in the 2019 Elections
by James A. Bacon Organized labor may not be the biggest source of campaign contributions in Virginia, but it is one of the most consistently reliable supporters of Democratic candidates. Virginia Public Access Project data shows that labor unions have contributed $4.8 million in the current electoral cycle, favoring Democrats over Republicans by a 200-to-1…
-
Is Massive Dem Fund Raising Lead a One-Off or Sign of Fundamental Change?
by James A. Bacon The latest Virginia Public Access Project data for the 2019 electoral cycle shows a surge in campaign donations to Democratic Party candidates. The gap is dramatic — and unprecedented in recent Virginia politics. The big question: Are we seeing a fundamental realignment of politics parties and voting blocs in Virginia, or…
-
Virginia as New Jersey: Dem Support Grows to Repeal Right-to-Work
by James A. Bacon Democrats may or may not be poised to take control of the Virginia General Assembly. Steve Haner, who knows infinitely more about Virginia politics than I do, thinks Republicans have a shot at retaining their majorities. But from my untutored perspective, all signs point to a big Democratic win this fall.…
-
More in the Nefarious Hunt for DARK MONEY!
By Peter Galuszka Sound the klaxon horn at Bacon’s Rebellion! More DARK MONEY is coming to pollute the state’s glorious electoral process. Emily’s List, a PAC supporting female Democratic candidates, has announced that it is planning on donating an extra $1.5 million to help flip the GOP-controlled Virginia General Assembly. Along with another $600,000 Emily’s…
-
From Purple to Blue
by James A. Bacon Virginia stopped being a red state a decade or two ago. Despite a Democratic sweep of all statewide elections (U.S. senators, governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general), one could maintain the pretense that Virginia is a “purple” state thanks to a Republican-dominated General Assembly. But it has been long apparent that…
-
Dems & Dom, RGGI Grows, Medicaid & Work
By Steve Haner What Was Lost Is Found Again. Couldn’t they wait at least another few weeks? Anybody foolish enough to believe that Dominion Energy Virginia and the Virginia Democratic Party establishment have really parted ways (as Jim Bacon seemed to think a while back), take note of this from today’s Richmond Times-Dispatch: Governor Ralph…
-
The Last of The Pistol Packin’ Mamas?
By Peter Galuszka Part buffoon, part populist, state Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, has for years represented white resentment against modern times, Tea Party-style. She’s picked up on every bad feeling out there and amplified it, including pent-up anger against minorities, immigrants, government workers, women’s rights and gun control advocates and more. She’s had a weekly…
-
Will These Insurance Ads Also Sway VA Voters?
By Steve Haner As the state campaign debate rages about health insurance plan which are short term or less comprehensive than the Affordable Care Act, two on-going national ad campaigns may cross-pollinate the debate. They are bolstering the Republican position nicely. The first are the spots with people saying they are worried about the various…
-
Lobbying Entertainment Data Still Deceptive
By Steve Haner ‘Our friends at the Virginia Public Access Project are a bit later this year with their data and visuals on Virginia’s embarrassingly weak and intentionally vague lobbyist entertainment reporting. It is still nothing but a sham, exactly how the legislators and lobbyists want it. The 2018 VPAP coverage was subject of a…
-
Don’t Abandon Medicaid Work Requirement
By Steve Haner To Republicans who supported the 2018 decision to expand Medicaid services to more Virginians – and encouraged yes votes from reluctant colleagues — the promise to couple those benefits with pathways toward gainful employment was a key reason. The compromise has worked in other states as well.
-
The Rise of Out-of-State Money
Contributions from Democratic Party out-of-state donors has reached a new peak in Virginia’s 2019 legislative elections — $3.4 million, or 15% of total donations — according to new data visualization graphic published by the Virginia Public Access Project. A similar trend is visible among Republican donors, though not as pronounced. As out-of-state moneyed interests assume…
-
There Is a Line and These Two Crossed It
The silly season is in full swing. Stop believing (in fact, maybe stop reading) the political trash coming into your mailbox, inbox or showing up online. Television you already know not to trust, right? Someone told me that political ads have invaded streaming services now, which is depressing. It was Democratic senate candidate Debra Rodman’s…
-
Dominion Has Lost the Dems. What’s Next?
Dominion Energy is fast losing the Democratic Party. Following the lead of dozens of Democratic candidates and elected officials, the Democratic Party of Virginia has declared that it will no long accept political contributions from the electric utility. Reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Party Chairwoman Susan Swecker said Dominion’s contributions are a “very contentious issue with…
-
Virginia’s Dark Money Legal Machine
When the deep-pocketed corporate backers of “Doctor Patient Unity” set up their dark money entity, they registered the partnership in Virginia. The State Corporation Commission filing listed the partnership’s registered agent as North Rock Reports, LLC, in Warrenton. North Rock, reports the New York Times in an article about Doctor Patient Unity’s $28 million advertising…
-
National Dark Money Campaign Sloshes into Virginia
A lot of things are happening in our dysfunctional health care system outside the public view. But every so often, a piece of flotsam pops to the surface that reveals the rent-seeking behavior by private interests in a system regulated at every level by government. The latest revelation concerns two private equity-backed physician-staffing groups behind…