Virginia
Virginia House Speaker Don Scott endorses Abigail Spanberger for governor • Virginia Mercury
Days after Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears announced her bid for governor of Virginia — a contest that will take place next year but is already ramping up — House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, is throwing his support behind the only other declared candidate in the governor’s race, congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, D-Prince William.
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears announces run for Virginia governor
Scott’s endorsement joins a growing list of over 100 current or former state, local or federal officials to back Spanberger.
Scott, a lawyer and former U.S Navy officer, made history as the first Black Speaker elected in the 400-year history of Virginia’s General Assembly. Spanberger is a former Central Intelligence Agency case officer who was first elected to represent Virginia’s 7th Congressional District in 2018, the first woman to do so. Now, Scott hopes to see her become Virginia’s first woman governor.
He recalled “getting to know [Spanberger] over the last few years” and their mutual support for each others’ efforts to connect with constituents and other elected officials across party lines around the state.
“I think her number one quality is that she listens,” Scott said in a phone call Monday afternoon. “She has made an effort to serve every corner of our community and our Commonwealth.”
Likewise, Spanberger noted Scott’s efforts to engage with people around the state too.
“Speaker Scott is dedicated to uplifting his fellow Virginians — and his ability to work with both parties shows his commitment to getting things done for the Commonwealth,” she said in a statement.”I am truly grateful for his endorsement.”
Both will be up for election next year, and should Democrats retain their control of the House of Delegates, Scott could continue in his role as Speaker.
Spanberger’s bipartisan efforts to bring infrastructure and broadband funding to the state and her support of congress’ Inflation Reduction Act earned Scott’s backing, he said. He noted their shared goals of increasing investments in public education and Spanberger’s support for three constitutional amendments that Virginia Democrats plan to kick start next year.
In 2025, Democrats plan to advance proposed amendments to Virginia’s constitution that will cement abortion protections, remove a same-sex marriage prohibition from the constitution, and enshrine the automatic restoration of voting rights for formerly incarcerated people who have served their prison time. The measures will need to pass two years in a row with a House of Delegates election in between before appearing on statewide ballots for voters to approve or reject, meaning they are not subject to gubernatorial approval.
But that doesn’t mean Spanberger’s support won’t be important for their potential success, should she ascend to the governor’s chair, Scott said.
“We’re going to win together [next November],” he said.”That’s because we’re going to continue to move Virginia forward and not take us backwards.”
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Virginia
Virginia hires Richmond’s Aaron Roussell after Amaka Agugua-Hamilton’s firing, investigation
Virginia has its new women’s basketball coach, after a messy ending with its previous one.
The Cavaliers announced Tuesday they had hired Richmond head coach Aaron Roussell to replace the fired Amaka Agugua-Hamilton, who was reportedly the subject of an internal investigation over allegations of staff mistreatment. Roussell will be the seventh head coach in program history.
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Roussell had been the Spiders’ head coach for seven years, accruing a 148-72 record and leading them to three straight NCAA tournament appearances since 2024. They notched the first tourney win in their history against Georgia Tech in 2025.
Aaron Roussell has some work to do in Charlottesville.
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / REUTERS)
Roussell will not have to travel far for his new job, but he will enter a program facing surprising levels of instability after a Cinderella run in this year’s March Madness.
After entering their first NCAA tournament in eight years, the Cavaliers reeled off wins over Arizona State in the First Four, No. 7 Georgia and No. 2 Iowa to reach their first Sweet 16 since 2000. Then, days after the season ended, the program announced Agugua-Hamilton’s firing in a cryptic “Virginia Announces Leadership Change for Women’s Basketball” statement.
Per On3’s transfer portal tracker, six Virginia players have entered the portal, including last season’s leading scorer Kymora Johnson.
Virginia
Former Virginia Gov Glenn Youngkin hints at political future, says he’s ‘chomping at the bit’ after exit
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Former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signaled his political career may not be over, telling Sean Hannity he still has “more to give” just under three months after leaving office.
“I have more to give. I just do. The one year of campaigning and the four years of running, so five years, went by in five seconds. It was amazing,” Youngkin said on the “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” podcast.
In the full episode, debuting Tuesday, Youngkin sat down with the Fox News host to discuss his time in office, as well as what things have been like since his term expired in January.
NEW POLL REVEALS SPANBERGER’S POPULARITY IS PLUMMETING AMID BACKLASH OVER GERRYMANDERING
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin addresses the crowd during an early voting rally on Sept. 21, 2023, in Petersburg, Va. (Steve Helber/AP)
“Every morning [when I was governor], I woke up literally bounding out of bed, ready to roll, and that was the most purposeful I’ve ever felt in my whole life.“
Youngkin oversaw a range of conservative measures passed in the state, including a push to ensure age-appropriate curriculum in public schools.
SPANBERGER SIGNALS LEFT BENT AFTER CENTRIST CAMPAIGN; GOP LEADER WARNS OF ‘FAIRFAXING THE REST OF VA’
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger responds to President Donald Trump’s unseen State of the Union address. (Steve Helber/Reuters)
He also pushed for tax cuts, including efforts to reduce the state’s grocery tax, rolled back COVID-19 restrictions early in his tenure and emphasized tougher public safety policies.
His time in office concluded earlier this year, when Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration succeeded his.
“I’ve been out of office for six weeks. I took [my wife] Suzanne on vacation, which she so deserved. She’s been amazing. I think she’s of the best first ladies in America,” he said.
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“But six weeks has felt like six years… You’re chomping at the bit.”
While Youngkin stopped short of outlining specific plans for the future, his comments suggest he is keeping the door open to a return to public office.
Fox News Digital’s Charles Creitz contributed to this report.
Virginia
Denver police arrest man suspected in fatal shooting on E. Virginia Avenue
Denver police have arrested the man they believe was responsible for a fatal shooting on E. Virginia Avenue on Thursday afternoon.
According to an arrest affidavit, the Denver Dispatch Center received a 911 call around 12:35 p.m. to report a shooting in the 10100 block of E. Virginia Ave. The caller told dispatch workers that a white SUV was fleeing the scene.
Responding officers found a man who was critically wounded. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
Investigators reportedly discovered a handgun, the victim’s cellphone and money in the area where the shooting happened. They also located surveillance footage in the area, which appeared to show the victim exiting a white Chevrolet Tahoe as gunshots could be heard. He walked to the east, looking for help, before collapsing on the ground.
The affidavit says a conversation was discovered on the victim’s Instagram account in which he was speaking with another person who was selling a firearm.
Aurora police assisted investigators using the Flock License Plate Reader system, identifying the Tahoe at several locations. Police said the vehicle had unique characteristics on the passenger rear wheel. The affidavit says that, before the shooting, the vehicle had a rear license plate, but after the shooting, it was missing.
Investigators found the vehicle, executed a search warrant and found a fired cartridge case in the back seat. A person connected to the case reportedly told officers that he drove his friend, later identified as Daniel Puga Villegas, to meet a person to collect money from him. However, he says an argument took place, and Villegas shot the victim, then ripped off his temporary rear license plate and, while still holding the gun, told him to drive.
Villegas was arrested on Sunday with assistance from the APD and is facing charges of first-degree murder.
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