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Chesterfield House race tangled in racism claims and legal threats

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Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Sep 10

Accusations of racist texts, legal threats and an unaired campaign ad are fueling controversy in a Chesterfield County House race.

open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

A House race in Chesterfield County has resulted in accusations of racist texts, cease-and-desist letters, unaired commercials, and a lot of drama.

New poll: Spanberger maintains lead in race for governor

Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Sep 9

A new poll shows Spanberger and Jones with significant leads, while it is a tighter race for LG. Former Gov. Doug Wilder says this is a sign that Gov. Youngkin has little influence with Virginia voters.

open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

A closer race for LG.

Spanberger, Earle-Sears have sights set on Hampton Roads debate

Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Aug 15

Spanberger and Earle-Sears appear to have their sights set on a Hampton Roads debate

open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

Spanberger turned down the CNN debate, one day after Earle-Sears declined the People's Debate.

Youngkin directs state police to investigate Fairfax claims

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Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Aug 13

FCPS told me that they are prepared to fully cooperate with the state police investigation, but did not provide further comment specific to the issue.

open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

Youngkin announced that he is directing the state police to investigate claims made that Fairfax County Schools staff were involved in underage students receiving abortions without parental consent.

Gov. Youngkin campaigns with John Reid in New Kent

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Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Aug 13

Gov. Youngkin campaigned with John Reid in New Kent County tonight.

open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

This is the Virginia Scope daily newsletter covering Virginia politics from top to bottom.

AG Miyares appeals court decision over university board rejections

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Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Aug 12

Miyares filed with the Virginia Supreme Court to appeal a July court decision that affirmed Senate Democrats’ rejection of some of Youngkin’s university board appointees. Miyares is citing multiple reasons for filing the appeal.

@andrewkerley.bsky.social

open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

Miyares on Monday formally filed to appeal a July court decision that affirmed Senate Democrats’ rejection of some of Youngkin’s university board appointees.

Let's debate these debates!

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Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Aug 7

I love a good debate about debates

open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

Miyares and Jones are teeing off over debates.

Interview: Sean Sublette launches campaign for VA-01

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Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Aug 6

Meteorologist Sean Sublette launched his campaign today for the Democratic nomination to run against Rep. Rob Wittman in VA-01. Watch me interview with him here: open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

Sublette is seeking the Democratic nomination to run against Rep. Rob Wittman in VA-01.

Commentary: More GOP dysfunction

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Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Jul 24

New commentary from Bill Bolling: "It is ultimately up to Winsome Sears to bring unity to the GOP ticket. If she refuses to do so she will prove that she is not qualified to serve as governor."
virginiapoliticalnewsletter.substack.com/p/commentary...

From Bolling: It is ultimately up to Winsome Sears to bring unity to the GOP ticket. If she refuses to do so she will prove that she is not qualified to serve as Governor.

Republicans continue to speak out about the Earle-Sears campaign

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Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Jul 23

“Ultimately, unified beats divided anytime,” said Dr. Stephen Farnsworth. “And the Republican Party’s inability to really get together is yet another problem for a party that's already looking at a difficult year.”

open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

Republicans across the commonwealth are starting to speak out, underscoring the party’s lack of unity and waning faith in the woman expected to take the reins of GOP leadership in Virginia.

Book your sponsorship week for session now for a discount.

Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Jul 22

I am reserving sponsorships for the newsletter during the 2026 session now with a discounted rate. During the 2025 session, this newsletter averaged more than 42,000 views per day.

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Sponsor during session

Earle-Sears attacks media as campaign struggles

Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Jul 21

Earle-Sears attacks the media as her campaign continues to struggle

open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

Trailing in money and in the polls, Earle-Sears turns her attention to attacking the media. Even the media from her own party.

McClellan wants answers on ICE actions in Chesterfield

Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Jul 16

Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-VA04, is seeking answers from federal immigration officials after agents detained mostly nonviolent individuals at the Chesterfield County Courthouse.

virginiapoliticalnewsletter.substack.com/p/mcclellan-...

Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-VA04, is seeking answers from federal immigration officials after agents detained mostly nonviolent individuals at the Chesterfield County Courthouse.

New poll shows big leads for Democratic statewide ticket

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Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Jul 16

A new poll shows blue skies in statewide races open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

The sky is blue for Democrats in Virginia.

A new look at money in Virginia politics

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Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Jul 16

The latest campaign filings for statewide races
open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

The latest campaign filings in Virginia statewide races.

JLARC report finds some school districts are incorrectly citing a 2022 law when removing books from libraries

Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Jul 14

A new report from JLARC today found that some school districts are misinterpreting a 2022 law when citing it as a reason for removing a book from a school library.

virginiapoliticalnewsletter.substack.com/p/jlarc-repo...

The report found that school divisions have the authority to select and remove books from libraries, but some are misinterpreting a 2022 law to justify book removals.

George Mason’s president appears to be the Trump administration’s next target

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Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Jul 11

George Mason’s president appears to be the Trump administration’s next target

virginiapoliticalnewsletter.substack.com/p/george-mas...

Another Virginia university president appears to be in the crosshairs of Donald Trump’s administration.

Senate Democrats to push back further as Youngkin gains full control of Virginia universities

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Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Jul 10

Democrats are making moves to block Youngkin — who ran on education issues and has focused on removing race and gender-related concepts from K-12 — as they fear he may try to further his legacy of reforming higher education during the last year of his term.

open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

Senate Democrats consider blocking more Youngkin university board appointments as he exerts influence

Response to CNBC top state for business ranking

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Brandon Jarvis @jaaavis.bsky.social · Jul 10

Statewide nominees react to Virginia being ranked fourth in CNBC’s Top States for Business
open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

Political figures are responding to the news that Virginia is being ranked number four in CNBC’s top states for business rankings.

Energy plans from gubernatorial nominees

Reposted by Brandon Jarvis

Sean for Congress (VA-01) @subletteweather.com · Jul 9

Thanks to @jaaavis.bsky.social for talking with me about weather, climate, and energy for his story this afternoon.

As AI booms and the grid strains, Virginia grapples with competing energy visions.