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Markus Schmidt

@mschmidtrva.bsky.social

850 followers 110 following 120 posts

Sr. politics reporter | deputy editor Virginia Mercury (Richmond, VA) [email protected]

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Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 7h

🧨 GOP gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears failed to disclose a $12,000 “gift” and multiple donor-funded trips on her ethics forms.

The omissions are part of a years-long pattern now raising questions about her transparency and trust in government

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/08/f...

Financial disclosure gaps, questionable gifts cloud Earle-Sears’ bid for governor • Virginia Mercury

Virginia Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears built her political brand on transparency and accountability. But a closer look at her public filings reveals a pattern of omissions and i...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 1d

Virginia’s joint cannabis commission heard starkly different visions for launching retail sales — from fixing medical labeling gaps to tackling illicit products and preventing corporate capture.

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/07/v...

Virginia cannabis panel weighs retail roadmap against safety, access and equity concerns • Virginia Mercury

Virginia’s bipartisan Joint Commission to Oversee Transition of the Commonwealth into a Retail Cannabis Market spent Monday afternoon plowing through several dense presentations that, taken together, ...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 2d

Rematch in Virginia’s #HD71: Anderson vs. Batten again after 2023’s 667‐vote margin.

New lines mix Williamsburg, James City & booming New Kent. Key battleground on housing, tourism, traffic & wages — where turnout & money may decide it. #VAleg

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/06/g...

Growth, tourism and turnout collide in House District 71 rematch • Virginia Mercury

In Virginia’s House District 71, Democrat Jessica Anderson and Republican Del. Amanda Batten are back for a rematch that was decided by just 667 votes in 2023. With control of the House in play, the s...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 3d

🚨Virginia AG race rocked by scandal: Democrat Jay Jones admits sending 2022 texts fantasizing about shooting ex-House Speaker Todd Gilbert and apologizes for his “grave mistake.”

Republicans — from Trump to Youngkin — call for him to drop out.

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/05/b...

‘Beyond disqualifying’: Jay Jones controversy jolts Virginia’s pivotal 2025 elections • Virginia Mercury

What began as a quiet October Friday in Virginia politics erupted into a full-blown national scandal when screenshots of private, three-year old text messages showing Democratic attorney general nomin...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 5d

The ACLU of Virginia has filed a class-action lawsuit accusing ICE of unlawfully jailing immigrant minors who’ve already won legal protections.

The suit says kids with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status are being “warehoused” in VA detention centers.

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/02/a...

ACLU of Virginia sues ICE over detention of immigrant children with legal protections • Virginia Mercury

The ACLU of Virginia has filed a class action lawsuit accusing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of unlawfully detaining young people in the commonwealth who already have, or are in the p...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 6d

🚨New Emerson poll: Abigail Spanberger 52%, Winsome Earle-Sears 42% in Virginia governor’s race.

The Democrat surges with independents, men & voters under 50 — groups that fueled her double-digit lead. Top issue for voters: the economy.

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/02/s...

New poll: Spanberger takes 10-point lead, makes gains with younger voters in Va. governor's race • Virginia Mercury

Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger has opened a double-digit lead over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in Virginia’s governor’s race, according to a new Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey that ...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 6d

NEW: LG nominee John Reid was a registered foreign agent during his 2011–14 Qorvis years, filing under FARA when considered for a Fiji contract.

He says it was PR-only and he never worked on Saudi or Fiji; Qorvis says it complies fully with DOJ rules.

virginiamercury.com/2025/10/02/r...

Reid’s tenure as registered foreign agent faces fresh scrutiny in LG bid • Virginia Mercury

On a Monday evening in early September, a mix of Virginia politicos and Washington regulars filed into Butterworth’s, the Capitol Hill newcomer profiled by Washingtonian this spring as “the MAGA crowd...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 8d

🚨 A spokesman for the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs blames “radical liberals in Congress” for any shutdown fallout, warning some services could pause while core health care & benefits continue.

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 9d

Big money, tiny margins define the rematch in #HD41 in Southwest Virginia.

Incumbent Chris Obenshain won by just 183 votes in 2023 — now Democrat Lily Franklin is back with more funds, fresh momentum, and a promise of change. #valeg

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/29/b...

Big money, tight margins define Obenshain–Franklin rematch in House District 41 • Virginia Mercury

Two years after a nail-biting finish, Democrat Lily Franklin and Del. Chris Obenshain, the Republican incumbent, are locked in a rematch in Virginia’s House of Delegates District 41 — a contest that c...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 12d

UPDATE: Dinwiddie Sheriff's Office releases the name of the suspect: Michael Ray Strawmeyer, 33, of DeWitt.

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 12d

Dinwiddie deputies have arrested a suspect accused of sending a politically motivated death threat to Del. Kim Taylor, R-Petersburg.

Taylor’s campaign says she is safe and “remains focused on serving her constituents.”

Full story:

virginiamercury.com/briefs/dinwi...

Dinwiddie sheriff’s deputies arrest suspect in death threat against Del. Kim Taylor • Virginia Mercury

The Dinwiddie County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect Thursday in connection with a politically motivated death threat made against Del. Kim Taylor, R-Petersburg.Maj. William Knott of the sheriff’s...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 14d

🚨Va. GOP Sen. Bryce Reeves is running for U.S. Senate in 2026, challenging Democrat Mark Warner.

Reeves cites his Army + law enforcement background; Dems call him a “perennial candidate” tied to Trump.

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/24/g...

GOP state Sen. Reeves launches 2026 US Senate bid, aims to unseat Warner • Virginia Mercury

Virginia state Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania, launched his campaign Wednesday for the U.S. Senate, setting up a high-stakes 2026 challenge to three-term Democratic Sen. Mark Warner.Reeves made his...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 14d

Voters in Stafford have filed suit to remove Democrat Stacey Carroll from the ballot, alleging she doesn’t reside in House District 64.

Carroll pushes back, calling the charges “false and insulting,” especially for military families who relocate.

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/24/s...

Stafford voters sue to kick House candidate off ballot over residency dispute • Virginia Mercury

Three Stafford County voters are asking a judge to remove Democratic House of Delegates nominee Stacey Carroll from the ballot, arguing she doesn’t actually live in the district where she registered t...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 14d

Sen. Hashmi responds to former Sen. Joe Morrissey’s endorsement of her Republican opponent ⬇️

Ghazala Hashmi @senatorhashmi.bsky.social · 14d

I’m proud to have not received this endorsement for our campaign today. Thank you to everyone else for all of the support!

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 14d

🚨Virginia twist: Former state Sen. Joe Morrissey, long a maverick Dem, is backing GOP LG nominee John Reid over Ghazala Hashmi.

Morrissey says Hashmi is “strictly partisan” & touts Reid’s “common sense” — but he’s still with Spanberger & Jones on the ticket.

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/23/m...

Morrissey breaks with Democrats, backs GOP’s John Reid for lieutenant governor • Virginia Mercury

John Reid, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, on Tuesday launched Democrats for John Reid, a coalition of Virginia Democrats publicly lining up behind his candidacy — a twist that promise...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · 15d

NEW: GOP-leaning House of Delegates districts are outpacing Democratic ones in Virginia’s first week of early voting.

Of the 20 districts with the highest turnout, 11 are strongly or lean Republican, 5 strongly Democratic, 4 are competitive. #VALeg

virginiamercury.com/2025/09/23/g...

GOP districts take early lead in Virginia’s first week of early voting • Virginia Mercury

Early voting in Virginia began just last week, but the first wave of ballots already shows Republican-leaning House of Delegates districts pulling ahead of their Democratic counterparts.

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · Aug 27

🚨 Republicans rip Spanberger after she vows to repeal Youngkin’s immigration order.

Youngkin calls it a “sanctuary state” move, Earle-Sears says Spanberger “puts criminals over Virginians.“

virginiamercury.com/2025/08/27/r...

Republicans hammer Spanberger over vow to repeal Youngkin immigration order • Virginia Mercury

Republicans wasted no time pouncing on Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger’s promise to rescind Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s directive that requires Virginia law enforcement to help federal i...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · Aug 27

NEW: Spanberger vows to rescind Gov. Youngkin’s Feb executive order that forces VA law enforcement to help carry out immigration crackdowns.

She calls it a misuse of local resources and a threat to community trust #VAGov

virginiamercury.com/2025/08/27/s...

Spanberger vows to scrap Youngkin’s immigration order if elected governor • Virginia Mercury

Democratic nominee for governor Abigail Spanberger says one of her first acts if elected would be to undo Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s February directive requiring Virginia law enforcement to help carry out ...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · Aug 21

Va.’s cannabis market is still in limbo: legal to possess, illegal to buy.

A new bipartisan commission met for the 2nd time Wed., weighing taxation, equity & small biz rules ahead of a 2026 retail launch.

Spanberger backs legalization — Youngkin vetoed it.

virginiamercury.com/2025/08/21/j...

Joint commission hears roadmaps for Virginia’s retail cannabis rollout • Virginia Mercury

Virginia’s long-delayed path toward a legal cannabis marketplace took another step forward Wednesday as the state’s new bipartisan commission convened for its second meeting at the Capitol, listening ...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · Aug 19

NEW: Spanberger’s lead shrinks:

Roanoke poll shows her up 46–39% on Earle-Sears, with LG & AG races neck-and-neck. #VAGov

virginiamercury.com/2025/08/19/n...

New poll shows Spanberger ahead, but Earle-Sears closes gap • Virginia Mercury

Democrat Abigail Spanberger holds 7-point lead over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in Virginia gubernatorial race in new Roanoke College Poll

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · Aug 11

Dozens rallied outside Richmond City Hall Monday, denouncing recent ICE detentions in Virginia and urging the city to ban local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Advocates say most detainees had no criminal record.

virginiamercury.com/2025/08/11/p...

Protesters in Richmond call for ban on local cooperation with ICE after wave of detentions • Virginia Mercury

Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside Richmond City Hall Monday afternoon to protest what they called an escalation of immigration enforcement across Virginia and to demand the city cut ties with f...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · Jul 31

Tired of voting every year? Virginia lawmakers are too. 🗳️

A new legislative panel is weighing a switch to even-year elections to boost turnout. #VALeg

virginiamercury.com/2025/07/31/i...

Is it time for Virginia to stop holding elections every year? Lawmakers are taking a serious look • Virginia Mercury

In a year when Virginia voters will choose their next governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and all 100 members of the House of Delegates, a little-noticed legislative panel is asking a pote...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · Jul 29

NEW: @jennmcclellanva.bsky.social is challenging Gov. Youngkin’s claim that 2,500 immigrants detained in VA were “violent offenders.”

“I don’t believe it,” she said after visiting Chesterfield court, where ICE raids continue.  
virginiamercury.com/2025/07/29/i...

‘I don’t believe it’: McClellan challenges Youngkin on immigrant arrest claims • Virginia Mercury

After visiting Chesterfield courthouse swept by ICE, Democratic congresswoman presses DHS for answers and unveils bill to track wrongful detentions.

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · Jul 23

NEW: AG Miyares says 2,500 immigrants arrested by Va. task force may have violated immigration law — but offers no evidence they were violent criminals, as Youngkin claimed

virginiamercury.com/2025/07/23/m...

Miyares offers no proof that 2,500 immigrants arrested by Va. task force were violent offenders • Virginia Mercury

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares on Wednesday declined to provide evidence to support Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s recent claim that more than 2,500 people arrested through the Virginia Homeland Secur...

virginiamercury.com

Markus Schmidt @mschmidtrva.bsky.social · Jul 21

New legal filings in federal lawsuit challenge Virginia’s ban on voting for people with felony convictions.

ACLU and allies say the policy violates the 1870 Readmission Act — and could impact 300K+ Virginians. Trial set for Oct. 2025.

virginiamercury.com/2025/07/21/l...

Lawsuit over Virginia’s felon voting ban gains steam with new legal filings • Virginia Mercury

In a high-stakes voting rights battle with roots in the Reconstruction era, civil rights groups on Friday filed two new motions in a federal lawsuit that could restore voting rights to thousands of Vi...

virginiamercury.com