November 24, 2009
Kaine urges nonviolent offenders to seek rights restoration
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, who leaves office in January, today encouraged people with nonviolent felony convictions who have paid their debt to society to apply to have their voting rights restored. Speaking on his monthly call-in radio show on WTOP in Washington, Kaine noted that both he and his predecessor as governor, Mark R. Warner, have restored the rights of more Virginians than any of the previous governors of the commonwealth combined.
Elections board certifies Virginians’ votes
The results stayed the same, but the turnout grew after a certification of the Nov. 3 elections by the State Board of Elections yesterday. A total of 2,168,574 Virginians voted, or 43.76 percent of the registered voters. Early reports showed the turnout at about 40 percent. The turnout was slightly less than the 45 percent in 2005, but because more people are registered, about 168,000 more people voted than four years ago.
November 23, 2009
Kaine, McDonnell to meet about transition today
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is scheduled to meet privately this afternoon with Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell at the Patrick Henry Building, according to senior staff members familiar with the meeting.
Va. board to certify election results today
The Republican sweep in Virginia is about to become official.
November 14, 2009
Gov.-elect McDonnell announces senior advisers to transition team
Senior advisers to Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell’s transition team include former members of Congress, veterans of former Gov. George Allen’s administration, and representatives of key constituent groups, from business to the National Rifle Association and The Virginia Family Foundation. The senior advisers, announced yesterday, are:
McDonnell meets House Democrats, stresses common ground
Republican Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell emerged from a meeting with House Democrats yesterday afternoon saying both sides are committed to working together to bring Virginia more jobs and economic prosperity. “I think there’s a lot of common ground that we can find on economic development, on job creation, on improving schools,“ McDonnell said in a brief interview after his afternoon address to the caucus. It gathered at The Crossings in Glen Allen in Henrico County for its annual fall retreat.
November 12, 2009
McDonnell to meet with House Democratic Caucus
Ten days after his lopsided victory diminished their numbers, Governor-elect Bob McDonnell will meet tomorrow with members of the House Democratic Caucus. McDonnell accepted an invitation from the caucus to speak with members behind closed doors at the Crossings Resort in northern Henrico County. About 30 caucus members are expected to attend, including House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong, D-Henry.
November 10, 2009
Mims joining Hunton and Williams
Bill Mims, Virginia’s attorney general and a confidant of Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell, has a new job—he’s joining the regulatory and lobbying practice of a big Richmond law firm, Hunton and Williams. Mims, a former delegate and state senator who succeeded McDonnell as attorney general and helps lead the McDonnell gubernatorial transition, had been mentioned as a possible chief of staff or counsel to the next Republican chief executive.
November 08, 2009
Weakened Va. Democrats seek comeback strategy
History told Virginia Democrats it wasn’t going to be easy. For the past 32 years, the party that wins the White House has lost the governorship—a trend that sometimes portends shifts in national politics.
Two Virginia Democrats vote against health bill
Two of the six Democrats in Virginia’s congressional delegation last night voted against President Barack Obama’s 10-year, $1.2 trillion health-care reform plan. Reps. Glenn Nye, D-2nd, and Rick Boucher, D-9th, were the only Virginia lawmakers to break ranks with their parties. Nye, who serves Hampton Roads, said in a statement that the bill does not sufficiently cut health-care costs that are harming families and small businesses.
Obstacles await McDonnell administration
Big win notwithstanding, Republican Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell will start his administration hampered by a slashed state budget, a politically divided legislature and a sour economy. Less than 24 hours after he was elected Virginia’s 71st governor, McDonnell acknowledged that he will face tough economic times when he takes office Jan. 16.
November 05, 2009
GOP gains at least five Virginia House seats
Virginia Republicans gained at least five seats in Tuesday’s elections for the House of Delegates, boosting Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell ahead of his first General Assembly session. The 21st District race remains too close to call. Republican challenger Ronald A. Villanueva, a member of the Virginia Beach City Council, leads Del. Robert W. Mathieson, D-Virginia Beach, by 16 votes out of more than 15,300 cast.
November 04, 2009
McDonnell begins naming members of transition team
Advisers include Tom Farrell, head of Dominion Resources; Attorney General Bill Mims; and Kay Coles James, a cabinet official for Gov. George Allen and an official in the administration of President George W. Bush.
Obama calls McDonnell
President Barack Obama called Gov-elect Bob McDonnell late this morning — reportedly a pleasant, 10 minute conversation.
White House distances itself from electoral losses
The White House distanced itself Wednesday from Democratic losses in two states, saying the races hinged on local issues and were not a referendum on President Barack Obama.
