Four-term Petersburg Treasurer Carole S. Matthews is being challenged by a political newcomer in next month’s Democratic primary. Businessman Kevin A. Brown, 46, who has 20 years’ experience in commercial finance, promises better customer service, efficiency and transparency at the Treasurer’s Office. Matthews has deep roots in the city, having lived there for 25 years. Brown moved to Petersburg four years ago and is part of an active group of new residents seeking changes in city government.

The House Privileges and Elections Committee effectively killed a bipartisan redistricting bill yesterday when the committee refused to reconsider a vote taken by its subcommittee Monday. The subcommittee voted 4-2 to kill the measure, which would set up a bipartisan commission to advise the legislature on drawing new lines for legislative and congressional districts. The General Assembly will redraw the lines in 2011 after the 2010 census.

Tuesday saw two special elections to fill vacancies in the House of Delegates. To tell the truth, the contests barely qualified as elections and certainly not as special.

Barack Obama clobbered John McCain among Hispanic voters. Indeed, his strength among Hispanics contributed to his victories in Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and—yes—Virginia.

Attorney General Bob McDonnell wants to shorten lines at polling places by making it easier to add precincts. He also is proposing the idea of “closing officials” who would report to precincts at the end of Election Day to help weary officials count ballots. The ideas are among several election reforms McDonnell outlined yesterday ahead of the General Assembly session.