The State of NoVa: Politics


Posted at 08:46 AM ET, 03/08/2013

Va. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli will be sham-knocking next weekend. Wait, what?
By Tom Jackman
Either it’s a bad St. Patrick’s pun, or the candidate is up to something

By Tom Jackman  |  08:46 AM ET, 03/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics | Tags:  Ken Cuccinelli, sham-knocking, Woody Allen

Posted at 05:09 AM ET, 02/07/2013

Who should be on the new Virginia coins? A State of NoVa poll
By Tom Jackman
Modern-day icons such as Ashe, Wolfe, Grohl deserve honor

By Tom Jackman  |  05:09 AM ET, 02/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics, Prince William County | Tags:  Virginia currency, Bob Marshall, Arthur Ashe, Tom Wolfe, Dave Grohl, Patsy Cline

Posted at 05:05 AM ET, 01/28/2013

In case of emergency, Pr. William delegate wants to study a separate Virginia currency
By Tom Jackman
In case the U.S. currency collapses, Bob Marshall wants state to consider making its own gold and silver coins.

By Tom Jackman  |  05:05 AM ET, 01/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Prince William County, Politics | Tags:  Del. Bob Marshall, Virginia alternate currency, Federal Reserve System, Clarence Clemons

Posted at 05:05 AM ET, 01/23/2013

Fairfax senator’s ‘asinine’ bill to protect cyclists from ‘dooring’ passes Va. Senate easily
By Tom Jackman
Singled out for criticism, bill actually brings Va. in line with most states.

By Tom Jackman  |  05:05 AM ET, 01/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics, Traffic | Tags:  dooring, cycling, Sen. Chap Petersen

Posted at 05:08 AM ET, 01/18/2013

Firing Loudoun assessor Todd Kaufman — was it part of plan to reorganize assessment in Loudoun?
By Tom Jackman
After Todd Kaufman was ousted, revenue commissioner took the job

By Tom Jackman  |  05:08 AM ET, 01/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Loudoun County, Government, Politics | Tags:  Loudoun County assessor, Todd Kaufman, Loudoun County Commissioner of the Revenue, Bob Wertz, Loudoun Board of Supervisors, Ralph Buona

Posted at 05:11 AM ET, 01/15/2013

Bill to protect Virginia cyclists from “dooring” sparks dismissive rage from Norfolk columnist
By Tom Jackman
Virginia is one of only four states where cyclists are unprotected

By Tom Jackman  |  05:11 AM ET, 01/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics, NoVa | Tags:  dooring, cycling, Sen. Chap Petersen, Kerry Dougherty

Posted at 06:32 PM ET, 01/03/2013

Loudoun Board of Supervisors to Eugene Delgaudio: ‘No committees for you. Two years.’
By Tom Jackman
The four-term supervisor, under investigation, excluded by colleagues

By Tom Jackman  |  06:32 PM ET, 01/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Loudoun County, Politics | Tags:  Eugene Delgaudio, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, Public Advocate of the United States

Posted at 12:43 PM ET, 11/08/2012

VIDEO: Long lines at Prince William polling place in Dumfries create unrest, outrage
By Tom Jackman
Voters waited for three hours or more in heavy minority Dumfries precinct

By Tom Jackman  |  12:43 PM ET, 11/08/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Dumfries, Prince William County, Politics | Tags:  Prince William County, Election 2012, Potomac Middle School, Dumfries, polling place delays

Posted at 12:39 AM ET, 10/04/2012

Loudoun County, ground zero in Lyme disease debate, attracts Romney-Ryan offer of help
By Tom Jackman
The Republican candidate sides with those who say Lyme is a chronic illness.

By Tom Jackman  |  12:39 AM ET, 10/04/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Loudoun County, Politics | Tags:  Lyme disease, Mitt Romney, Loudoun County

Posted at 01:29 PM ET, 08/28/2012

Mount Vernon’s Evan Draim, 17, is youngest delegate to Republican National Convention
By Tom Jackman
He turns 18 next month, and is representing Virginia’s 8th Congressional District.

By Tom Jackman  |  01:29 PM ET, 08/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Mount Vernon, Politics | Tags:  Evan Draim, Republican National Convention

Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 07/26/2012

Loudoun’s Eugene Delgaudio sings against gays in the Boy Scouts
By Tom Jackman
A protest video shot before the Boy Scouts actually reinforced their ban on gay members.

By Tom Jackman  |  05:00 AM ET, 07/26/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Loudoun County, Politics | Tags:  Eugene Delgaudio, Boy Scouts of America

Posted at 06:10 PM ET, 07/12/2012

Will Fairfax County determine the next president?
By Tom Jackman
Congressmen respond to theory that defense contractors will sway Fairfax County and the entire state.

By Tom Jackman  |  06:10 PM ET, 07/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Fairfax County, Politics | Tags:  Fairfax County, presidential election, swing state

Posted at 03:34 PM ET, 06/08/2012

Prince William discretionary funds issue erupts into battle between supervisors
By Tom Jackman
A last-minute set of amendments has put a freshman supervisor at odds with a long-time supervisor.

By Tom Jackman  |  03:34 PM ET, 06/08/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Prince William County, Politics | Tags:  Peter Candland, John Jenkins, Prince William County, discretionary funds

Posted at 06:39 PM ET, 06/05/2012

Prince William board mostly eliminates ‘discretionary funds,’ but not without some political weirdness
By Tom Jackman
The practice of donating to select nonprofits, without standard county review, is over.

By Tom Jackman  |  06:39 PM ET, 06/05/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Prince William County, Politics | Tags:  Prince William County, Peter Candland, John Jenkins, discretionary funds

Posted at 04:59 PM ET, 06/04/2012

Prince William ‘discretionary funds’ up for vote Tuesday as heat is turned up high
By Tom Jackman
Many have criticized the Board of Supervisors method of handing out money to charitable projects without much oversight.

By Tom Jackman  |  04:59 PM ET, 06/04/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Prince William County, Politics | Tags:  Prince William County, Discretionary funds

Posted at 05:30 AM ET, 05/01/2012

Clifton and Haymarket have more town council vacancies than candidates running for them
By Tom Jackman
Both small towns now have write-in campaigns launched. But could an unknown suddenly seize a council seat?

By Tom Jackman  |  05:30 AM ET, 05/01/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics, Fairfax County, Prince William County | Tags:  Clifton town council, Haymarket town council, write-in candidates, write-in election

Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 03/06/2012

NoVa still counts on Super Tuesday, even if our candidates don’t
By Tom Jackman
Our two candidates aren’t on the Republican primary ballot, but Northern Virginia is still crucial political turf.

By Tom Jackman  |  05:00 AM ET, 03/06/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics, NoVa, Great Falls | Tags:  Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, Karen Santorum

Posted at 12:41 AM ET, 02/29/2012

George Allen responds quickly to Hank the Cat’s candidacy
By Tom Jackman
A new candidate for the U.S. Senate attracts a swift countermove by the former Republican senator.

By Tom Jackman  |  12:41 AM ET, 02/29/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics, Springfield | Tags:  Hank the Cat

Posted at 12:20 PM ET, 02/27/2012

Fairfax’s Dave Albo explains his viral video
By Tom Jackman
The delegate tells why he discussed his love life before the Va. General Assembly.

By Tom Jackman  |  12:20 PM ET, 02/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics, Fairfax County | Tags:  Dave Albo, Virginia

Posted at 10:20 AM ET, 01/26/2012

Loudoun FOIA battle expands into costly power struggle
By Tom Jackman
A reporter’s shot at an assessment appeal leads to a lawsuit county supervisors don’t want to pay for.

By Tom Jackman  |  10:20 AM ET, 01/26/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Loudoun County, Politics | Tags:  Loudoun Board of Equalization, Beverly Bradford, Virginia

Posted at 04:30 AM ET, 01/24/2012

Could Va. reap $500 million per year by legalizing pot?
By Tom Jackman
A NoVa legislator wants to know. Existing studies say tax revenue and law enforcement savings add up.

By Tom Jackman  |  04:30 AM ET, 01/24/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics, Alexandria | Tags:  Marijuana, Virginia

Posted at 04:15 AM ET, 01/17/2012

Herndon Mayor Steve DeBenedittis stepping down
By Tom Jackman
Steve DeBenedittis, elected during the 2006 day laborer uproar, won’t seek a fourth term.

By Tom Jackman  |  04:15 AM ET, 01/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Herndon, Politics | Tags:  Steve DeBenedittis, Virginia

Posted at 12:57 AM ET, 01/13/2012

Loudoun supervisor’s anti-gay campaign crashes the mainstream
By Tom Jackman
Gay rights groups are calling on Weekly Standard editor William Kristol to renounce an ad by Loudoun Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio.

By Tom Jackman  |  12:57 AM ET, 01/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Loudoun County, Politics | Tags:  Eugene Delgaudio, Virginia

Posted at 09:22 PM ET, 12/22/2011

Should Prince William Board have ‘discretionary funds?’
By Tom Jackman
Some are questioning the large “discretionary funds” given to each Prince William County supervisor.

By Tom Jackman  |  09:22 PM ET, 12/22/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Prince William County, Politics | Tags:  discretionary funds, Virginia

Posted at 12:15 PM ET, 12/22/2011

Fairfax City Mayor Robert Lederer to step down
By Tom Jackman
The Fairfax City native said after 10 years as mayor, and 10 years on the City Council, it’s time for someone else to take the reins.

By Tom Jackman  |  12:15 PM ET, 12/22/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Fairfax City, Politics | Tags:  Robert Lederer, Virginia

Posted at 12:44 PM ET, 12/21/2011

McLean man making strong bid for presidency; Newt Gingrich rally in Arlington tonight
By Tom Jackman
Newt Gingrich can’t deny it — he’s been living and voting in Fairfax County for years. Will that help him politically? Uh, maybe not so much.

By Tom Jackman  |  12:44 PM ET, 12/21/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  McLean, Politics, Fairfax County | Tags:  Newt Gingrich, Virginia

Posted at 12:51 PM ET, 12/07/2011

Fairfax Clerk John Frey announces run for Virginia attorney general (UPDATE: Democrats demand he resign)
By Tom Jackman
The longtime clerk of the Fairfax County Circuit Court becomes the third Republican candidate in the race. He is not stepping down from the clerk’s office.

By Tom Jackman  |  12:51 PM ET, 12/07/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Fairfax County, Politics | Tags:  John Frey, Virginia

Posted at 09:25 PM ET, 12/01/2011

Fairfax Water looking at impact of uranium mining
By Tom Jackman
While Virginia considers whether to lift a moratorium on uranium mining, for a site in southern Virginia, Fairfax Water has commissioned a study, and one board member thinks that’s a bad use of taxpayer money.

By Tom Jackman  |  09:25 PM ET, 12/01/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Fairfax County, Politics | Tags:  Fairfax Water, uranium mining, Virginia

Posted at 10:13 AM ET, 11/09/2011

Loudoun sheriff ousted; Fairfax sheriff hangs on
By Tom Jackman
Sheriff Steve Simpson, running as an independent, was swept under the Republican tide by former DEA Agent Mike Chapman, while Fairfax Sheriff Stan Barry won a fourth term handily.

By Tom Jackman  |  10:13 AM ET, 11/09/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Politics | Tags:  Mike Chapman, Steve Simpson, Stan Barry, Bill Cooper, Virginia

Posted at 09:53 PM ET, 11/06/2011

Fairfax sheriff candidate’s ad draws angry responses
By Tom Jackman
Republican challenger Bill Cooper published an ad on the eve of the election that says he is supported by deputies, officers and firefighters, though no unions or associations endorsed him.

By Tom Jackman  |  09:53 PM ET, 11/06/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Fairfax County, Politics | Tags:  Bill Cooper, Stan Barry, Virginia

Posted at 08:31 AM ET, 11/03/2011

Fairfax sheriff still fending off pension allegations
By Tom Jackman
He entered a three-year county retirement program in 2009, then decided to run for reelection this year, drawing GOP attacks.

By Tom Jackman  |  08:31 AM ET, 11/03/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Fairfax County, Politics | Tags:  Stan Barry, Bill Cooper, Virginia

Posted at 04:01 PM ET, 10/31/2011

Loudoun GOP puts bullet hole in zombie Obama’s head
By Tom Jackman
An invitation to a Halloween parade in Leesburg features an image of President Obama as a zombie with a bullet hole in his forehead.

By Tom Jackman  |  04:01 PM ET, 10/31/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Loudoun County, Politics | Tags:  Loudoun County Republican Committee, Virginia

Posted at 01:03 PM ET, 10/31/2011

Fairfax board candidate DeCarlo raps, ‘dances’
By Tom Jackman
Christopher DeCarlo, running for chairman of the county board, launches his first foray into music.

By Tom Jackman  |  01:03 PM ET, 10/31/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Fairfax County, Politics | Tags:  Christopher DeCarlo, Virginia

Posted at 05:45 PM ET, 10/07/2011

Loudoun candidate Speakman sends woman lewd photo
By Tom Jackman
Ronald Speakman, running for sheriff of Loudoun County, sent a photo of a man’s genitalia to a woman who was working for his campaign last week. He says it was intended as a joke. The woman didn’t take it that way.

By Tom Jackman  |  05:45 PM ET, 10/07/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Loudoun County, Politics | Tags:  Ronald Speakman, Virginia

Posted at 04:07 PM ET, 09/22/2011

Loudoun sheriff candidate Ron Speakman has eventful past
By Tom Jackman
When independent sheriff candidate Ron Speakman was a married, 27-year-old Leesburg police officer, he began an affair with a married woman who eventually shot him.

By Tom Jackman  |  04:07 PM ET, 09/22/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Loudoun County, Politics | Tags:  Ron Speakman, Virginia

Posted at 04:30 AM ET, 07/28/2011

Great Falls assisted living home approved by Fairfax
By Tom Jackman
Over some vociferous neighborhood opposition, a 94-bed assisted living home was approved by Fairfax supervisors for Colvin Run Road in Great Falls. Opponents say they may appeal to the courts.

By Tom Jackman  |  04:30 AM ET, 07/28/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Great Falls, Development, Politics | Tags:  Brightview, Virginia

Posted at 12:06 PM ET, 07/15/2011

Gerry Connolly is a Harry Potter fanatic
By Tom Jackman
Rep. Gerry Connolly first used Harry Potter books to teach his daughter to read, and now he’s one of those fanatics who has parties before the movies’ midnight releases. Who knew?

By Tom Jackman  |  12:06 PM ET, 07/15/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics | Tags:  Gerry Connolly, Virginia

Posted at 04:40 AM ET, 05/17/2011

Ex-Alexandria police chief, after DWI, now pondering politics
By Tom Jackman
You might have thought a politics career would be impossible for David Baker after he was arrested for drunk driving. But he’s thinking about running for Alexandria City Council.

By Tom Jackman  |  04:40 AM ET, 05/17/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Alexandria, Politics | Tags:  David Baker, Virginia

Posted at 04:17 PM ET, 05/10/2011

NoVa way more liberal than RoVa, Post poll shows
By Tom Jackman
In case there was any doubt that Northern Virginia is a liberal enclave in an otherwise conservative state, check out these tidbits from the new Washington Post poll of Virginians.

By Tom Jackman  |  04:17 PM ET, 05/10/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics | Tags:  NoVa poll, Virginia

Posted at 03:07 PM ET, 05/04/2011

Cuccinelli tweets joke about ‘hanging out’ with bin Laden
By Tom Jackman
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli posted a crack about Osama bin Laden on Twitter today, but it probably didn’t come off quite as he intended.

By Tom Jackman  |  03:07 PM ET, 05/04/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics | Tags:  Ken Cuccinelli, Virginia

Posted at 04:50 AM ET, 05/04/2011

Virginia does a lousy job of checking store scales, gas pumps
By Tom Jackman
Only two people are assigned to check all of the retail scales and gas pumps in Northern Virginia. This can lead to shortages that can add up.

By Tom Jackman  |  04:50 AM ET, 05/04/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics | Tags:  Scale inspection, Virginia

Posted at 05:37 PM ET, 05/03/2011

Fairfax City tank farm to face modern-day regulation
By Tom Jackman
The controversial oil and gas tank farm on Pickett Road in Fairfax City will have to bring itself up to modern safety and storage standards by 2021, under a bill signed Tuesday by Gov. Bob McDonnell, who initially tried to exempt the farm.

By Tom Jackman  |  05:37 PM ET, 05/03/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Fairfax City, Politics | Tags:  Fairfax City tank farm, Virginia

Posted at 05:26 AM ET, 04/22/2011

Gerry Connolly talks to 30,000 people in an hour — on the phone
By Tom Jackman
More than 30,000 Northern Virginians participated in a telephone town hall with Rep. Gerry Connolly Wednesday night. And they didn’t have to call in. Or even hold a phone. It’s the new lazy politics.

By Tom Jackman  |  05:26 AM ET, 04/22/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics | Tags:  Gerald Connolly, lazy politics, Virginia

Posted at 11:46 PM ET, 04/11/2011

Guns in Va. churches are fine, AG says
By Tom Jackman
Three Virginia legislators asked Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli the same question: “Can I take my gun to church?” Cuccinelli said, Why yes.

By Tom Jackman  |  11:46 PM ET, 04/11/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics | Tags:  guns in church, Ken Cuccinelli, Virginia

Posted at 10:40 PM ET, 04/10/2011

Loudoun County redistricts and renames its parts
By Tom Jackman
Loudoun County, America’s wealthiest county, nearly doubled in population in 10 years and so had to redraw its districts and rename some of them. Some arguments ensued.

By Tom Jackman  |  10:40 PM ET, 04/10/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Loudoun County, Politics | Tags:  redistricting, Virginia, Jennie Dean

Posted at 10:38 AM ET, 04/09/2011

George Allen asks Craig Melvin his position (UPDATE: And apologizes)
By Tom Jackman
Former Sen. George Allen asked a black local news reporter, again, what position he played. None, again, NBC 4’s Craig Melvin told him.

By Tom Jackman  |  10:38 AM ET, 04/09/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics | Tags:  Craig Melvin, George Allen, Virginia, Politics

Posted at 12:43 PM ET, 04/08/2011

NoVa is “ground zero” for federal shutdown
By Tom Jackman
Northern Virginia has more than 163,000 federal employees who might be facing furlough, which makes it “ground zero” for the impending government shutdown.

By Tom Jackman  |  12:43 PM ET, 04/08/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Alexandria, Politics | Tags:  federal shutdown, Rep. Jim Moran, Virginia

Posted at 09:39 AM ET, 04/07/2011

McDonnell to Fairfax City: Enjoy your gas and oil spills (UPDATE: Legislators reject amendment)
By Tom Jackman
Gov. Bob McDonnell is rejecting a plan which would have ordered the notorious Fairfax City tank farm to meet modern standards — by 2021.

By Tom Jackman  |  09:39 AM ET, 04/07/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Fairfax City, Politics | Tags:  Fairfax City tank farm, Virginia, TransMontaigne

Posted at 06:31 AM ET, 04/06/2011

State of NoVa’s Top 31 coolest NoVa blogs
By Tom Jackman
The State of NoVa establishes its first list of the Top 31 coolest Northern Virginia blogs.

By Tom Jackman  |  06:31 AM ET, 04/06/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Politics | Tags:  blogs, bruce springsteen

Posted at 04:13 PM ET, 04/04/2011

Where in the world is Alicia Hughes?
By Tom Jackman
Alexandria Councilwoman Alicia Hughes now has a reckless driving ticket in Va. Beach to contend with.

By Tom Jackman  |  04:13 PM ET, 04/04/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Alexandria, Politics | Tags:  Alexandria, Virginia, Politics