VaNews
November 4, 2020

Today's Sponsor:


** Donnie Ratliff, Commonwealth Connections, Inc.
------------------------------------------------------------

A consulting company promoting Economic Development, Public Policy and Governmental Affairs for our folks in the Great Southwest.
* Read Online ([link removed])
* 10 Most Clicked ([link removed])
* Refer a Friend ([link removed])

Top of the News


** From VPAP Complete Election Results - Updated Overnight ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

The Virginia Public Access Project

Updated overnight, VPAP provides a complete list of results -- so far -- from Tuesday's election, including the presidential race, congressional elections, ballot initiatives and all races for local office. View maps and charts, which show how an unprecedented number of early votes played an out-sized role in the outcome. Overall, turnout stands at about 71.3%, well below what many had predicted.
------------------------------------------------------------


** From VPAP Absentees pull Spanberger within 273 votes of Freitas, with more than 34,000 still unreported ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

The Virginia Public Access Project

Behind most of the night, Spanberger pulled within 273 votes on a wave of early votes reported early this morning in Henrico and Chesterfield counties. Meanwhile, an estimated 34,000 mail ballots still need to be counted in Spotsylvania County, which by 7 a.m. today had yet to report its central absentee precinct. Also, Henrico County is still processing what VPAP estimates to be more than 10,000 mail ballots received by Election Day but not included in the overnight tally. In absentee voting so far, Spanberger holds a commanding 22-point advantage over Freitas.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Good declares victory over Webb in 5th Congressional District race ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By AMY FRIEDENBERGER, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Republican Bob Good declared victory in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District race late Tuesday, and Democrat Cameron Webb called Good to concede shortly after midnight. The Associated Press had not yet called the race as of 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. There are more than 45,000 outstanding absentee ballots, but Good said he was confident he would be able to maintain his lead, which stood at 6.5 percentage points in unofficial results.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Luria takes lead over Taylor in 2nd Congressional District race ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By KATHERINE HAFNER, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria appears poised to keep her seat representing Virginia’s 2nd District in Congress. She spent several hours trailing Republican challenger Scott Taylor following the polls' closure Tuesday night, while he had a sizable lead among votes cast on Election Day.
------------------------------------------------------------


** In historic change, Virginia voters approve bipartisan commission to handle political redistricting ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By GRAHAM MOOMAW, Virginia Mercury

For years, redistricting reform advocates have been arguing something should be done to curb Virginia’s long history of political gerrymandering. On Tuesday, voters overwhelmingly agreed, passing a constitutional amendment that largely strips the General Assembly of its authority to redraw legislative and congressional districts, a historic shift in a system that dates back to Virginia’s colonial beginnings.
------------------------------------------------------------


** In six rural Virginia counties, residents vote overwhelmingly to keep Confederate monuments ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By NED OLIVER, Virginia Mercury

Voters in six rural counties voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to keep courthouse monuments to the Confederacy — imagery that more populous cities and counties have rushed to remove amid a renewed national reckoning on race. Before this year, local governments were prohibited under state law from removing Confederate statues. New Democratic majorities in the General Assembly changed that earlier this year, passing a law that allowed local governments to remove the memorials, but also giving them the authority to hold ballot referendums to give voters a chance to weigh in before taking action.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Election Day 2020: 'It just feels more important' ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ROBIN EARL AND COY FERRELL, Fauquier Times

Alexis Poland, 72, teared up as she slid her ballot into the scanner at the Warrenton Presbyterian Church polling location. “I always cry when I vote. I’m not sure why. I feel that if I never do anything right all year, at least I voted,” she said. By noon on Tuesday, about 300 people had voted at the courthouse precinct.
The Full Report
75 articles, 25 publications
* Read Online ([link removed])
* 10 Most Clicked ([link removed])
* Refer a Friend ([link removed])


** FROM VPAP
------------------------------------------------------------


** From VPAP Maps, Timeline of COVID-19 in Virginia ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

The Virginia Public Access Project

Our COVID-19 dashboard makes it easy to track the latest available data for tests performed, infections, deaths and hospital capacity. There's a filter for each city and county, plus an exclusive per-capita ZIP Code map. Updated each morning around 10:30 a.m.


** STATE ELECTIONS
------------------------------------------------------------


** Virginians approve turning redistricting over to bipartisan commission ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By RACHEL WEINER, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Virginia voters have approved a constitutional amendment creating a bipartisan redistricting commission after years of court battles over partisan gerrymandering. The measure divided Democratic Party leaders, some of whom were loathe to give up the chance to draw favorable maps for congressional and state legislative districts after years of Republican gerrymandering. But it proved popular with Democratic voters, after a $2 million campaign by reform advocates.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Virginia voters approve bipartisan redistricting commission ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By MATTHEW BARAKAT, Associated Press

Virginia voters on Tuesday approved a referendum that puts redistricting next year in the hands of a bipartisan commission. The amendment to the state constitution caps a yearslong effort by reformers looking to end partisan gerrymandering. A bipartisan commission of citizens and legislators equally divided between Democrats and Republicans will now redraw the state’s congressional and General Assembly districts to conform with the 2020 Census.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Two state constitutional amendments — on gerrymandering and vehicle tax exemption — pass muster ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By PETER DUJARDIN, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Virginians on Tuesday approved a newly created commission to map out congressional and state legislative districts — a move designed to reduce politically motivated gerrymandering. An amendment to change the Virginia constitution to create a panel of 16 people — eight lawmakers and eight citizens — to map out the new districts was leading by 66% to 34% with about 92% of precincts reporting.


** FEDERAL ELECTIONS
------------------------------------------------------------


** Biden claims early win in Virginia, a Southern swing state growing bluer ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By MEL LEONOR, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Former Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday claimed an early victory over President Donald Trump in Virginia, a Southern swing state looking increasingly like a Democratic stronghold. The Associated Press called the contest for the Democratic challenger just after 7:30 p.m., about 30 minutes after polls closed, predicting that Biden would claim Virginia’s 13 electoral college votes. At 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Biden was ahead by 246,000 votes, leading 52.5% to Trump's 46% with 88% of ballots counted.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Warner elected to third term, challenger Daniel Gade not ready to concede ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By MEL LEONOR, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., has won re-election to a third term, fending off a challenge from Republican Daniel Gade, according to preliminary election results from The Associated Press. But Gade, citing formal election returns, declined to concede until all ballots were counted. At 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Warner was ahead by 311,000 votes - 54% to Gade's 46% - while 500,000 votes were still waiting to be counted. The Associated Press called the contest right after the polls closed at 7 p.m., based on what it said was a representative selection of precincts.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Republican Bob Good wins as competitive Virginia congressional seats hang in the balance ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By GREGORY S. SCHNEIDER, MEAGAN FLYNN AND LAURA VOZZELLA, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Former vice president Joe Biden was projected to win Virginia's 13 electoral votes after a hectic Election Day in which ballots that were cast early but counted late made the outcome appear uncertain. A huge batch of absentee votes from Fairfax County that were added to totals after midnight appeared to give the Democrat the edge over President Trump, according to Edison Research projections. U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D) also was projected to defeat GOP challenger Daniel Gade. And in a closely watched congressional race, Republican Bob Good defeated Democrat Cameron Webb in the 5th District.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Biden, Warner win in Virginia as Dems look for blue wave ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Associated Press

Virginia voters on Tuesday awarded the state’s 13 electoral votes to Democrat Joe Biden and returned Democrat Mark Warner to a third term in the U.S. Senate. The election will determine the staying power of a “blue wave” that flipped two competitive congressional districts in the state two years ago. Warner defeated little-known Republican challenger Daniel Gade.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Spanberger, Freitas 7th district race to be decided by absentee ballots ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By VERNON FREEMAN JR., WTVR-TV

As Election Day comes to an end, no winner has been declared in the race for the 7th Congressional House seat. In what was expected to be one of the most competitive races in Central Virginia, Republican challenger Nick Freitas leads Democratic incumbent Abigail Spanberger.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Freitas takes big early lead over Spanberger, but early votes uncounted in suburbs ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper, took a substantial lead over U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, in Election Day voting, but the outcome of the pivotal 7th Congressional District race remained in doubt late Tuesday because of uncounted early votes in the Richmond suburbs. Freitas led by more than 48,000 votes with about 50% of the expected total at 10:30 p.m., but more than 180,000 absentee ballots in Henrico and Chesterfield counties had yet to be counted in a high-dollar, closely contested election that could determine political control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Republican Bob Good fends off Democratic challenger to win Virginia’s 5th District and keep it red ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By MEAGAN FLYNN, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Bob Good set his sights on Virginia’s 5th Congressional District seat just as Rep. Denver Riggleman, the Republican incumbent, faced far-right criticism for officiating a same-sex marriage between two of his staffers. Good attacked Riggleman as out of touch with the district’s conservative values, ousted him in a bitter nominating convention, then won the seat on Election Day, beating Democrat Cameron Webb, according to early and unofficial returns.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Bob Good wins, keeping US House seat in Virginia Republican ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ALAN SUDERMAN AND SARAH RANKIN, Associated Press

Conservative Bob Good has won a Virginia congressional race, keeping a longtime GOP seat in Republican hands, while voters were still waiting early Wednesday to learn the winners of two other competitive House seats. Good defeated Democratic opponent and political newcomer Dr. Cameron Webb. His victory came several months after GOP voters pushed the Republican incumbent, U.S. Rep. Denver Riggleman, aside after Riggleman angered social conservatives by officiating a gay marriage.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Bob Good, Stressing Religious Conservatism, Holds Virginia House Seat for G.O.P. ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By NICHOLAS FANDOS, New York Times (Metered Paywall - 1 to 2 articles a month)

Bob Good, a self-described “biblical conservative” who tied himself closely to President Trump, maintained Republicans’ hold on Virginia’s largest House district early Wednesday, beating back an aggressive challenge by a University of Virginia doctor focused on the coronavirus pandemic. The victory over Dr. Cameron Webb, a Democrat, as called by The Associated Press, was welcome news for Republicans, who had feared they could lose the seat after Mr. Good, a far-right conservative who struggled to raise money, defeated Representative Denver Riggleman in a bitter primary this summer.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Democrat Cameron Webb concedes 5th District US House seat to Republican Bob Good ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Associated Press

Democrat Cameron Webb conceded to Republican Bob Good early Wednesday in the competitive race for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District, which Democrats had hoped to turn blue. The Associated Press has not yet declared in a winner in the race. Good, a former athletics official at evangelical Liberty University, claimed victory in the race prior to Webb's concession.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Good tops Webb in 5th; Luria pulls ahead of Taylor in 2nd ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ANDREW CAIN, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Bob Good, a former Campbell County supervisor and ex-Liberty University employee, held the 5th District congressional seat for the GOP Tuesday, topping Democrat Cameron Webb. As of 1:15 a.m. Good had 53.1% of the vote to 46.6% for Webb, a physician and director of health policy and equity at the University of Virginia. Democrats thought they had an opportunity to pick up the seat after Good ousted Rep. Denver Riggleman, R-5th in a drive-through convention.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Wittman tops Rashid in 1st District ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By STAFF REPORT, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, won a seventh full term Tuesday night, topping Democratic challenger Qasim Rashid. The Associated Press called the contest shortly after 8 p.m. The district includes Hanover and New Kent counties in the Richmond area. It also includes much of the Fredericksburg area and stretches through the Northern Neck to Hampton Roads.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Wittman posts strong lead in 1st Congressional District ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By DAVE RESS, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland, took a strong lead over Democratic challenger Qasim Rashid in his bid for reelection to Congress from the 1st Congressional District. With 89% of precincts reporting, Wittman won 125.821 or 69% of votes counted and Rashid 57,167 or 31%, unofficial results show.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Wexton secures second term in House of Representatives ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By NATHANIEL CLINE, Loudoun Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.-10th) has won a second term in the House of Representatives by defeating political newcomer Aliscia Andrews. Wexton addressed her supporters shortly before 11 p.m. in a video message. "To everyone who had a hand in this campaign and who believed in this campaign, thank you,” Wexton said.
------------------------------------------------------------


** McEachin pulls ahead of Benjamin in 4th District, but early votes still out in Richmond and suburbs ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By MICHAEL MARTZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

U.S. Rep. Donald McEachin, D-4th, moved into a slight lead late Tuesday as he sought to withstand a challenge by Republican Leon Benjamin and retain his seat representing the 4th Congressional District. McEachin inched ahead of Benjamin by fewer than 1,000 votes just before midnight, but more than 150,000 early absentee ballots remained uncounted in Richmond and the suburbs of Chesterfield and Henrico counties.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Cline Cruises To Second Term ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By KATHLEEN SHAW, Daily News Record (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

U.S. Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, has played legislative ball since 1994 and served in the Virginia General Assembly since 2002, and he shows no sign of slowing down. After months of campaigning, Cline looks to be adding another notch in his belt with a vote count of 173,290 to 74,141 in his favor as of 10:25 p.m. for two more years representing Virginia’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Latino voters weigh in on Trump, Biden ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ADA ROMANO, VCU Capital News Service

Anita Davila, a Mexican immigrant from Chicago, is excited to wear her “Trump 2020” face mask to vote in her first presidential election. Davila is one of millions of United States immigrants who are now eligible to vote. Ten percent of U.S. voters are naturalized citizens -- a 93% jump since 2000, according to the Pew Research Center.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Party faithful devote long days at polling places ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By DON DEL ROSSO, Fauquier Now

The 80-year-old Sumerduck Republican pulled three shifts volunteering for her party at Southern Fauquier voting places Tuesday. Betty Brown ended Election Day at about 4 p.m. at Mary Walter Elementary School, the Morrisville Precinct polling place. Mrs. Brown worked four hours there and two at the Bealeton polling place, Cedar Lee Middle School.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Virginia voters sour on state of nation ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Associated Press

Voters in Virginia made their pick for president while holding negative views about the country’s direction, according to an expansive AP survey of the American electorate. The race between President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden concluded Tuesday as the nation remains in the throes of a global public health crisis and mired in the economic downturn it brought on.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Few lines, almost no waits: Record early turnout transformed Election Day in most of D.C. region ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ERIN COX, ANTONIO OLIVO, OVETTA WIGGINS AND MICHAEL BRICE-SADDLER, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Voters in the Washington region so faithfully heeded warnings to cast ballots early and avoid Election Day lines that Tuesday saw almost no crowds at all. More than 5 million people in the region voted early, leaving an armada of masked and gloved poll workers to greet a much smaller pool of the electorate. In many places, veteran volunteers warned first-time election judges to prep for a traditional early-morning rush that never materialized.
------------------------------------------------------------


** 'Never too late:' Richmond woman, 76, votes for the first time after having her voting rights restored ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By HOLLY PRESTIDGE, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Access to this article limited to subscribers)

“I did a deed today.” A simple statement that belied the enormity of something Jean Ward, a 76-year-old resident of Richmond’s Highland Park Senior Home, has waited for decades — the right to vote. Ward voted Tuesday for the first time.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Short line at your polling place? That’s because 46% of Virginia voters cast ballots before Tuesday ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

You’re not imagining things. Voting in person on Tuesday was likely a breeze. Even before polling places opened at 6 a.m. this morning, 2.75 million of Virginia’s 5.9 million registered voters had already cast ballots, said Christopher Piper, Virginia’s Department of Elections commissioner.


** STATE GOVERNMENT
------------------------------------------------------------


** GO Virginia funds $9M in workforce development, economic recovery grants ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By SYDNEY LAKE, Va Business Magazine

The Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) state economic development initiative has allocated grants totaling more than $9 million for workforce development and assisting communities with economic recovery, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. A $7.8 million allocation will support 11 regional projects and two statewide projects aimed at workforce development initiatives.


** ECONOMY/BUSINESS
------------------------------------------------------------


** Another delay, cost increase for the Mountain Valley Pipeline ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By LAURENCE HAMMACK, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

The Mountain Valley Pipeline has once again pushed its completion date back and the project cost up. Equitrans Midstream Corp., the lead partner in a joint venture of five energy companies that has faced widespread environmental problems while building the natural gas pipeline, made the announcement Tuesday.


** HIGHER EDUCATION
------------------------------------------------------------


** FEC data demonstrate active political engagement, Democratic campaign support among W&M employees ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ETHAN BROWN AND MATT LOWRIE, Flat Hat

According to Federal Elections Commission data, College of William and Mary employees cumulatively donated $127,380 over the past two years to political campaigns and interest groups with the median donation being just $10. Donation rates in 2020 have already outpaced contributions from College staff made in 2016 during the last general election by more than $10,000. An overwhelming majority of donors chose to support Democratic candidates and political action committees (PACs).


** CORONAVIRUS
------------------------------------------------------------


** Virginia COVID-19 cases rise by 1,261 from Monday ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

The Virginia Department of Health reported Tuesday that the statewide total for COVID-19 cases is 184,679 — an increase of 1,261 from the 183,418 reported Monday. The 184,679 cases consist of 170,577 confirmed cases and 14,102 probable cases. There are 3,666 COVID-19 deaths in Virginia — 3,408 confirmed and 258 probable. That’s an increase of 8 from the 3,658 reported Monday.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Health official warns of risk of COVID spread among families ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By LUANNE RIFE, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

The director of the New River Health District on Tuesday warned of the risk that families have in spreading the coronavirus to their relatives. As cumulative case counts pushed past 3,000 in Montgomery County, Dr. Noelle Bissell said COVID-19 still has two stories to tell in her district — cases among college students and cases in the community.
------------------------------------------------------------


** 10 deputies, 70 inmates in Virginia Beach test positive for the coronavirus ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ROBYN SIDERSKY, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Ten Virginia Beach Sheriff’s deputies and 70 inmates in the Virginia Beach Correctional Center have tested positive for Covid-19, officials said. The sheriff’s office and the Virginia Department of Health tested more than 1,500 inmates, deputies, civilians and contractors between Oct. 28 and 30, according to a news release.


** VIRGINIA OTHER
------------------------------------------------------------


** Chesapeake Bay gets good news: Dead zones shrank this year ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By DAVE RESS, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

Chesapeake Bay dead zones were a lot smaller this summer than in recent years, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science says. The Bay — and especially the crabs, fish and shellfish that suffocate in the low-oxygen, “hypoxic” water of a dead zone — benefited from a cooler spring and fall, brisk summer winds and continued efforts to cut runoff, VIMS said.


** LOCAL
------------------------------------------------------------


** Charles City, 5 other Va. counties appear not to favor removing Confederate statues ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ANDREW CAIN, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Voters in Charles City County appeared to be voting no Tuesday in an advisory referendum asking whether the county should remove a Confederate statue located next to the county courthouse. More than 55% of county voters voted no and about 45% of the county’s voters said yes.
------------------------------------------------------------


** By wide margin, Virginia voters in four cities are saying yes to casino construction ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ERIC KOLENICH, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Voters in four Virginia cities Tuesday appeared to overwhelmingly support plans to build casinos there. Voters in Bristol and Danville approved referendums to green light casino gambling at pre-determined locations, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections. Casinos were on track to be approved in Norfolk and Portsmouth, though not all votes had been counted by deadline.
------------------------------------------------------------


** All four Va. casino referendums pass in landslide ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By KATE ANDREWS, Va Business Magazine

Voters in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth overwhelmingly supported local referendums allowing four commercial casinos to be built in their cities, with results declared two hours after polls closed at 7 p.m.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Amendments, local races and bond issues on the ballot in Virginia ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By RICK MASSIMO, WTOP

Along with the commonwealth’s U.S. House delegation and one of its two senators, voters in Virginia are deciding two constitutional amendments and a host of local races and bond issues. The counting has taken longer than usual, because of the large number of absentee and mail-in ballots cast.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Biden, Dems Win Big in Arlington ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

ArlNow

To no one’s surprise, the Arlington electorate has turned out in a big way for the Democratic ticket. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris have 80.7% of the vote to 17.1% for President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in Arlington, with more than 120,000 votes counted and 54 out of 55 precincts reporting.
------------------------------------------------------------


** President Trump Visits His Election HQ in Rosslyn ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

ArlNow

President Donald Trump visited Arlington on Election Day. The president greeted campaign staff at his national reelection headquarters, located in an otherwise unremarkable Rosslyn office tower, as voters nationwide continue to head to the polls. The presidential motorcade arrived around 12:15 p.m. A few dozen Trump supporters waved signs and flags across from the headquarters for the president’s arrival, as police blocked several streets in the area.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Loudoun County goes for Biden ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By KAREN GRAHAM, Loudoun Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

While the country was still awaiting the final outcome of the presidential election around 10 p.m. Tuesday, Democratic nominee Joe Biden won the Loudoun County vote with 61 percent compared to Republican President Donald J. Trump's 37 percent.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Democrats sweep Manassas City Council races, Davis-Younger will be city's first Black, female mayor ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By STAFF REPORTS, Prince William Times

Democrats appear to have swept the races for Manassas mayor and city council, with Councilwoman Michelle Davis Younger winning the mayor's race by fewer than 400 votes. With all seven precincts reporting, Davis-Younger, a Democrat, had won 7,903 votes, or 51.2% of the ballots counted, compared to Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis, a Republican, who garnered 7,514 votes or about 49% of the vote.
------------------------------------------------------------


** 'Smooth' voting reported for local residents who headed to polls Tuesday ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JOHN REID BLACKWELL, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Voters throughout the Richmond region went to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots in a contentious election marked by a wave of early, absentee, and mail-in voting because of the coronavirus pandemic. Some voters who cast ballots in person on Tuesday said they did so out of concern that mail-in votes could be challenged.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Results remain unclear for most Richmond City Council races ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By C. SUAREZ ROJAS, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Late Tuesday there were still no clear winners in seven of the nine Richmond City Council races. Council will have two new members next year, but with absentee ballots not yet accounted for in election results being reported on the city’s website, it was still too early to tell who those members would be
------------------------------------------------------------


** Stoney with slight edge in Richmond mayoral race; absentee results still unknown ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By MARK ROBINSON, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

With most results still outstanding, the winner of Richmond’s mayoral race remained up in the air as of early Wednesday. While inconclusive, early returns made clear that three candidates were jockeying for an outright victory or one of two spots in a potential runoff: incumbent Levar Stoney; Councilwoman Kimberly B. “Kim” Gray; and Alexsis E. Rodgers, director of Virginia CARE in Action.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Rural Voters Go To The Polls ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By WHITTNEY EVANS, WCVE-FM

Voting lines in Goochland and Powhatan were long at sunrise but petered out through the afternoon. Voter Sylvia Diersen set up a Trump sign-covered tent outside the St. Mary’s Episcopal Church precinct in Goochland. She said she voted a straight Republican ticket. “There’s so much about our ticket to be proud of, and I can’t imagine not winning. I just can’t,” Dierson said. She made note of how important voting in person was to her.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Virginia Beach mayor, four council incumbents win re-election ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ALISSA SKELTON AND STACY PARKER, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

The mayor and four incumbent council members won their re-election bids early Wednesday morning. Mayor Bobby Dyer and three other incumbents led their races from the beginning, but Councilwoman Sabrina Wooten came from behind after midnight when early voting and absentee ballots were reported.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Most Virginia Beach School Board incumbents on track to win re-election ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By PETER COUTU, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

With five of 11 seats up for grabs on the Virginia Beach School Board, a majority of voters opted to stick with incumbents. Only Dan Edwards, a long-time board member and former chair, ended the night behind trailing his challenger, Jennifer Franklin.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Voters bet on casinos as Norfolk and Portsmouth vote to allow gambling ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By RYAN MURPHY, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

The house always wins. As of press time Tuesday, casino operators were poised to score big wins in both Norfolk and Portsmouth, with early totals showing voters overwhelmingly approving a pair of referendums clearing the way for casino developments in those cities.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Man arrested in threat to bomb Norfolk polling place ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JESSICA NOLTE, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

A 63-year-old man was charged Tuesday with threatening to bomb a polling place in Norfolk, according to a fire department spokeswoman. Around 12:20 p.m. the Norfolk Fire-Rescue’s Office of the Fire Marshal was called to 1122 W. Princess Anne Rd. at Taylor Elementary School for a reported disturbance at the polling station.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Shannon Glover leading Danny Meeks in race for Portsmouth mayor ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ANA LEY, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

After four years of racially divided votes under a majority-white City Council, Portsmouth voters drastically changed course Tuesday by electing four Black candidates, including a new mayor, to lead this majority-Black city. Sitting council member Shannon Glover, who is Black, led Danny Meeks, who is white, with a comfortable margin in the race for mayor.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Election Day voting 'a trusted process' for many Fredericksburg-area residents ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By ROB HEDELT, TAFT COGHILL AND SCOTT SHENK, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

Margaret Cook drove from North Carolina to New City Fellowship Church in Fredericksburg to vote in person Tuesday. Cook, whose husband is in the military, is registered in Fredericksburg and said she typically votes with an absentee ballot. But in a tense election season, she was uncomfortable with that process.
------------------------------------------------------------


** A few morning voters get wrong ballots at Lee Hill Elementary in Spotsylvania ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By SCOTT SHENK, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

Some morning voters in Spotsylvania County’s Lee Hill District got the wrong congressional ballots Tuesday morning. Voters who cast ballots at Lee Hill Elementary School were supposed to have the 1st District congressional race between Republican Rob Wittman and Democrat Qasim Rashid on their ballots, but the ballots listed the 7th District race between Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Nick Freitas instead.
------------------------------------------------------------


** New U.S. Citizen Unable To Vote; Another Smiles As He Casts First Ballot ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By IAN MUNRO AND KATHLEEN SHAW, Daily News Record (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Jose Y Reys-Vasquez, 64, of Harrisonburg, was excited to vote in his first U.S. election. However, when he went to vote at Thomas Harrison Middle School Tuesday, he was turned away. "I wanted to vote. It's important to choose the president, but I couldn't,” he said in Spanish. “In four more years, I’ll vote."
------------------------------------------------------------


** Voting in person, Staunton man told he'd already voted early ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By LAURA PETERS, News Leader (Metered Paywall - 3 to 4 articles a month)

Scott Hensley went to vote shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday morning. He voted at the same spot for years — the Third Presbyterian Church on Barterbrook Road in Staunton. He walked up, showed his ID and was told that the system indicated he had already vote via absentee ballot. "As 2020 continues to amaze, I went to vote this morning and was told that I already voted," he wrote on his Facebook page.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Gordon Helsel returns to Poquoson as mayor ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By NOOR ADATIA, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

Gordon Helsel was elected mayor of Poquoson in an uncontested race Tuesday night, returning to the position after 10 years as a state delegate. Helsel, 70, has said he is looking forward to return as mayor and serving a community that welcomed him in.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Gloucester votes in favor of tax increase to fund school projects ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JOSH REYES, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

Along with selecting their representatives at the federal level, Gloucester County residents voted in favor of a 1% sales tax increase that would support school construction, repairs and maintenance. According to complete unofficial election results, 13,436 had voted in favor of the measure and 8,248 against, a split of 62% to 38%. Advertisem
------------------------------------------------------------


** Voters in region find calm Election Day, share some opinions ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By MIKE GANGLOFF, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Election Day arrived gently across the Roanoke and New River valleys Tuesday, with little of the frenzy of the presidential campaigns that preceded it or the dread stoked by an ongoing pandemic. In Pembroke, Kristie Breeding said that this election season seemed more volatile than any other – but that she had no worries about venturing out, and bringing her 8-year-old daughter Hailee with her, to vote in person at the volunteer fire department.
------------------------------------------------------------


** In a first, Roanoke elects a majority Black city council ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By CLAIRE MITZEL, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Roanoke made history on Tuesday night when voters elected the city's first-ever majority Black city council. Incumbent Democrat Trish White-Boyd, Democrat Robert Jeffrey Jr. and independent Stephanie Moon Reynolds won the three open seats in a crowded eight-way race that came down to the record-high number of ballots cast ahead of Election Day.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Lea wins second term as Roanoke mayor ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By RALPH BERRIER JR., Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

The early vote came in late, but just in time for Sherman Lea. Lea, Roanoke’s first-term Democratic mayor, appeared to have fended off challenger David Bowers thanks to an overwhelming performance among voters who cast early ballots during a pandemic-affected election season.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Franklin County activists vow to press on despite statue referendum results ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By MIKE ALLEN, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

A majority of Franklin County voters want the statue of a Confederate soldier that stands in front of the courthouse in Rocky Mount to stay put, judging by a vote tally that was mostly complete Tuesday night. With 22 of 24 precincts reporting late Tuesday, there was more than a 3-to-1 margin in favor of the monument staying where it is.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Voters in Henry and Patrick counties approve 1% sales tax for school construction ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By KIM BARTO MEEKS, Martinsville Bulletin (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Voters in Henry and Patrick counties have approved a ballot referendum to raise local sales tax by 1%, with the proceeds going to the county school districts for capital needs. Unofficial results from both localities Tuesday night showed a similar split for and against. In Henry County, 54.44% voted yes, and 45.56% voted no, with all 25 precincts reporting. Patrick County approved the measure 55.34% to 44.66%, with all 14 precincts reporting.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Veteran election official loves long, “crazy” day ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By DON DEL ROSSO, Fauquier Now

The Opal Precinct chief knows a little “kindness” goes a long way. Election officials at Liberty High School in Bealeton — like those at Fauquier’s other 19 polling places — take a full range of measures to protect voters and themselves from COVID-19. They wear masks and use hand and hard-surface sanitizers.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Kettle Run Precinct starts day with wrong ballots ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By LAWRENCE EMERSON, Fauquier Now

The Kettle Run Precinct — one of 20 polling places in Fauquier — started Election Day with the wrong ballots. A “human error” sent ballots that included the 1st Congressional District — instead of the 5th District — to the polling place at Kettle Run High School, Fauquier General Registrar Alex Ables said. The precinct scanner rejected the first 30 ballots that voters inserted soon after the polls opened at 6 a.m. and held them in an “emergency bin,” Mr. Ables explained.
------------------------------------------------------------


** When 30 Va. voters got the wrong ballot, their community rallied to make it right ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By MEGAN CLOHERTY, WTOP

The community rallied to make sure 30 voters in Fauquier County, Virginia had their votes properly counted after election officials realized they had received the wrong ballot. When the county elections staff realized the mistake the morning of Election Day, the county registrar quickly organized a team to track down each voter.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Medical Reserve Corps, poll watchers staff precincts in unique election ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By RICHARD CHUMNEY, News & Advance (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Brad Harris was more than happy to spend Election Day wiping down voting booths. As a member of the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps, Harris was among several medical professionals who staffed polling places Tuesday to help keep voters and election officials safe amid the coronavirus pandemic.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Danville voters place bet to bring Caesars casino resort to former mill site ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By PARKER COTTON, Danville Register & Bee

Danville voters — by way of a referendum — rolled the dice to allow Caesars to move forward with plans to turn a former mill site in Schoolfield into a casino and hotel resort. In unofficial results, 13,022 residents voted in favor of Tuesday's referendum and 5,941 were against.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Bristol Virginia voters overwhelmingly approve Hard Rock casino ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By DAVID MCGEE, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

Bristol Virginia voters today overwhelmingly approved the proposed Hard Rock Hotel & Casino resort planned for the former Bristol Mall property. The $400 million project received 5,547 affirmative votes compared to 2,221 votes against.

Today's Sponsor:


** Donnie Ratliff, Commonwealth Connections, Inc.
------------------------------------------------------------

A consulting company promoting Economic Development, Public Policy and Governmental Affairs for our folks in the Great Southwest.


** EDITORIALS
------------------------------------------------------------


** Confederate flag is quietly removed ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Free Lance-Star Editorial (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

The large Confederate battle flag that could often be seen flying over the treetops from Interstate 95 in Falmouth was taken down last week for the most prosaic of reasons: the Virginia Department of Transportation needed the land where the 80-foot flagpole stood since 2014 to complete the Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing and FREDEx lanes projects. So VDOT seized the parcel by invoking eminent domain.
------------------------------------------------------------


** 5 questions for the day after the election ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Roanoke Times Editorial (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Good morning. We’ll make a wild guess: Depending on the election results, some of you are happy and some of you aren’t. Regardless of which of you are in which category, some questions for the day after the election remain the same, so let’s get to them: 1. Did the election resolve the sharply polarized nature of the United States? Not likely.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Don’t let election enthusiasm go to waste ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Virginian-Pilot Editorial (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

About 100 million Americans cast ballots in the days and weeks leading up to Election Day, a remarkable level of participation that puts the nation on track to set a record for turnout. But the work doesn’t end now that the polls are closed. It takes considerable effort to build strong communities with robust and reliable institutions that faithfully serve the public —work that should not be left to others. So take this day to explore ways to get involved in civic affairs and commit to a course of action.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Fairfax County’s seismic changes ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Washington Post Editorial (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Both presidential campaigns largely ignored Virginia this year, certain that the state, once the seat of the Confederacy and a mainstay of the Jim Crow South, is now solid Democratic territory. For that the parties can credit (or blame) one locality more than any other: Fairfax County.


** COLUMNISTS
------------------------------------------------------------


** Schapiro: It's Va. Democrats' turn to live in an 'insta-call' state ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JEFF E. SCHAPIRO, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

When it comes to presidential politics in Virginia, Democrats now know what Republicans went through. Former Vice President Joe Biden’s victory in Virginia — the fourth consecutive Democratic presidential win here since 2008 — affirms the state’s blue hue, with its voting strength concentrated in about a dozen increasingly diverse cities and suburban counties, most of them between Northern Virginia and Virginia Beach.


** OP-ED
------------------------------------------------------------


** Milliken: Virginia's port matters to the whole state ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JOHN G. MILLIKEN, published in Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Last week, the Board of Commissioners of the Virginia Port Authority appointed Stephen A. Edwards as the new CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. Upon his arrival in January of 2021, Edwards will become the fourth executive director in the nearly 50-year history of The Port of Virginia. John Reinhart helped secure the position of The Port of Virginia as a leader in the maritime industry by modernizing the port’s infrastructure and rebuilding its reputation, brand and competitiveness.

Milliken is chairman of the Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners
------------------------------------------------------------


** Boysko: Let's set the record straight. Broadband is a priority in Virginia ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By JENNIFER BOYSKO, published in Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

There’s a lot on the minds of Virginians right now. However, when it comes to the effort of providing broadband to unserved areas of the commonwealth, politics should take a back seat. Claims that our General Assembly “scrapped” broadband efforts during the Special Session are just plain false. Facts matter, and the fact is that Virginia just invested its largest amount ever toward expanding broadband to unserved areas.

Boysko, a Democratic state senator from Fairfax County, is the Chair of Virginia’s Broadband Advisory Council, where she serves with her Senate colleagues Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr., Ghazala Hashmi, and House colleagues Chris Hurst and other delegates.
------------------------------------------------------------


** Cowen: Vaccine politics will soon replace election politics ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

By TYLER COWEN, published in Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Heading into Tuesday’s U.S. general election, speculation was rife as to whether a Joe Biden victory might herald a big leftward shift, or what kind of chaos a second term for President Donald Trump would bring. The immediate task for either president, however, is likely to be more mundane and less ideological — and guaranteed to displease most Americans. The issue that is likely to dominate political discussion for some while, even before Jan. 20, is how to handle and distribute new coronavirus treatments.

Tyler Cowen is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is a professor of economics at George Mason University.


** Invite Friends to read VaNews
------------------------------------------------------------
Invite two friends to read VaNews and you'll receive VaViews, a weekly compilation of commentary from a variety of viewpoints.
b96c18c0-73d7-4f80-ba25-a96795413390.png
You don't have any referrals yet.
Share VaNews with a friend ([link removed])

Or use your personal referral link:
[link removed]

For questions email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
Participation in the VaNews Referral Program constitutes your acceptance of the VPAP Terms and Conditions of Use ([link removed]) .
------------------------------------------------------------
Donate ([link removed]) Subscribe ([link removed]) Content Policy ([link removed]) Privacy ([link removed])

============================================================

This email was sent to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
why did I get this? ([link removed]) unsubscribe from this list ([link removed]) update subscription preferences ([link removed])
Virginia Public Access Project . P.O. Box 1472 . Richmond, VA 23218 . USA