Pod Virginia

IN THE NEWS:

Despite sensationalist media coverage, recent FBI statistics reveal that crime rates in Virginia, and nationwide, have actually decreased significantly over the past three decades--with blue states having lower crime rates than red states. So what causes the news reports and political rhetoric that says these are the most dangerous times?

Virginia doesn't require primary voters to register as Democrats or Republicans; and last week, Democrats were worried by Republican calls for their voters to vote in Democratic primaries potentially shifting the results. But those worries weren't borne out--and evidence shows that cross-party voting has never been an effective political rool.

With the primaries finished, both Democrats and Republicans are calling the other side extremists--with Democrats pointing to the MAGA movements and Republicans pointing to recent electric vehicle mandates that'll go into effect by 2030.

At the Watercooler:
- "Tiger King"'s Doc Antle was just convicted in Virginia for trafficking endangered lions
- Republicans House candidates have been especially quiet in their respose to last week's primary results

TRIVIA: What county did George Washington represent in the House of Burgesses?

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The day's finally here. Primary results are in, and the results is a surprising amount of turnoveer. Saddam Salim defeats Chap Petersen. Lashrecse Aird defeats Joe Morrissey. Glen Sturtevant defeats Amanda Chase...and a whole host of other races. Fmr. Delegate David Ramadan (R-Loudoun) joins Thomas and Michael to break down what Tuesday's results means for November's general election and the future of Virginia's legislature.

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Thomas and Aaryan sit down to discuss some last thoughts on some of the top primary races going into tomorrow's election: Foy vs Ayala? Aird vs Morrissey? Will Amanda Chase hold on? And what's going on in Northern Virginia?


Happy Juneteenth!


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This week, the Virginia Beach School Board held an eight-hour meeting that ended at 2 AM, voting on two resolutions: passing one that affirmed a commitment to non-discrimination against LGBTQ+ youth, and rejecting a proposal that would create a list of library materials with "objectionable content."

On this episode, we're joined by Emily LaBar and Jacob Cruz, two student organizers who worked with dozens of fellow students and school board members over several months to help pass the non-discrimination resolution. They discuss their path to organizing their community, passing the resolution, and affirming the safety of LGBTQ+ students in the face of model policies that threaten their rights.

Read more on the story: Virginia Beach School Board approves LGBTQ resolution (pilotonline.com)

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IN THE NEWS:

Charlottesville is taking the lead in early turnout. That's true in both the Senate race with the most early votes and two House races that have the highest turnout so far according to an analysis from the Virginia Public Access Project. The high-stakes Senate primary between Senator Creigh Deeds and Delegate Sally Hudson might be driving the trend.

The controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline is moving ahead as part of the deal reached on the federal debt ceiling negotiations. But as the effects of climate change continue to rear their heads, environmentalists say the pipeline continues to lock us into a key greenhouse gas--methane.

Before the new set of political maps was created by the state Supreme Court last year, Virginia engaged in a process critics call prison gerrymandering. People who are incarcerated were counted at the prison or jail instead of their home or last known address. Now, that's no longer the case.

At the Watercooler:
- The Richmond shooting that left two dead--and what Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl-Sears had to say in the immediate aftermath
- Primary day is coming up!

TRIVIA: What shade of blue is Virginia's flag supposed to be?

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This week, Michael is joined by Kellen Squire, an emergency care nurse and a candidate running in the Democratic primary for Virginia's 55th state House District. Squire recently came under fire for a 2017 draft of his campaign website that claimed he was "pro-life," only to advocate for progressive policies rather than restriction of abortion access. Squire says the framing was intended to build credibility with Republican voters who agree with progressive positions (such as providing maternal care, school lunches, and sex education)--and that he dropped the tactic shortly after receiving feedback that it would backfire.

In this episode, Squire explicitly rules out any restrictions on abortion access and discusses the criticism from his primary opponent, who he says was aware of his position before the most recent wave of of media attention.

Content Warning: This episode includes a description of an ectopic pregnancy and abortion.

Note: this episode includes some distorted audio. When asked about 35 minutes into the episode whether he supports any restrictions on abortion, the first word of Squire's response is "No."

IN THE NEWS:

Mobilized and Politicized: Governor Glenn Youngkin is sending 100 National Guard troops to the southern border in Texas next month, a move that will cost milions every month, and which critics say is politically motivated.

The Budget Standoff Continues: Everyone involved in the negotiatons for Virginia's budget amendment is waiting for the June 20th primary deadline to pass...and with many state reps involved in active primary fights, the Democrats reluctant to give Youngkin a win, and both parties hoping for a shake-up that'll bring the next General Assembly in their favor, it's unlikely we'll see a deal in the next few weeks at all.

The War of Wireless Aggression: The Prince William County Board of Supervisors is considering a huge data center next door to the Manassas Battlefield, a proposal that is raising alarm among people who are concerned about urbanization of rural land. Others say data centers bring in huge revenue for local governments.



At the Watercooler:
- The Mountain Valley Pipeline may well move be moving forward after all--eminent domain and all
- Six Virginia newspapers are moving from a daily model to three days a week

TRIVIA: What is Virginia's state liquor?

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This week, Michael and Thomas are joined by Heidi Drauschak and Saddam Salim, two Democrats who are primarying incumbent state Senators in the upcoming election. Heidi is running in the newly drawn State Senate District 35, challenging Senator Dave Marsden, while Saddam is running in the 37th District, challenging Senator Chap Petersen. In this interview, Heidi and Saddam discuss where they stand on the issues, where their opponents have made mistakes, and why they're the best fit to help shape Virginia's upcoming General Assembly.

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Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

IN THE NEWS:

Every group makes endorsements, but which ones make a difference? Experts say it's generally those that have cash to back up the affirmation. And what's going on with the endorsements in the Deeds vs Hudson state senate primary?

Speaking of endorsements--while school board races are technically nonpartisan, endorsements from political parties are quickly becoming huge factors in school board races across the country. As a result, some state parties are creating a primary system so voters can participate in which candidate gets the nod.

Four years ago, a group of commonwealth's attorneys were elected and started taking a new approach to law and order. They called themselves Progressive Prosecutors for Justice, and they advocated for the abolition of the death penalty, ending cash bail and getting rid of mandatory minimum sentences. Now a few of their most prominent members have challengers in the Democratic primary in Fairfax and Loudoun and Arlington


At the Watercooler:
- Joe Morrissey's estranged wife Myrna files suit with allegations of abuse
- A deep dive from the Virginian Pilot about the history of Virginia's slightly-revealing state seal

TRIVIA: What is Virginia's state insect?

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Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

This week, Michael and Thomas are joined by Wanda Bertram, Communications Strategist for the Prison Policy Initiative, to discuss Virginia's practice of using "civil commitment centers"-- facilities that continue incarcerating people convicted of sexual crimes after they've finished their prison sentences. Sometimes, they're held in those facilities indefinitely. With less data from these treatment facilities than we get from prisons, Wanda, Michael, and Thomas discuss the constitutionality and ethics of this practice--and what might need to change in the future.

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Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia