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Democrats, GOP test their playbooks as Trump looms over elections in N.J., Va.

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Democrats, GOP test their playbooks as Trump looms over elections in N.J., Va.


There’s a similar dance playing out in Virginia.

In an interview, Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears didn’t hide her support for Trump or his agenda, although she focused on the president’s position on public safety when asked. Her campaign declined to answer directly when asked whether she wanted Trump to campaign in Virginia.

“When you ask me about the president’s agenda, I am going to support his agenda when it comes to crime every single day,” Earle-Sears told the AP.

An Earle-Sears spokesperson sent a follow-up statement after the interview: “Everyone knows Winsome Earle-Sears is fiercely independent, but she also knows when strong leadership delivers results. Winsome isn’t afraid to say it — when Trump puts America first, Virginians win.” A spokesperson later told the AP that Earle-Sears would welcome Trump on the campaign trail in Virginia.

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Still, Earle-Sears expressed frustration that her opponents paint her as overly aligned with the White House or too far-right for Virginia. She argued that her opponent, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, hasn’t been tethered to former Democratic President Joe Biden the same way.

“Nobody talks about her connections with Biden,” she said.

The White House declined to answer questions about Trump’s plans in Virginia or New Jersey.

Democrats have challenges of their own

Spanberger and Sherrill are working to stay focused on voters’ economic concerns as costs surge and job growth stalls nationwide.

At the same time, Republicans are fighting to highlight the Democrats’ support for progressive cultural priorities — including LGBTQ rights — and the rise of far-left leaders such as New York City’s Democratic candidate for mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist.

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Earle-Sears released an attack ad this week charging that Spanberger “is for they/them, not us,” while suggesting she supports policies that endanger children — an echo of Trump’s closing message last fall.

In a new ad of her own pushing back, Spanberger noted that she is a mother of three school-age children and a former law enforcement officer. When asked in an interview whether supporting transgender children is a priority, however, Spanberger offered a cautious answer.

“Protecting all people is a priority for me,” she said. “As governor, I will protect all children.”

Her focus on the economy, she said, reflects what she’s hearing from voters across Virginia. She invited Trump to visit the state to campaign with Earle-Sears.

“Let him come to Virginia and face the tens of thousands of people who he’s responsible for firing. Let him come to Virginia and answer for those Medicaid cuts,” she said.

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In New Jersey, Sherrill has also tried to focus on economic concerns. Republicans have tried to link her to Mamdani, with Ciattarelli seizing on Sherrill’s past pledge to back the eventual Democratic nominee in the city.

FILE – Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., greets people during a “Get Out the Vote” rally June 7, 2025, in Elizabeth, N.J. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa, File)

Recently, however, the Democrat sought to distance herself from Mamdani. At an event this week unveiling her plan to freeze utility rates, Sherrill told reporters she won’t weigh in on the New York City election.

“I’m going to let the people of New York decide who their next mayor is going to be,” she said.



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Vice President JD Vance eyes estate in Virginia

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Vice President JD Vance eyes estate in Virginia


Vice President J.D. Vance is eyeing a multimillion-dollar estate in Middleburg, Virginia, to serve as a part-time home for his family, according to a report from the Washington Business Journal.

The second family is leasing two of the four properties at Wolver Hill Farm, a sprawling, nearly 500-acre estate situated about 45 minutes to an hour outside of Washington, D.C.

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What we know:

The historic property was acquired five years ago for nearly $9 million by Chuck Kuhn, the owner of J.K. Moving.

According to Michael Neibauer with the Washington Business Journal, there are four homes on the 500-acre property which backs up to the Salamander Middleburg Resort and Spa.

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“I wouldn’t be shocked if the Vance family maybe takes advantage of some of those spa facilities that are celebrated out there,” Neibauer added.

Requests for comment regarding the lease agreements were sent to Kuhn’s company, which has not yet responded.

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The potential move comes at a busy time for the Vances, as Second Lady Usha Vance is currently expecting the couple’s fourth child.

The news has quickly traveled through the heart of Middleburg, a historic town known for its vibrant strip of mom-and-pop shops and popular resorts along East Washington Street.

What they’re saying:

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Business owners along the main thoroughfare were universally aware of their potential new neighbor, though several declined to talk on camera.

The reaction to the Vice President’s potential arrival has been mixed.

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“Well, I figure J.D. is going to—the vice president, excuse me— is going to want to play some golf, and I’m a member of Creighton Farms. So, Mr. Vice President, if you’re watching, you’re always welcome on my tee time,” Upperville resident Luke Mahoney said.

When asked if he has concerns about having a potential Secret Service presence in the community, Mahoney said, “No, it can’t be worse than the people that drive 35 miles an hour on Route 50 during commute times. I think they’re very professional; they do a great job. I’m not really that worried about it.”

The Source: This information is from the Washington Business Journal and FOX5 DC reporting. 

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Vance leasing part of multimillion-dollar Virginia farm as an additional residence | CNN Politics

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Vance leasing part of multimillion-dollar Virginia farm as an additional residence | CNN Politics


Vice President JD Vance is leasing part of a sprawling, multimillion-dollar property in rural Virginia to serve as an additional residence for his family, two people familiar with the matter told CNN.

The new rental residence is part of the historic Wolver Hill Farm, which spans nearly 500 acres on the outskirts of Middleburg, Virginia, a wealthy enclave located a little more than an hour drive from Washington, DC.

Wolver Hill Farm is owned by a firm led by Charles Kuhn, the founder of a moving company that has moved several presidents into and out of the White House, including President Donald Trump. The company is also a longtime government contractor.

Kuhn in recent years has become one of the largest landholders in Virginia, as well as a major player in the development of data centers across the state. In one deal last November, Kuhn’s company reportedly sold a nearly 100-acre parcel of land to a data center investor for $615 million.

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Vance is renting part of the Middleburg property from Kuhn’s firm primarily for his wife and three kids, in what the people familiar described as an effort to provide them with a greater sense of normalcy away from the scrutiny of Washington. The vice president is expected to stay there on occasion, though he and his family are maintaining their official residence at the Naval Observatory.

In a statement, Vance’s personal attorney, Chris Ashby, said the vice president planned to pay market value for the property.

“The rent will be at fair market value, determined with reference to the rent for comparable properties in the area,” Ashby said.

Kuhn did not respond to a request for comment. The Washington Business Journal first reported that the vice president was leasing part of Kuhn’s Wolver Hill Farm.

Vance is the latest major political figure to establish a retreat near the small but well-heeled town of Middleburg, which has a population under 1,000 residents. Former President John F. Kennedy once owned an estate in the area, while former President Ronald Reagan once rented a home in the area to serve as a base of operations during his 1980 presidential campaign.

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Rabid cat, bat, raccoons and skunks reported in these 4 Virginia counties

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Rabid cat, bat, raccoons and skunks reported in these 4 Virginia counties


A rabid cat, bat, raccoons and skunks have been confirmed across four Virginia counties, according to the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District.

The rabid animals were found during the first quarter of 2026 in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison and Orange counties.

RELATED | Person exposed to rabid cat in Chantilly

They included one bat and one skunk in Culpeper, three raccoons and one skunk in Fauquier, one skunk in Madison and one cat and one skunk in Orange. Officials said no human exposures have been reported.

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The health district said rabies is commonly found in Virginia wildlife, particularly raccoons, skunks and bats. Statewide, 117 animals tested positive for rabies during the first quarter of the year.

SEE ALSO | Flying bats reported near crowd at Maryland fireworks show, officials warn of health risk

Health officials are urging people to stay away from wild animals and unfamiliar pets, make sure dogs and cats are up to date on their rabies vaccinations and report animals acting strangely to local animal control.



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