A little update for you all, though maybe a bit informal. We’ve been a month since the Virginia election, and things are starting to heat up…

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Bridging the Gap

The latest A2 poll across Virginia’s 771 polling locations shows Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears trailing just three points behind former Democrat Abigail Spanberger in the race for governor. An older CO/efficient poll indicates a six-point drop, while Onmessage, a GOP public strategy firm, has Sears under five points.

Despite this, the race still seems like a long shot for Republicans. Virginia typically leans blue, and Sears lacks the grassroots organization that helped Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2021. Critically, the government shutdown isn’t something Democrats can be blamed for, especially given the population dynamics in Northern Virginia.

Yet, there are some encouraging signs for Sears. Democrats continue to push controversial transgender policies in schools, which could work against them, as seen in the 2021 election. Spanberger didn’t handle a critical moment well when Democrat Terry McAuliffe said parents shouldn’t dictate school curriculum; her response could have been stronger.

“Until recently, Virginia had a process where schools, principals, parents, and coaches decided on issues of fairness, competitiveness, and safety. I’m a mother of three daughters involved in public school activities, so I understand the concerns families have over these issues. The previous system worked well for a decade, taking community specifics into account. That’s a process we should stick with.”

Meanwhile, Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun counties have faced scandals connected to school transgender policies. Reports show one jurisdiction ignoring federal warnings that could lead to losing funds if boys are allowed in girls’ sports and facilities.

The implications of allowing boys in girls’ spaces have already been troubling in Virginia. A registered sex offender, Richard Cox, was caught exposing himself to a minor at public schools and recreational centers. He was allowed in these facilities because staff recognized him as a woman. He faces multiple counts related to indecent exposure.

This wasn’t his first incident. He had previously entered several women’s facilities in Fairfax County under the same claim. Witnesses in Arlington reported seeing him engage in inappropriate behavior in front of children. Investigators even discovered concerning material on his devices, yet Fairfax County Prosecutor Steve Descano declined to pursue charges, citing a lack of “probable cause.”

In Loudoun County, two boys were disciplined for feeling uncomfortable with a girl identifying as a boy in their locker room, despite her reportedly filming inappropriately. They faced suspension for “sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination,” even though the girl violated district policies.

Sears has addressed these incidents, which led to a rather surprising response from some protesters, illustrating the tensions surrounding these policies.

As for the broader elections, it’s possible the governor’s race and attorney general’s could shift in unpredictable ways. Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares is running for re-election against Democratic candidate Jay Jones, who is embroiled in controversy after being previously convicted for reckless driving at an excessively high speed.

What makes it worse is how he completed his community service. Out of 1,000 required hours, he spent half on his political committee and the other half assisting the Virginia NAACP while simultaneously aiding the Youngkin administration.

The latest polls from Onmessage show the attorney general race tied. This is definitely one to keep an eye on.

What else is on my mind?

Here’s the best piece of shutdown news I’ve seen!

Exclusive: Deportation flights persist despite government closures

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There’s an urgent need to pay attention to why Mikier Cheryl’s role in naval academy misconduct is worrying.

Mikier Cheryl’s unclear response to the navy fraud scandal raises serious concerns

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The situation in the UK is dire…

A British ‘asylum seeker’ is accused of raping a 15-year-old female student and referred to her as his ‘sex doll.’