Matt Royer 🤘🏼
@mattroyer.bsky.social
Molly's Husband, VAYD President Emeritus. VA Born & Raised, JMU, He/Him 🇮🇪 ✝️ (Opinions are my own)
I wrote in today’s RTD about the truth behind “skill” game machines in Virginia.
These slot-style devices target low-income communities, fuel public safety risks, and funnel profits to out-of-state corporations.
It’s time for the legislature to stop their spread. richmond.com/opinion/colu...
These slot-style devices target low-income communities, fuel public safety risks, and funnel profits to out-of-state corporations.
It’s time for the legislature to stop their spread. richmond.com/opinion/colu...
Virginia must stop letting slot-style 'skill' machines prey on our communities | Guest column
Virginia legislators should strengthen the existing ban on so-called slot-style skill games, prohibit the construction of new terminals, and ensure full enforcement of current prohibitions. Among othe...
richmond.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:59 PM
I wrote in today’s RTD about the truth behind “skill” game machines in Virginia.
These slot-style devices target low-income communities, fuel public safety risks, and funnel profits to out-of-state corporations.
It’s time for the legislature to stop their spread. richmond.com/opinion/colu...
These slot-style devices target low-income communities, fuel public safety risks, and funnel profits to out-of-state corporations.
It’s time for the legislature to stop their spread. richmond.com/opinion/colu...
If you’re running for US Senate and the first I’m hearing of you is from a fundraising text, I got bad news for you, chief.
December 3, 2025 at 5:14 PM
If you’re running for US Senate and the first I’m hearing of you is from a fundraising text, I got bad news for you, chief.
There is no law right now that could stop what John Reid did during his "debate" stunt, but there should be.
AI is already altering our perception more than we realize, and not only is it creating fake scandals, it’s giving politicians a way to deny real ones.
AI is already altering our perception more than we realize, and not only is it creating fake scandals, it’s giving politicians a way to deny real ones.
A Virginia candidate just “debated” an AI version of his opponent.
Deepfakes are already shaping campaigns, fooling voters, and eroding trust — and we have zero guardrails.
I wrote about how AI is breaking our politics in real time, and why states must act.
www.bytheballot.com/p/a-fake-deb...
Deepfakes are already shaping campaigns, fooling voters, and eroding trust — and we have zero guardrails.
I wrote about how AI is breaking our politics in real time, and why states must act.
www.bytheballot.com/p/a-fake-deb...
A Fake Debate, A Real Crisis
AI’s Threat to Campaign Integrity
www.bytheballot.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:53 PM
There is no law right now that could stop what John Reid did during his "debate" stunt, but there should be.
AI is already altering our perception more than we realize, and not only is it creating fake scandals, it’s giving politicians a way to deny real ones.
AI is already altering our perception more than we realize, and not only is it creating fake scandals, it’s giving politicians a way to deny real ones.
Reposted by Matt Royer 🤘🏼
We’re fighting for eyeballs in a world of short attention spans.
But persuasion now happens in earbuds, not on TV screens.
Why digital audio is the most overlooked weapon in modern campaigning → www.bytheballot.com/p/your-ears-...
But persuasion now happens in earbuds, not on TV screens.
Why digital audio is the most overlooked weapon in modern campaigning → www.bytheballot.com/p/your-ears-...
Your Ears Should Be Ringing
Digital Audio is the most underutilized method for political ads.
www.bytheballot.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:10 PM
We’re fighting for eyeballs in a world of short attention spans.
But persuasion now happens in earbuds, not on TV screens.
Why digital audio is the most overlooked weapon in modern campaigning → www.bytheballot.com/p/your-ears-...
But persuasion now happens in earbuds, not on TV screens.
Why digital audio is the most overlooked weapon in modern campaigning → www.bytheballot.com/p/your-ears-...
Reposted by Matt Royer 🤘🏼
The next Democratic majority won’t come from consultants in D.C.—it’ll come from dirt roads and town halls in Rural America.
New By the Ballot episode: Rural Megaphones.
🎙️ Listen now on By the Ballot: www.bytheballot.com/p/rural-mega...
New By the Ballot episode: Rural Megaphones.
🎙️ Listen now on By the Ballot: www.bytheballot.com/p/rural-mega...
Rural Megaphones
Democrats Need To Look to the Hills, the Hollers, and the Plains before 2026 and Beyond
www.bytheballot.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The next Democratic majority won’t come from consultants in D.C.—it’ll come from dirt roads and town halls in Rural America.
New By the Ballot episode: Rural Megaphones.
🎙️ Listen now on By the Ballot: www.bytheballot.com/p/rural-mega...
New By the Ballot episode: Rural Megaphones.
🎙️ Listen now on By the Ballot: www.bytheballot.com/p/rural-mega...
Reposted by Matt Royer 🤘🏼
We’re trying something new this week: teaming up with Dogwood News.
Michael O'Connor breaks down how unions helped Virginia’s 2025 blue wave — and what Dems might actually deliver now that they control Richmond
Virginia’s labor future is on the line. Read: www.bytheballot.com/p/workers-tu...
Michael O'Connor breaks down how unions helped Virginia’s 2025 blue wave — and what Dems might actually deliver now that they control Richmond
Virginia’s labor future is on the line. Read: www.bytheballot.com/p/workers-tu...
Workers Turned Out. Will Democrats Step Up?
Unions helped Democrats win big — now the question is whether Richmond will deliver for the workers who delivered for them.
www.bytheballot.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:47 PM
We’re trying something new this week: teaming up with Dogwood News.
Michael O'Connor breaks down how unions helped Virginia’s 2025 blue wave — and what Dems might actually deliver now that they control Richmond
Virginia’s labor future is on the line. Read: www.bytheballot.com/p/workers-tu...
Michael O'Connor breaks down how unions helped Virginia’s 2025 blue wave — and what Dems might actually deliver now that they control Richmond
Virginia’s labor future is on the line. Read: www.bytheballot.com/p/workers-tu...
Reposted by Matt Royer 🤘🏼
Just wrote a guest article for Dogwood News on why Dems swept Virginia in 2025 and why governing boldly on affordability is the next step.
Dems stayed focused on economic issues and affordability. Voters backed that vision.
Now it’s time to deliver. Full piece here ⬇️ vadogwood.com/2025/11/18/c...
Dems stayed focused on economic issues and affordability. Voters backed that vision.
Now it’s time to deliver. Full piece here ⬇️ vadogwood.com/2025/11/18/c...
Commentary: The costs of being in the majority
Democrats won on issues of affordability and working-class concerns. Now it’s time to deliver.
vadogwood.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Just wrote a guest article for Dogwood News on why Dems swept Virginia in 2025 and why governing boldly on affordability is the next step.
Dems stayed focused on economic issues and affordability. Voters backed that vision.
Now it’s time to deliver. Full piece here ⬇️ vadogwood.com/2025/11/18/c...
Dems stayed focused on economic issues and affordability. Voters backed that vision.
Now it’s time to deliver. Full piece here ⬇️ vadogwood.com/2025/11/18/c...
Reposted by Matt Royer 🤘🏼
Chuck Corra from Appodlachia joined us to talk about a distrubing new movement in Appalachia: Silicon Valley bros are building crypto-based Christian Nationalist towns in Tennessee… with their own “charters” and zero oversight.
This is the new far-right project. www.bytheballot.com/p/the-regres...
This is the new far-right project. www.bytheballot.com/p/the-regres...
November 20, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Chuck Corra from Appodlachia joined us to talk about a distrubing new movement in Appalachia: Silicon Valley bros are building crypto-based Christian Nationalist towns in Tennessee… with their own “charters” and zero oversight.
This is the new far-right project. www.bytheballot.com/p/the-regres...
This is the new far-right project. www.bytheballot.com/p/the-regres...
Two years ago in another college town, Lily Franklin focused in on the student vote at Tech and lost by 183 votes. She came back 2 years later and won by 2,233.
This year, Andrew Payton did the same thing at JMU and lost only by 257 votes, the closest margin to Tony Wilt in years.
This year, Andrew Payton did the same thing at JMU and lost only by 257 votes, the closest margin to Tony Wilt in years.
November 13, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Two years ago in another college town, Lily Franklin focused in on the student vote at Tech and lost by 183 votes. She came back 2 years later and won by 2,233.
This year, Andrew Payton did the same thing at JMU and lost only by 257 votes, the closest margin to Tony Wilt in years.
This year, Andrew Payton did the same thing at JMU and lost only by 257 votes, the closest margin to Tony Wilt in years.
While ultimately helping federal workers is good here, the reasons we feel we got nothing and the vitriolic response that we in the Democratic base are feeling is from a few fronts:
November 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM
While ultimately helping federal workers is good here, the reasons we feel we got nothing and the vitriolic response that we in the Democratic base are feeling is from a few fronts:
Tonight, Dems went back on our bullshit again and caved for the promise of nothing. People asked for fighters, just when we were finally showing some backbone, spines just crumble under no pressure.
This is why Dems have lost the American people’s trust because of this wishy washy shit.
This is why Dems have lost the American people’s trust because of this wishy washy shit.
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Tonight, Dems went back on our bullshit again and caved for the promise of nothing. People asked for fighters, just when we were finally showing some backbone, spines just crumble under no pressure.
This is why Dems have lost the American people’s trust because of this wishy washy shit.
This is why Dems have lost the American people’s trust because of this wishy washy shit.
Reposted by Matt Royer 🤘🏼
Just bumping this for no particular reason
www.bytheballot.com/p/if-liberal...
www.bytheballot.com/p/if-liberal...
If Liberals Are So F***ing Smart, Why Do They Lose So Goddamn Always?
Honestly.
www.bytheballot.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Just bumping this for no particular reason
www.bytheballot.com/p/if-liberal...
www.bytheballot.com/p/if-liberal...
I just wanted to relax and take a break from the news cycle and watch football man.
C’mon.
C’mon.
November 9, 2025 at 11:29 PM
I just wanted to relax and take a break from the news cycle and watch football man.
C’mon.
C’mon.
There’ll be some folks from outside of Virginia on here taking credit for the historic Dem wins on Tuesday. But don’t be mistaken. Anyone can armchair quarterback.
This was done by Virginians for Virginians.
This was done by Virginians for Virginians.
November 9, 2025 at 4:18 PM
There’ll be some folks from outside of Virginia on here taking credit for the historic Dem wins on Tuesday. But don’t be mistaken. Anyone can armchair quarterback.
This was done by Virginians for Virginians.
This was done by Virginians for Virginians.
Pointing a gun at someone like this without justification is considered aggravated assault in the state of Illinois.
Source: www.ilga.gov/Documents/le...
Source: www.ilga.gov/Documents/le...
November 9, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Pointing a gun at someone like this without justification is considered aggravated assault in the state of Illinois.
Source: www.ilga.gov/Documents/le...
Source: www.ilga.gov/Documents/le...
There were either a ton of young male Trump voters who turned 30 this year
OR
The GOP didn't realize that the reason they won in 2024 was because of the cost of living and economic challenges and relied on Culture War Bullshit™️ and Dems focused on affordability and won them.
OR
The GOP didn't realize that the reason they won in 2024 was because of the cost of living and economic challenges and relied on Culture War Bullshit™️ and Dems focused on affordability and won them.
November 6, 2025 at 4:36 PM
There were either a ton of young male Trump voters who turned 30 this year
OR
The GOP didn't realize that the reason they won in 2024 was because of the cost of living and economic challenges and relied on Culture War Bullshit™️ and Dems focused on affordability and won them.
OR
The GOP didn't realize that the reason they won in 2024 was because of the cost of living and economic challenges and relied on Culture War Bullshit™️ and Dems focused on affordability and won them.
Reposted by Matt Royer 🤘🏼
November 6, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Just think about this:
2017 was considered a historic turnaround for Dems in Virginia. We held the Governor’s Mansion and we took a 34-66 Republican majority down to 49-50 R majority.
Tonight we took back the Governorship and took a 51-49 Dem majority to a 64-36 Dem majority.
2017 was considered a historic turnaround for Dems in Virginia. We held the Governor’s Mansion and we took a 34-66 Republican majority down to 49-50 R majority.
Tonight we took back the Governorship and took a 51-49 Dem majority to a 64-36 Dem majority.
November 5, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Just think about this:
2017 was considered a historic turnaround for Dems in Virginia. We held the Governor’s Mansion and we took a 34-66 Republican majority down to 49-50 R majority.
Tonight we took back the Governorship and took a 51-49 Dem majority to a 64-36 Dem majority.
2017 was considered a historic turnaround for Dems in Virginia. We held the Governor’s Mansion and we took a 34-66 Republican majority down to 49-50 R majority.
Tonight we took back the Governorship and took a 51-49 Dem majority to a 64-36 Dem majority.
I am truly speechless. This result seemed a million miles away last election night.
Tonight is an amazing night. Well done VA Dems. Virginia solidified Blue state status.
Tonight is an amazing night. Well done VA Dems. Virginia solidified Blue state status.
November 5, 2025 at 4:31 AM
I am truly speechless. This result seemed a million miles away last election night.
Tonight is an amazing night. Well done VA Dems. Virginia solidified Blue state status.
Tonight is an amazing night. Well done VA Dems. Virginia solidified Blue state status.
Fork found in the kitchen
November 5, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Fork found in the kitchen
Tonight, Virginia elected:
- the first woman to be Governor
- the first Muslim and AAPI Lt Governor
- the first Black Attorney General
And that is the message Virginia Democrats are sending to the world.
- the first woman to be Governor
- the first Muslim and AAPI Lt Governor
- the first Black Attorney General
And that is the message Virginia Democrats are sending to the world.
November 5, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Tonight, Virginia elected:
- the first woman to be Governor
- the first Muslim and AAPI Lt Governor
- the first Black Attorney General
And that is the message Virginia Democrats are sending to the world.
- the first woman to be Governor
- the first Muslim and AAPI Lt Governor
- the first Black Attorney General
And that is the message Virginia Democrats are sending to the world.
Winsome Sears’s final argument in her speech last night: “During COVID, I bought a cutout of Governor Northam, put a facemask on it, took it to the beach, asked it questions, got upset it didn't answer, put it in my basement, and then it scared me.”
Really wish I was joking:
Really wish I was joking:
November 4, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Winsome Sears’s final argument in her speech last night: “During COVID, I bought a cutout of Governor Northam, put a facemask on it, took it to the beach, asked it questions, got upset it didn't answer, put it in my basement, and then it scared me.”
Really wish I was joking:
Really wish I was joking:
I did 4 hours poll greeting this morning at my precinct and had a steady stream of almost 500 voters come in to vote on Election Day and the vibes were immaculate.
November 4, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I did 4 hours poll greeting this morning at my precinct and had a steady stream of almost 500 voters come in to vote on Election Day and the vibes were immaculate.
Reposted by Matt Royer 🤘🏼
Insane shit. How can this person be getting even 40% of the vote? Should be zero. bluevirginia.us/2025/11/virg... h/t @mattroyer.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Insane shit. How can this person be getting even 40% of the vote? Should be zero. bluevirginia.us/2025/11/virg... h/t @mattroyer.bsky.social
This Winsome Sears’s final arguement for her Gubernatorial: “clean energy doesn’t work because the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow.”
Just…please vote for Abigail Spanberger before November 4 if you haven’t already…please.
Just…please vote for Abigail Spanberger before November 4 if you haven’t already…please.
October 30, 2025 at 12:30 PM
This Winsome Sears’s final arguement for her Gubernatorial: “clean energy doesn’t work because the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow.”
Just…please vote for Abigail Spanberger before November 4 if you haven’t already…please.
Just…please vote for Abigail Spanberger before November 4 if you haven’t already…please.