Virginia’s Republican Party is accusing Democratic lawmakers of carrying out a “political hit” by refusing to advance a number of nominations made by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in various state committees.

Virginia Democrat on the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee I voted The Richmond Times-Dispatch on Tuesday killed off the appointments of several prominent candidates, including Meg Bryce, who was appointed to the State Board of Education, and Yesri Vega, who was appointed to the State Board of Health. Reported. Brice is the daughter of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, and Vega previously ran for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.

A source familiar with the matter told the Caller that Brandeis Center founder Kenneth Marcus, whom Mr. Youngkin had nominated to serve on George Mason University’s board of directors, was also blocked from promotion.

The Senate Privileges and Elections Committee selects the nominees to move to the Senate floor for a full vote. Republicans on the committee said they were confused as to why the candidates were not moving forward and accused Democrats of orchestrating a “political blowback” against Mr. Yonkin.

“There’s one guy whose father was a Supreme Court Justice who ran for Congress. There’s another guy who was Mike Pence’s chief of staff. I think it’s hard to say they’re not qualified. Something like that. I’m sure there are other reasons, but to me this seems more like a political hit job,” Republican state Sen. Bill DeSteph said during Tuesday’s hearing.

RICHMOND, VA – JANUARY 10: Governor Glenn Youngkin shakes hands with Delegate Chairman Don Scott at the Virginia State Capitol on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia (Photo by Minn Connors, Washington Post, via Getty Images)

RICHMOND, VA – MARCH 9: The Virginia House of Delegates will meet on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
(Photo by Min Connors for The Washington Post, via Getty Images)

Democratic Party Chairman Aaron Rouse fired back, saying that “some of these appointees are not aligned with the goals and values ​​of the particular boards to which they were being appointed,” and that the candidates said he could not move forward.

Democratic Sen. Adam Ebbin also said, “The fact that someone is running is not a reason for us to attack them. We simply judged it to be inconsistent with our expectations, goals, and values.” .

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin speaks at an inaugural event at Capital One Arena on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump will be inaugurated for his second term as the 47th President of the United States. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

TRIANGLE, VA – NOVEMBER 7: Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Republican candidate for Northern Virginia’s 7th Congressional District Yesri Vega perform at Locust Shade Park in Triangle, Virginia on November 7, 2022. speaking to reporters after an election event. Republicans hope to wrest the House majority from Democrats. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)

People familiar with the proceedings told the Caller that Democrats have not made clear which “values” they have determined are “inconsistent.”

“We don’t know why these individuals were removed. When we contacted the chair and the senator who introduced the motion, there was very little transparency,” Republican Sen. Tara Durant’s spokesperson said in a statement to the Caller. mentioned in.

Republican Sen. Danny Diggs told a caller: I don’t understand. ”

Republicans are particularly concerned about Marcus’ nomination given recent issues with anti-Semitism at George Mason University. An Egyptian citizen living in the United States was arrested in December on suspicion of planning a “mass casualty” attack on the Israeli consulate. (Related: Egyptian student living in US arrested for planning ‘mass casualty’ attack on New York news)

On November 7, police raided the home of two leaders of Students for Palestine Justice at George Mason University, accused of vandalism on campus. Police found Hamas and Hezbollah flags and signs reading “Death to America” ​​and “Death to the Jews” inside. large amount The Washington Free Beacon reported that there was a large cache of ammunition and foreign passports.

“I spend my time fighting anti-Semitism, so I don’t know whose values ​​are inconsistent with anti-Semitism,” Marcus told the caller over the phone. He added that the Democratic Party had not contacted him regarding his appointment.

Rouse and other Democrats on the committee did not respond to requests for comment.