2025 VA Governor's race

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trump just handed the Governor’s race to Spanberger. Thousands of Feds and Fed adjacent workers fired and/or disparaged. NOVA cares far more about this than a boundary fight or what bathroom people use. It’s an existential threat. Morons.

The state government doesn't make these decisions. In general, the antipathy that people have towards local leaders carries over to state elections more than their feelings about the federal government.

Exactly this. People will vote R for governor if they think it will put a check on local leaders who have gone too far left. The Democratic Party operative who keeps posting here with such confidence is so very clueless. It really shows you how much trouble the Democrats are in. They are not talking to the right people and they’re not asking the right questions.

Hahaha. There is no way in hell a Republican is winning the governor race this year

+1 not everyone in Fairfax County/VA in general has kids in public school. But most people have a job, and many jobs are connected to the federal government. And ALL of our jobs are connected to the greater economic picture. Also if Youngkin taught us anything, it’s that Richmond isn’t going to get involved in the local school districts. We still have just as much “CRT” (which I guess they’re now calling DEI) as we did in 2021.

Also - rumors of a R primary are swirling with some saying they want to run someone against Sears. Meanwhile the Spanberger campaign is already in general election mode.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trump just handed the Governor’s race to Spanberger. Thousands of Feds and Fed adjacent workers fired and/or disparaged. NOVA cares far more about this than a boundary fight or what bathroom people use. It’s an existential threat. Morons.

The state government doesn't make these decisions. In general, the antipathy that people have towards local leaders carries over to state elections more than their feelings about the federal government.

Exactly this. People will vote R for governor if they think it will put a check on local leaders who have gone too far left. The Democratic Party operative who keeps posting here with such confidence is so very clueless. It really shows you how much trouble the Democrats are in. They are not talking to the right people and they’re not asking the right questions.

Hahaha. There is no way in hell a Republican is winning the governor race this year

+1 not everyone in Fairfax County/VA in general has kids in public school. But most people have a job, and many jobs are connected to the federal government. And ALL of our jobs are connected to the greater economic picture. Also if Youngkin taught us anything, it’s that Richmond isn’t going to get involved in the local school districts. We still have just as much “CRT” (which I guess they’re now calling DEI) as we did in 2021.

Also - rumors of a R primary are swirling with some saying they want to run someone against Sears. Meanwhile the Spanberger campaign is already in general election mode.

Musk is threatening to back a right wing candidate bc he doesn’t like Sears. Whether the republicans agree to a primary vs a caucus is TBD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:T. McAuliffe could have chances if he doesn’t repeat the mistake of siding with teachers.

He was absolutely right about that. Parents were out of control and should have stayed in their lane. Our schools are still suffering because parents bought into that bullshit about how they should be able to micromanage what happens in schools.

He won the election for Youngkin. Idiotic school boards in northern Virginia seem to be the best path for a Republican to win state wide. FCPS is doing their part by making noises about boundary changes that would go into effect the same school year as the next general election

Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. I’m looking at you, FCPS. This election is too important for you to F up with your pet projects. It’s time to put a public lid on that boundary change nonsense before it becomes any more of a distraction than it already has.

Fairfax county residents were warned about the Dem-dominated plan for nuclear boundary changes in 2019. The school board backed off a little and instead of delivering them a stinging rebuke for trying to sneak it past the public and lying about their motivations, voters rewarded them with 100% control.

If the Dems don't go ahead with equity boundaries while they have 100% control what is even the point. Equity is at the center of everything they do, presidency and governorship be damned.

Local politicians trying to boost their own blue state credentials are putting the bigger ticket at risk. They need to knock it off.

This “it’s now or never for equity” approach is foolish. It’s not about whether Fairfax voters continue to vote for a democratic school board. Fairfax will remain blue no matter what. But “remaining blue” is not enough for Spanberger to win. The boundary issue is a big deal and it will move enough votes to matter given the trends elsewhere in the state.

This is a real issue that presents a real risk to folks who have invested in Spanberger and her future success. Wake. Up.

Winsome-Sears won on anger over education last time. It is not a new playbook for her team. If FCPS pushes on with this nonsense it will be yet another “own-goal” by the democrats.

The ambitions of local politicians who could not win at the next level will not be permitted to tank the race for Richmond. Those who put their own career goals ahead of the party and cost the democrats the governor’s race are putting a hard ceiling on their long-term support from folks who matter.

There is no reason to gift the republicans this issue. We need to see some public action taken by certain individuals to put this issue to rest NOW, before it becomes THE issue. Statements that public concerns are “just speculation” and folks should “wait and see” are NOT enough.

The tide is rising quickly. Waiting until June to reveal some “small changes” is not getting out in front of the issue.

Seriously, get a clue. How hard is it to say “we are pausing our review in view of ongoing budgetary concerns” and pick the whole thing up again in two years, after we take back Richmond. Doing this now puts YOUR career goals ahead of the party. KNOCK IT OFF.

Pausing a divisive, anger-fueling issue for 2 years seems wise for the time being.
Sometimes some things look very different after 2 years. APS (granted, much smaller than FFX) was about to embark on sweeping middle school boundary changes, when they instead decided to do very stringent (in their eyes) residency checks. Turns out 300+ students at just ONE middle school were actually residents in another jurisdiction, even by APS definitions. Problem suddenly solved! Thousands of $$$ saved. Public mayhem averted. Boundary issue was shelved.
I can only imagine what's happening in a system as big as FFX, if they don't enforce any rules.

So curious which school! That’s nuts! Was it all DC or Fairfax kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:T. McAuliffe could have chances if he doesn’t repeat the mistake of siding with teachers.

He was absolutely right about that. Parents were out of control and should have stayed in their lane. Our schools are still suffering because parents bought into that bullshit about how they should be able to micromanage what happens in schools.

He won the election for Youngkin. Idiotic school boards in northern Virginia seem to be the best path for a Republican to win state wide. FCPS is doing their part by making noises about boundary changes that would go into effect the same school year as the next general election

Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. I’m looking at you, FCPS. This election is too important for you to F up with your pet projects. It’s time to put a public lid on that boundary change nonsense before it becomes any more of a distraction than it already has.

Fairfax county residents were warned about the Dem-dominated plan for nuclear boundary changes in 2019. The school board backed off a little and instead of delivering them a stinging rebuke for trying to sneak it past the public and lying about their motivations, voters rewarded them with 100% control.

If the Dems don't go ahead with equity boundaries while they have 100% control what is even the point. Equity is at the center of everything they do, presidency and governorship be damned.

Local politicians trying to boost their own blue state credentials are putting the bigger ticket at risk. They need to knock it off.

This “it’s now or never for equity” approach is foolish. It’s not about whether Fairfax voters continue to vote for a democratic school board. Fairfax will remain blue no matter what. But “remaining blue” is not enough for Spanberger to win. The boundary issue is a big deal and it will move enough votes to matter given the trends elsewhere in the state.

This is a real issue that presents a real risk to folks who have invested in Spanberger and her future success. Wake. Up.

Winsome-Sears won on anger over education last time. It is not a new playbook for her team. If FCPS pushes on with this nonsense it will be yet another “own-goal” by the democrats.

The ambitions of local politicians who could not win at the next level will not be permitted to tank the race for Richmond. Those who put their own career goals ahead of the party and cost the democrats the governor’s race are putting a hard ceiling on their long-term support from folks who matter.

There is no reason to gift the republicans this issue. We need to see some public action taken by certain individuals to put this issue to rest NOW, before it becomes THE issue. Statements that public concerns are “just speculation” and folks should “wait and see” are NOT enough.

The tide is rising quickly. Waiting until June to reveal some “small changes” is not getting out in front of the issue.

Seriously, get a clue. How hard is it to say “we are pausing our review in view of ongoing budgetary concerns” and pick the whole thing up again in two years, after we take back Richmond. Doing this now puts YOUR career goals ahead of the party. KNOCK IT OFF.

Pausing a divisive, anger-fueling issue for 2 years seems wise for the time being.
Sometimes some things look very different after 2 years. APS (granted, much smaller than FFX) was about to embark on sweeping middle school boundary changes, when they instead decided to do very stringent (in their eyes) residency checks. Turns out 300+ students at just ONE middle school were actually residents in another jurisdiction, even by APS definitions. Problem suddenly solved! Thousands of $$$ saved. Public mayhem averted. Boundary issue was shelved.
I can only imagine what's happening in a system as big as FFX, if they don't enforce any rules.

So curious which school! That’s nuts! Was it all DC or Fairfax kids?

DP but I’m assuming mostly Alexandria City kids, maybe a few Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trump just handed the Governor’s race to Spanberger. Thousands of Feds and Fed adjacent workers fired and/or disparaged. NOVA cares far more about this than a boundary fight or what bathroom people use. It’s an existential threat. Morons.

The state government doesn't make these decisions. In general, the antipathy that people have towards local leaders carries over to state elections more than their feelings about the federal government.

Exactly this. People will vote R for governor if they think it will put a check on local leaders who have gone too far left. The Democratic Party operative who keeps posting here with such confidence is so very clueless. It really shows you how much trouble the Democrats are in. They are not talking to the right people and they’re not asking the right questions.

Hahaha. There is no way in hell a Republican is winning the governor race this year

+1 not everyone in Fairfax County/VA in general has kids in public school. But most people have a job, and many jobs are connected to the federal government. And ALL of our jobs are connected to the greater economic picture. Also if Youngkin taught us anything, it’s that Richmond isn’t going to get involved in the local school districts. We still have just as much “CRT” (which I guess they’re now calling DEI) as we did in 2021.

Also - rumors of a R primary are swirling with some saying they want to run someone against Sears. Meanwhile the Spanberger campaign is already in general election mode.

Musk is threatening to back a right wing candidate bc he doesn’t like Sears. Whether the republicans agree to a primary vs a caucus is TBD.

Musk is so generally disliked that candidates would be wise to steer clear.

If he actually cared about winning he would very discreetly back someone…and he would back a moderate.

What would a “right wing” candidate espouse that Sears does not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trump just handed the Governor’s race to Spanberger. Thousands of Feds and Fed adjacent workers fired and/or disparaged. NOVA cares far more about this than a boundary fight or what bathroom people use. It’s an existential threat. Morons.

The state government doesn't make these decisions. In general, the antipathy that people have towards local leaders carries over to state elections more than their feelings about the federal government.

Exactly this. People will vote R for governor if they think it will put a check on local leaders who have gone too far left. The Democratic Party operative who keeps posting here with such confidence is so very clueless. It really shows you how much trouble the Democrats are in. They are not talking to the right people and they’re not asking the right questions.

Hahaha. There is no way in hell a Republican is winning the governor race this year

+1 not everyone in Fairfax County/VA in general has kids in public school. But most people have a job, and many jobs are connected to the federal government. And ALL of our jobs are connected to the greater economic picture. Also if Youngkin taught us anything, it’s that Richmond isn’t going to get involved in the local school districts. We still have just as much “CRT” (which I guess they’re now calling DEI) as we did in 2021.

Also - rumors of a R primary are swirling with some saying they want to run someone against Sears. Meanwhile the Spanberger campaign is already in general election mode.

Musk is threatening to back a right wing candidate bc he doesn’t like Sears. Whether the republicans agree to a primary vs a caucus is TBD.

Musk is so generally disliked that candidates would be wise to steer clear.

If he actually cared about winning he would very discreetly back someone…and he would back a moderate.

What would a “right wing” candidate espouse that Sears does not?

Dave LaRock, he's an election denier and Jan 6er. I believe Musk has been threatening to back his campaign unless Sears starts praising Trump. This could also be why Youngkin is walking a fine line with his public comments re DOGE.

IMO Virginia isn't going to elect an extreme right wing Republican governor no matter how much money Musk gives the candidate. Musk thinking he can just throw money at his perceived problem shows a complete lack of knowledge of Virginia state politics. FAFO.

[Anonymous]

New Roanoke College poll puts Trump's disapproval rating among Virginia voters at 59 percent, the highest of either of his terms. Approval rating only 37 percent in the state. Spanberger leads Sears by 15 points in Roanoke's gubernatorial poll.

https://www.roanoke.edu/documents/rcpoll/RC%20Poll%20Topline%20February%202025.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trump just handed the Governor’s race to Spanberger. Thousands of Feds and Fed adjacent workers fired and/or disparaged. NOVA cares far more about this than a boundary fight or what bathroom people use. It’s an existential threat. Morons.

The state government doesn't make these decisions. In general, the antipathy that people have towards local leaders carries over to state elections more than their feelings about the federal government.

Exactly this. People will vote R for governor if they think it will put a check on local leaders who have gone too far left. The Democratic Party operative who keeps posting here with such confidence is so very clueless. It really shows you how much trouble the Democrats are in. They are not talking to the right people and they’re not asking the right questions.

Hahaha. There is no way in hell a Republican is winning the governor race this year

+1 not everyone in Fairfax County/VA in general has kids in public school. But most people have a job, and many jobs are connected to the federal government. And ALL of our jobs are connected to the greater economic picture. Also if Youngkin taught us anything, it’s that Richmond isn’t going to get involved in the local school districts. We still have just as much “CRT” (which I guess they’re now calling DEI) as we did in 2021.

Also - rumors of a R primary are swirling with some saying they want to run someone against Sears. Meanwhile the Spanberger campaign is already in general election mode.

Musk is threatening to back a right wing candidate bc he doesn’t like Sears. Whether the republicans agree to a primary vs a caucus is TBD.

Musk is so generally disliked that candidates would be wise to steer clear.

If he actually cared about winning he would very discreetly back someone…and he would back a moderate.

What would a “right wing” candidate espouse that Sears does not?

Sears was squishy on supporting Trump for a bit after January 6, IIRC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New Roanoke College poll puts Trump's disapproval rating among Virginia voters at 59 percent, the highest of either of his terms. Approval rating only 37 percent in the state. Spanberger leads Sears by 15 points in Roanoke's gubernatorial poll.

https://www.roanoke.edu/documents/rcpoll/RC%20Poll%20Topline%20February%202025.pdf

Yup. Tons of undecideds though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a parent who has voted 'D' for decades, I can tell you I plan on voting straight 'R' for all the local elections up through Governor due to this whole FCPS rezoning fiasco. Anything to prevent something like this from happening again. The whole process is terrible for everyone involved. They are stating goals without any concrete plans presented in the name of a very nebulous "equity" goal. They've let the community speculate on what they might do for far to long and now everyone is worked up and at each others' throats trying to save themselves. If they had been doing their jobs all along this wouldn't be necessary, and even still a massive move affecting possibly every kid in the county isn't necessary. Plan ahead. Expand the middle schools and transition one period at a time to 6-8. Only make the moves necessary to fix overcrowding while actually working to improve underperforming schools - not just move in kids from somewhere else to get the average test scores up without actually fixing anything for the students who go there.

I hope the governor and even the president come down on them hard for this debacle. It would be the one silver lining to losing at the state and federal level last time.

Same. I've never voted R in my life, but what FCPS is trying to do is so shockingly nuts. And for the record, I'm a fed who is probably losing or getting forced out of their job by the current administration.

[Anonymous]

Are you a proponent of “school choice” and allowing anyone who wants to go to McLean HS (or any school) to go there? I don’t even want say anything since I’m in my season of FAFO and think everyone deserves what they get when voting R. But here you are:

“Governor Glenn Youngkin declared this week school choice week…The state senate plans to vote on a bill that could allow parents to decide where their child goes to school, regardless of where they live. If the legislation passes, for example, students who live outside the area zoned for McLean high school could attend the school.”

I’m so sick of uneducated people that I actually hope an R is elected and this happens.

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/new-legislation-could-change-school-zoning-for-virginia-students.amp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you a proponent of “school choice” and allowing anyone who wants to go to McLean HS (or any school) to go there? I don’t even want say anything since I’m in my season of FAFO and think everyone deserves what they get when voting R. But here you are:

“Governor Glenn Youngkin declared this week school choice week…The state senate plans to vote on a bill that could allow parents to decide where their child goes to school, regardless of where they live. If the legislation passes, for example, students who live outside the area zoned for McLean high school could attend the school.”

I’m so sick of uneducated people that I actually hope an R is elected and this happens.

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/new-legislation-could-change-school-zoning-for-virginia-students.amp

The issue is that McLean families will blame Democrats for it.

Youngkin is trying to leave a bomb for Democrats to defuse - if they ditch Youngkin's plan, it looks like they are against working class residents. If they stick with Youngkin's plan, the Democrats get blamed by wealthier, moderate NoVA voters who are impacted.

Just further proof that Youngkin is a country club troll who doesn't give two sh#ts about Virginians.

[Anonymous]

Youngkin won because we have off year elections and it was right after covid and parents were pissed and mcauliffe made a dumb remark. It was also before Roe was overturned. If the election had been held after that, I don’t think he would have won.

Spanberger is a well liked moderate. Everyone on DCUM always forgets about Richmond of course. But she’s well liked in the middle/upper middle class Richmond suburbs where her kids go to school. I actually taught her husband when I was very early in a teaching career. He grew up in Henrico.

She is the perfect kind of candidate for Virginia and she’s done a good job so far not putting her foot in her mouth.

I never want to predict anything anymore because who the hell knows, and I definitely don’t think we should assume anything, but I would be very surprised given 1. Trump 2. Layoffs 3. Roe 4. Her moderate positions 5. Her ties to the Virginia community 6. Her previous wins (she won over Dave Brat after HE won over Eric Cantor if anyone remembers) if she didn’t win.

[Anonymous]

Dave Larock's website is up and running and there is a testimonial from a dead person.

If you scroll down and see the rotating testimonials, you will see that Kay Gunter encourages you to vote for Larock. He only confirmed his bid to run 2 days ago. But Kay is a "deceased person". So how does that timeline work? Did she give this testimonial on her death bed?

The truth is stranger than fiction.

https://davelarockforva.com

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t rule out a Republican win, especially with the talking points I’ve seen over the last week. Vivek is running for gov in Ohio and has discussed ending property taxes.

Combine that with other GOP conversations around abolishing income tax, and Virginians get to choose between keeping their money and being taxed blind.

Spanberger does not have this in the bag.