Virginia
VOTER GUIDE | Virginia voters head to the polls June 21
Virginia’s primaries start on June 21. Right here is every thing it’s worthwhile to find out about the place, when and the right way to forged your vote.
VIRGINIA, USA — Virginians will head to the polls June 21, forward of the Nov. 8 normal election, to elect their celebration’s nominees for U.S. congressional seats, in addition to the Manassas Metropolis Council. Democrats are holding one major for the eighth congressional district, in addition to for the Manassas Metropolis Council. Republicans are having a major for congressional districts 2, 3, 6 and seven.
In line with the Virginia Redistricting Fee, sure boundaries of the commonwealth’s U.S. congressional districts could have been affected by a brand new redistricting plan, which can change which candidates seem on folks’s ballots. Due to redistricting, voters ought to double-check which district they’re in.
WHEN AND WHERE TO VOTE
On June 21, polls will keep open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., however early voting is open now by way of June 18. Polling locations might be discovered right here. You do want an ID to voter in individual in Virginia.
Early voting for Virginia’s primaries has begun. Here is what it’s worthwhile to find out about registration, acceptable IDs
WHO IS ON THE BALLOT?
U.S. Congress: District 2
Republican
Vote 1
Winner will face Democratic incumbent, Elaine Luria. She has held this workplace since 2019.
Andrew “Andy” Baan
He’s an Iraq Warfare/Bronze Star veteran, retired Navy Captain, former prosecutor, protection contractor program supervisor, and cybersecurity advisor. He was chosen as a Navy Commanding Officer six instances. He has a bachelor’s diploma from Notre Dame, a regulation diploma from Dickinson/Penn State, a grasp’s in Nationwide Safety and Strategic Research from the Naval Warfare Faculty, and a grasp’s in Cybersecurity from Norfolk State College.
Web site: https://andybaan.com/
Jerome Bell
He studied at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical College the place he graduated with affiliate’s and bachelor’s levels in Skilled Aeronautics with a minor in administration. He retired as Chief Petty Officer from the USA Navy after serving 27 years. He opened a small enterprise that helps highschool graduates acquire school athletic scholarships.
Web site: https://jaromebellforcongress.com/
Jen Kiggans
She’s a member of the Virginia Senate (seventh district) the place she serves on a number of committees: native authorities, subcommittee on charters, normal legal guidelines and expertise, subcommittee on gaming, and rehabilitation and social providers. She is a former Navy pilot, who at present serves as a nurse practitioner.
Web site: http://www.jenforva.com/
L. Tommy Altman, III
Altman is a disabled veteran of the USA Air Power Particular Operations group, with fight excursions in Afghanistan and Iraq. He and his spouse personal a small enterprise in Virginia Seashore.
Web site: https://www.tommy4va.com/
U.S. Congress: District 3
Republican
Vote 1
Winner will face democratic incumbent Bobby Scott.
Ted W. Engquist
He’s a licensed minister who volunteered in varied campaigns together with George W. Bush’s second presidential marketing campaign.
Web site: https://tedforcongress2022.com/
Terry T. Namkung
Namkung served in the USA Air Power earlier than working in company America, main groups in creating options to local weather change. He has a doctorate in enterprise and researched renewable power expertise diffusion and adoption. He at present holds a grasp’s diploma from Auburn College.
Web site: https://namkungforvirginia.com/
U.S. Congress: District 6
Ben L. Cline (incumbent)
He has served on this workplace since 2019. Earlier than being elected to Congress, he had a personal regulation apply and beforehand represented the twenty fourth district within the Virginia Home of Delegates (2002-2018). He additionally served as an assistant commonwealth’s lawyer for Rockingham County and the town of Harrisonburg till 2013.
Web site: https://cline.home.gov/
Merritt D. Hale
Hale attended the College of Virginia and studied techniques engineering, whereas enrolled in Naval ROTC. Upon commencement, he was commissioned as a United States Naval Officer and was stationed in Charleston and Virginia Seashore. Following the navy, he was a techniques engineer supporting the intelligence group.
Web site: https://www.merritthaleforcongress.com/
U.S. Congress: District 7
Republican
Vote 1
Winner will face Democratic incumbent, Abigail Spanberger.
Bryce E. Reeves
He’s a state senator representing Spotsylvania, an workplace he has held since 2012. He’s an insurance coverage agent and a former narcotics detective in Prince William County. Reeves was as a cadet at Texas A&M and upon commencement, Reeves was commissioned as an officer in the USA Military. He’s a graduate of Military Ranger College and served as an infantry officer.
Web site: https://www.brycereeves.com/
Crystal L. Vanuch
She represents the Rock Hill district on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors and is at present serving as chairman of the board for the second yr in a row. She attended Stafford Elementary College, Stafford Center College, Brooke Level Excessive College after which graduated Magna Cum Laude at Virginia Wesleyan College.
Web site: https://crystalvanuch.com/
David L. Ross
Ross is a retired United States Marine at present serving in his eleventh yr (third time period) because the elected consultant for the Courtland district on the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors. He has additionally served because the chairman of the Spotsylvania County Republican Committee and held a seat on the Board of Trustees for the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) system. He spent greater than 10 years serving because the Spotsylvania consultant on the Fredericksburg Space Metropolitan Planning Group.
Web site: https://daveross4liberty.com/
Derrick M. Anderson
Derrick Anderson, from Spotsylvania County, was within the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech and graduated with a regulation diploma from Georgetown in 2019. He then clerked for some federal judges engaged on civil and felony circumstances. He’s a former Particular Forces Inexperienced Beret and served six excursions of responsibility, together with Afghanistan, Iraq and varied international locations all through the Center East.
Web site: https://derrickandersonforva.com/
Gina R. Ciarcia
Ciarcia lives in Prince William County, the place she’s a instructor and tutor and is the spouse of a retired Marine officer. She additionally homeschools her 5 youngsters.
Web site: https://ginaciarcia.com/
Yesli I. Vega
She served on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors as the primary Latina supervisor. She is a navy spouse and grew up in Virginia. Vega was a police officer with the Metropolis of Alexandria’s Police Division in addition to the Manassas Park Police Division. She served as a deputy with the Prince William County Sheriff’s Workplace and was on its disaster intervention group. At present, she is an auxiliary deputy within the Prince William County Sheriff’s Workplace.
Web site: https://yeslivega.com/
U.S. Congress: District 8
Democratic
Vote 1
Winner will face republican candidate Karina Lipsman
Donald Beyer, Jr. (incumbent)
He has held this workplace since 2015 and is operating for a fifth time period. He’s additionally the previous Lieutenant Governor of Virginia (1990-1998) serving two phrases through the gubernatorial administrations of Democratic Gov. Doug Wilder (1990-1994) and Republican Gov. George Allen (1994-1998). He has served as Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. He has additionally owned automobile dealerships within the state.
Web site: https://friendsofdonbeyer.com/
Victoria I. Virasingh
She grew up in Arlington and attended St. Agnes Catholic College in Arlington then Georgetown Visitation in D.C. She attended Stanford College and has a bachelor’s diploma in worldwide relations and a grasp’s diploma in Latin American research. Virasingh labored within the tech business and is at present a county board-appointed member of the Financial Growth Fee.
Web site: https://www.victoriaforcongress.com/
Manassas Metropolis Council
Dheeraj “DJ” Jagadev
He’s a Manassas Metropolis Public Faculties instructor and at present serves on the town’s Planning Fee. He graduated from Unity Reed Excessive College after which obtained a bachelor’s and grasp’s diploma from the Faculty of William and Mary.
Web site: http://dheerajformanassas.com/
Ralph J. Smith (incumbent)
He has served as chief election officer at Spherical and Dean Precincts and as an election official for greater than 20 years. He earned his bachelor’s in Enterprise Administration from St. Paul’s Faculty in Lawrenceville, Virginia. He was a senior government on the Social Safety Administration in Falls Church, Virginia.
Web site: https://www.ralphjsmith.org/
Keller is a volunteer fireman and serves on the Legal Justice Board for the town of Manassas. He has labored within the federal authorities primarily as a senior forensic examiner for the Federal Bureau of Investigations, earlier than retiring 5 years in the past. He managed and coordinated the group emergency response group for the town of Manassas from 2009-2014. He was appointed by the Manassas Metropolis Council to the Historic Assets Board in 2015 and is at present its vice-chairman.
Web site: http://www.manassasstrong.internet/
Sonia R. Vasquez Luna
She’s from San Salvador and studied at Northern Virginia Neighborhood Faculty. She is at present a board member at LIUNA, an government board member at Labor Council for Latin American Development and Nova Labor and is the vp at The Labor Council for Latin American Development.
Web site: https://www.soniavasquezluna.com/
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Virginia
Virginia Tech grads living in LA share wildfire experiences
ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – Firefighters are continuing to battle the devastating fires in Los Angeles that have destroyed thousands of homes and led to the evacuations of over 180,000.
While the fires are thousands of miles away those flames have connections to our hometowns. WDBJ7 spoke with two Virginia Tech Alumni living in Los Angeles on Thursday. While neither of them have had to evacuate their homes, they shared what it’s like to be in LA during the fires and how people there are handling the destruction.
“It definitely feels like a little apocalyptic, just the sky being somewhat black and grey. Here it’s more like the sun is covered by the smoke so it’s just very eerie,” said Jillian Ostick, a 2017 Virginia Tech graduate who lives in Los Angeles.
Ostick lives in the South Bay area of Los Angeles about 10-15 miles from where the fires are.
“It’s close by but in terms of being evacuated or anything we’re very safe down here. We’re really just affected by the air quality and being worried about other people,” she said.
Ostick works in residential real estate and says many of her clients have lost their homes or evacuated and her team is currently working to help them find rentals.
“People have lost everything and they’re just scared but I think people have a place to stay and have resources. Our team is collecting blankets and clothes and is just messaging out to everybody ‘If you need help, no questions asked just fill out this form’,’” she said. “A lot of people did have to just pack up quick last night if they were in an evacuation area.”
Leah Gay is a 2014 Virginia Tech Graduate who is from the Blacksburg area. She lives in the West Hollywood area of LA and hasn’t had to evacuate yet but says she is prepared to do so if needed.
“Everything so far in our area has just been super smokey, there’s been ash on the ground, on the car, everything like that but in terms of actual fires our area is safe,” said Gay. “Last night we got a new fire that was in the Hollywood Hills. It’s since been contained so that’s good but we could see those flames, the second you open the door it smelled like you were right in a fireplace. It was super close to us so we could see it, especially with the night sky it was super illuminated with all that fire.”
Gay said that she is remaining alert and closely following the latest updates on the fires.
“There’s an app called Watch Duty that pretty much everyone in LA is using for updates. It gives you real-time information about where first responders are being placed and where needs to be evacuated, where the flames are even if they’re moving in a certain direction. It’s a really great app, it has an amazing map in it so you can see in real-time who is being affected and what you need to do next,” she said.
Gay said that she does know several people who have had to evacuate. She said that it is an emotional time in Los Angeles.
“It’s super heartbreaking, so many people’s lives have been affected by this. It feels almost like COVID outside how there are so many less people out on the streets, many people are wearing masks to stay safe from the smoke, so it’s kind of feeling like a completely different Los Angeles,” she said.
Both Gay and Ostick said that people are already doing everything they can to help those who have lost everything to the fires. They both noted that there are many places where people can donate to help those in need.
While not everyone in L-A has had to be evacuated from their homes, the smoke from the fires is causing major air quality problems that can be harmful to people. The air quality is being adversely affected as far as 100 miles from the fire.
Copyright 2025 WDBJ. All rights reserved.
Virginia
JUCO Edge Rusher Keenan Eck Sets Visit to West Virginia
Citrus College edge rusher Keenan Eck is one of several transfer portal recruits who will be in Morgantown this weekend for an official visit to West Virginia.
He began his career at Division II Black Hills State in South Dakota, and in his freshman season, he was responsible for 13 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks. Eck then transferred to Citrus where he notched 6 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, and one forced fumble.
“I love it,” Eck said about the opportunity of playing at West Virginia. “A huge culture of winning is being built there; I would love to put in every bit of hard-hitting energy when it comes to rushing the passer for the mountaineers!”
Eck has had several conversations with head coach Rich Rodriguez and defensive coordinator Zac Alley, whom he looks forward to meeting in person this weekend.
“I really like how fired up they are for a turnaround. They’ve proven to be successful for many years, and they’re bringing the heat with this class of athletes. They want some dawgs that are ready to WORK!”
In addition to West Virginia, Eck has also heard from Eastern Illinois, Montana, San Diego State, Southern Utah, and Texas State. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.
MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI
Former Four-Star, Texas A&M TE Transfer Donovan Green is Visiting West Virginia
LSU DL Transfer Kimo Makane’ole Visits West Virginia
Montana State RB Transfer Scottre Humphrey Receives West Virginia Offer
Nicco Marchiol or Jaylen Henderson? Is There a Wild Card? Examining the WVU QB Room
Virginia
Spanberger, Earle-Sears deadlocked in tight Virginia Governor’s race, new poll finds • Virginia Mercury
Democratic former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears are in a neck-and-neck race for Virginia governor, according to the first Emerson College Polling/The Hill poll of the 2025 election. Spanberger leads Earle-Sears by a razor-thin margin, 42% to 41%, with 4% of voters supporting another candidate and 13% undecided, the survey found.
With 10 months to go before the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial election, the race “is tight overall, but significant demographic differences are emerging”, said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling.
Kimball noted that Earle-Sears has strong support among male voters, who favor her 52% to 37%, and white voters, who back her 50% to 35%. Spanberger, on the other hand, leads among women, 47% to 31%, as well as older voters over 70 and younger voters under 30, who support her 46% to 43% and 43% to 33%, respectively.
Both women are currently the only declared candidates for their parties in Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial race. Earle-Sears appears poised to secure the Republican nomination after endorsements from Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares.
On the Democratic side, however, the race could expand, as U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Newport News, has openly mused about running. Meanwhile, former GOP Rep. Denver Riggleman is considering a bid for governor or lieutenant governor as an independent candidate.
Thursday’s survey shows little change in the dynamics of the Virginia gubernatorial race since a September poll by the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, which found Spanberger and Earle-Sears tied at 39%, reflecting a consistently tight contest as the 2025 election approaches.
The new poll further highlights significant voter dissatisfaction with the economy, as 51% of respondents feel their financial situation is worse than it was four years ago. Only 27% believe their situation has improved, and 22% feel it has stayed the same.
“Among those who feel their economic situation is worse than four years ago, 56% think the state is headed in the right direction and 56% have a favorable view of the Governor,” Kimball said.
“Additionally, 66% of those who feel they are worse off than four years ago have an unfavorable view of President Biden, suggesting they may be blaming the president rather than Governor Youngkin for their current economic situation.”
Youngkin, who is term-limited, remains popular among Virginia voters, with a 48% favorable rating and 35% unfavorable.
Both gubernatorial candidates are less well-known to voters: Spanberger has a 38% favorable rating and 21% unfavorable, with 24% neutral and 17% unfamiliar. Earle-Sears holds a 33% favorable rating and 22% unfavorable, while 27% are neutral and 18% unfamiliar.
Voters are evenly split on President-elect Donald Trump, with 47% holding a favorable view and 47% unfavorable. President Joe Biden fares slightly worse in Virginia, with a 43% favorable rating and 50% unfavorable.
The poll shows a majority of voters (59%) believe Virginia is headed in the right direction, while 41% think the state is on the wrong track. The economy is the top issue for Virginia voters (38%), followed by housing affordability (14%), healthcare (10%), education (8%), and threats to democracy (8%).
Additionally, 56% of voters agree that climate change could be a factor in the recent heavy snowstorms that disrupted parts of the state, while 44% disagree.
The Emerson College Polling survey, conducted Jan. 6-8, included 1,000 registered Virginia voters and has a credibility interval of +/- 3 percentage points. Data were weighted by gender, education, race, age, party registration and region.
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