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The audio at the top of this newsletter is a discussion between Brandon Jarvis, Marques Jones - former Democratic Committee Chair in Henrico, and Nathan Kiker - a Democratic operative in Virginia. The discussion is centered (mostly) around two competitive Senate primary races next year between former Prince William Delegates Hala Ayala and Jennifer Carroll Foy; and state Senator Joe Morrissey (Richmond) and former Del. Lashrecse Aird (Petersburg.)
Ayala and Carroll Foy are seeking the safe Democratic nomination in a new Prince William state Senate seat that has no incumbent due to redistricting. Ayala was the Democratic lieutenant governor nominee in 2023 and Carroll Foy ran for governor but lost in the primary to the eventual nominee, Terry McAuliffe.
Aird is running for a new open state Senate seat that state Senator Joe Morrissey plans to also pursue as redistricting has changed the district that he currently resides within.
Both primaries are set to entertain Virginia political fans and they will likely be quite expensive. Listen to our discussion with the link at the top of this newsletter.
Miyares’ office clarifies the situation with a pedophile in Northern Virginia
Attorney General Jason Miyares’ office says that he did not cut a plea deal with a pedophile in Northern Virginia.
This newsletter reported this morning that former Loudoun County Sheriff's Deputy Dustin Amos received one less charge after pleading guilty to soliciting a minor. NBC4 first reported that Miyares’ office offered a deal to Amos that resulted in only one felony charge.
According to the OAG, the man pleaded guilty on his own and there was no plea deal. The OAG did not seek the second charge because “there was not sufficient evidence to support a second charge,” said Victoria LaCivita, a spokesperson for Miyares.
“There’s a big difference between accepting a criminal plea to a charge supported with evidence and having blanket policies that encourage going after lower sentences and dropping felonies to misdemeanors at every chance possible,” LaCivita also wrote in an email.
The Democratic Party of Virginia shared the NBC 4 article in a press release Friday accusing Miyares of being a hypocrite after his rhetoric from the campaign trail last year. “From day one, the Attorney General has shown Virginians how big of a hypocrite he really is,” said DPVA spokesperson Gianni Snidle. “Attorney General Miyares has criticized Commonwealth Attorneys across the state for cutting plea deals, but then cuts a plea deal with a dangerous predator.”
Governor Glenn Youngkin signed HB 1239 into law
From LIS: The bill Authorizes localities to classify for rate purposes certain vehicles that, under current law, may be classified only for valuation purposes, including certain automobiles, trucks, motor vehicles for use by the handicapped, motorcycles, mopeds, all-terrain vehicles, off-road motorcycles, campers, and other recreational vehicles. The bill specifies that its provisions shall apply only to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2022, but before January 1, 2025. The bill contains an emergency clause
“With prices soaring on the necessities that families and individuals use every day, Virginians are in dire need of relief to their wallets. I am proud to sign this legislation and work with the General Assembly to empower localities to lower the cost of living,”Governor Youngkin said in a statement Monday. “Many Virginians are struggling due to rising prices, now it is up to local leaders across Virginia to step up and fight inflation with real tax relief. I look forward to continuing our work to deliver real tax relief for all Virginians.”
Audio: Analysis of two big state Senate Democratic primary races