11/6/25 - Democrats continue to sweep Virginia elections
Showing mention at 0:29 — highlighted below
Transcript
18 segmentsYou're listening to the VPM Daily Newscast, the recap of today's top stories in central Virginia. From the VPM newsroom in Charlottesville, I'm Megan Moore. Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin thanked Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and Attorney General Jason Miaris on Wednesday and congratulated Democratic Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger on her victory. Glenn Youngkin says he'll work closely with her to ensure a smooth transition. I believe we are going to present to Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger, a Virginia that is stronger than it has ever been. Abigail Spanberger won against Winsome Earle-Sears by nearly 15 percentage points. She is set to take office in January. Virginians also elected the Commonwealth's first Black Attorney General despite controversy clouding the case. VPM News's Kairas Manzanaris has more. Jay Jones has been elected Virginia's next Attorney General becoming the first black person to hold the office in the Commonwealth. The former Norfolk delegate defeated Republican incumbent Jason Miaris in a race that was closely watched nationally. Jay Jones made this pledge during his Tuesday night victory speech. I will never, ever stop fighting for you. I will defend the rights of every single Virginian. I will protect our jobs, our health care, and our economy from Donald Trump's attacks. Miaris publicly conceded the race on election night. As of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jay Jones is winning with 53% of the votes, despite multiple October controversies regarding a reckless driving charge in years old text messages about a political rival. All results are unofficial until certified by the state. Kras Manzanaris, VPM News. Once again, here's Kris Manzanaris, this time talking about how Richmond's elected law enforcers will be remaining in office following Tuesday's election. Richmond voters have re-elected Sheriff Antoinette Irving and Commonwealth's attorney Colette McKeachan securing another term for both Democratic incumbents. Irving secured 97% of the vote, while McKeachin secured 98%. Both candidates ran unopposed in the general election. Back in June, Irving told VPM news she'll continue focusing on community trust and improving conditions at the city jail. As for McKeachin, she says she plans to build on her work in criminal justice reform and would like to establish a family justice center to help reduce gun violence in the city. According to local officials, voter turnout across the city was 53%. All election results are unofficial until certified by the state. Kress Manzanar's BPM News. Virginia's House of Delegates is poised to see a significantly larger Democratic majority when it convenes in January. As of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, the Associated Press has called unofficial winners in 99 of 100 House of Delegates races. In the Shenandoah Valley, Republican incumbents Chris Runyon and Ellen Campbell will once again represent House districts 35 and 36, respectively.
Elsewhere in central Virginia, Republican incumbent Lee Ware will also keep his seat in HD72, which represents parts of the counties of Amelia, Chesterfield, Notaway, and Powhatan. VPM News is still following results in Virginia's statewide races at vpm.org slash elections. The governor is bringing the presidential fitness test back to Virginia schools. Junkin issued an executive order on Tuesday. It directs the State Department of Education and Public School divisions to reestablish the program and ensure it aligns with Virginia's physical education standards and forthcoming guidance from President Donald Trump's administration. The physical fitness assessment was introduced in 1956 and discontinued by then-President Barack Obama in 2012. Richmond's Planning Commission has approved the next steps for the Shaco Project. The commission okayed conceptual plans on Monday for a memorial to the Shaco Bottom African burial ground, as well as the final design for improvements to Reconciliation Plaza. City officials said these projects further Richmond's mission to preserve historic sites and tell the full truth of its history. Richmond's Public Housing Authority is looking to issue up to $94 million in tax-exempt bonds for new affordable housing. Reporter DeMir Shahi has the details. The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority proposes issuing housing revenue bonds to the developers behind the three projects. The tax-exempt bonds would fund developments to build about 600 affordable multifamily rental units across the city, including more than 200, each in Northside and Southside. The effort would add to the city's affordable housing stock, a top goal of city officials. On Monday, City Council held a brief special meeting to formally introduce the proposals. The drafts are expected to be publicly available no later than November 12th. Dean Mirashahi, VPM News. Richmond's Department of Public Utilities said it is delaying bills for a small group of rate payers. On October 17, DPU found an equipment failure that corrupted meter readings for fewer than 5,000 Southside residents. The department said in a press release, it won't charge those customers base rates for October, roughly $40 to $50 in savings. DPU Director Scott Morris said the department is working to improve its billing system, which has been plagued by aging equipment and bills based on inaccurate usage estimates according to a 2023 city audit. The Virginia Supreme Court heard arguments late last week in a lawsuit that nine state senators filed against three university rectors. Reporter Megan Polly was there. Senate Democrats on a privileges and elections panel this June rejected eight of Governor Glenn Youngkin's college and university appointees to open board of visitor seats. All eight began serving, despite the committee rejections. The Democratic senators sued and a Fairfax Circuit Court judge temporarily suspended the appointments. Glenn Youngkin's administration appealed to the state Supreme Court asking it to throw out the lawsuit.
Attorneys for the governor's office say the senators didn't have the right to bring the lawsuit. It's unclear when the court will rule. Megan Pauley, VPM News. This has been the VPM Daily Newscast. Some of these stories may have changed since the newscast was recorded. You can stay connected to what matters by heading to vpm.org slash news or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at MyVPN.