Posts Tagged Election 2025

The Republican statewide ticket may soon appear together for the first time

Republican candidate for governor Winsome Earle-Sears appears with Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley during an event at the campaign headquarters in Northern Virginia. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Republicans locked down their ticket back in April, although the three statewide candidates have yet to appear with each other on a stage. Michael Pope tells us that the GOP is planning to change that.

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A blue wave looks like it’s coming, but how big will it be?

Democrats are hopeful that they’ll be able to capitalize on sentiment against President Trump in the statewide election this year. Michael Pope reports.

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Some primaries to watch next week

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All 100 seats in the House of Delegates will be on the ballot this year, although not all of them have competitive primaries. Michael Pope has this report on the districts to watch in next week’s primary.

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Democratic AG candidates support review of Virginians pardoned by Trump

Virginia’s Democratic Attorney General candidates Shannon Taylor and Jay Jones. (Credit: Combined image from candidates’ respective social media accounts)

President Donald Trump promised pardoned January 6 rioters, including more than a dozen Virginians when he took office. He’s also pardoned a former Virginia sheriff convicted of bribery. The candidates hoping to get the Democratic Party’s nomination for state Attorney General spoke with Brad Kutner about what they would do in the face of Trump’s expanded use of pardon power.

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Big money is flowing into Virginia’s primary contests

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All those streaming ads you’ve been seeing for political candidates cost money, and broadcasting statewide in Virginia is expensive. Michael Pope tells us about the stacks of campaign cash funding the ad blitz.

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After big changes in Virginia’s child care industry, candidates for governor offer more fixes

Teachers, including Terri Robinson (middle), sing to infants at the Sprout School in Southside Richmond. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Parents know getting childcare is a challenge, even as Virginia takes steps to improve the system. And while accessibility and quality have both increased thanks to record state spending, the two candidates for governor have their own ideas to meet the challenge. Brad Kutner reports.

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Earle-Sears wants to do away with taxes on tips

Republican candidate for governor Winsome Earle-Sears appears with Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley during an event at the campaign headquarters in Northern Virginia. (Credit: Michael Pope)

No tax on tips was part of the Republican platform last year in the presidential election. Now, Michael Pope tells us it’s becoming a topic of conversation on the campaign trail for governor this year.

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Spanberger pushes housing policy at new development in Henrico County

Virginia Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Abigail Spanberger shares her housing policy ideas, flanked by Sentor Lashrecse Aird and other activists, in eastern Henrico. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Virginia’s average home price has increased six percent over the last year, bringing it up to nearly $400,000. Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Abigail Spanberger offered ideas to address the problem at an event in Henrico County Friday morning. Brad Kutner has this report. 

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Earle-Sears says she wants to get rid of Virginia’s car tax

Republican candidate for governor Winsome Earle-Sears says she wants to get rid of the car tax, although previous governors have been unable to do that because local governments need the money. (Credit: Michael Pope)

Republican candidate for governor Winsome Earle-Sears is pitching her vision for Virginia. And Michael Pope reports that one of her central messages will be a familiar one to voters.

The campaign of Democrat Abigail Spanberger did not respond when asked for the candidate’s position on the car tax.

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Will the Republican statewide ticket appear together this election cycle?

Asked about when she would appear with the other statewide Republican candidates, Winsome Earle-Sears said she has her own race to run. (Credit: Michael Pope)

It’s been more than a month since the Republican Party officially nominated all three of their statewide candidates. And Michael Pope tells us the party’s candidate for governor does not appear to have plans for a unity event any time soon.

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A casino proposal in Northern Virginia is a hot topic on the campaign trail this year

Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / Radio IQ

Special interests are hoping to strike it rich next year in Richmond. Michael Pope reports on the shifting political landscape for a proposed Tysons Corner casino. 

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Virginia Democrats on track to smash primary early voting record

An absentee ballot sent out by the City of Richmond’s Office of Elections. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Virginians started voting early in the June 2025 primaries in early May. And with about three weeks left, Democrats are on track to smash their primary early voting record. Brad Kutner has more from Richmond. 

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LG candidates clash over casinos and skill games

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Casino gambling and convenience store slot-style machines are becoming a flashpoint in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor. Michael Pope explains why.

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Spanberger faces opposition, open minds while pitching healthcare cost plans

Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Abigail Spanberger speaks with local GOP party activist Major Mansfield. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger made a campaign stop in ruby red Hanover County Wednesday morning. The Democratic gubernatorial candidate was there to discuss her plans to address healthcare costs, but she found more than just the press and local supporters. Brad Kutner has more.

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Early figures show local primaries are driving turnout right now

A sign marks the location of a precinct in Roanoke. (Credit: Radio IQ)

Early vote data shows local primaries are driving turnout, at least at this point. Michael Pope is digging into the numbers.

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These non-traditional candidates say they represent the evolving politics of Virginia

HD70 GOP primary candidate Hailey Dollar (left) and HD47 Democratic candidate Yvonne Rorrer (Credit: their campaign websites)

First it was John Reid, the first openly gay Republican candidate running for statewide office in Virginia. Now, two more candidates had their lifestyles thrown into the spotlight. Brad Kutner spoke to them and has this report on what they say is the changing face of politics in the Commonwealth. 

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This year’s campaign season has already started. And yes, that means ads

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This year’s campaign season is now underway, and that includes all those ads on TV. Michael Pope reports on the first ones headed to a screen near you.

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Virginia’s early voting period for the June primaries starts Friday

Credit: Jahd Khalil

Friday is the first day of early voting for statewide and local primaries. Michael Pope has this preview.

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A contraception bill on the governor’s desk is also now a campaign talking point

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is considering about a hundred bills that are on his desk right now, and his deadline to take action is at the end of the week. Michael Pope more about one bill that guarantees a right to contraception.

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Virginia’s Right to Work law will again be a big campaign topic this year

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Labor issues may end up being a big campaign issue in the statewide elections this year. Michael Pope reports on a question that has vexed Democrats for years.

In a written statement, former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger did not commit to repealing the Right to Work Law. Here is the entire statement from her campaign to Reporter Michael Pope:

“Abigail Spanberger believes that Virginians deserve leaders who are not afraid to stand up for workers and believe in creating jobs, not chaos. Abigail has met with both Virginia labor organizations and Virginia business groups to hear their priorities. As Governor, she will remain focused on getting things done for Virginia’s working families and tackling the ongoing challenges facing Virginia’s workforce and economy.”

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Early campaign finance numbers show Democrats outraising Republican incumbents

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Campaign finance numbers show the fall campaign season is heating up. And Michael Pope explains a handful of races feature Republican incumbents in districts won by Kamala Harris.

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Virginia’s 2025 primaries are now set

The June primary will NOT feature a race at the top of the ticket. Michael Pope reports candidates for governor are now set.

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Virginia statewide candidates submit signatures to get on the ballot

Democratic Attorney General hopeful and Henrico Commonwealths Attorney Shannon Taylor submits signatures to get on the 2025 primary ballot. (Credit: Brad Kutner / Radio IQ)

A handful of the nearly 20 candidates for statewide office in Virginia this year were at Virginia’s Department of Elections Monday morning. Brad Kutner spoke with some after they submitted the required number of signatures to get on the 2025 primary ballot. 

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“Progressive Prosecutors” take the spotlight in AG primary race

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The primary for attorney general may present Democrats with a choice about how they view progressive prosecutors. Michael Pope explains why.

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The rush is on: Virginia candidates collect signatures to get on primary ballot

Credit: David Seidel / Radio IQ

We vote every year in Virginia, and 2025 will see the highest offices in Richmond and every seat in the House of Delegates elected. But first candidates must get on the primary ballot, and as Brad Kutner found out, the race is on to meet eligibility deadlines. 

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Control of the House of Delegates could come down to Prince George County

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All 100 seats of the House of Delegates will be on the ballot this year, although as Michael Pope tells us only a dozen are expected to be competitive.

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The Republican gubernatorial primary field has suddenly become more crowded

Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears no longer has a lock on the Republican nomination for governor. Michael Pope reports on the campaign shakeup.

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Early Roanoke College poll shows 15-point lead for Spanberger over Earle-Sears

The race for governor is starting to take shape as new polling numbers show where things stand eight months out from Election Day. Michael Pope has the numbers.

Here’s a link to the new polling from Roanoke College.

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Next year’s gubernatorial field is pretty much already settled

Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (left) and Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears (right) are the likely major party candidates in next year’s gubernatorial contest.

The primary for governor is six months away, although Democrats and Republicans have already essentially selected their candidates. Michael Pope reports.

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Next year’s lieutenant governor race is already crowded

The Democratic primary for lieutenant governor is heating up – with two high-profile candidates entering the race this week. Michael Pope has the latest.

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The 2025 gubernatorial contest is taking shape

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney (Credit: Stoney’s Facebook page)

The election of 2023 is barely over, and, as Michael Pope tells us, the politics of election 2025 are already taking shape.

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