RICHMOND POLITICS




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Salon De Résistance | Art Against Power

Join us for Salon de Résistance on April 30 at Black Iris for an unfiltered conversation about the role of art and culture during times of political upheaval with three of Richmond's leading artists. This is a free event open to the public. Event...

Vote Yes. What’s Missing From the “Vote No” Argument

I had a friend ask me about redistricting. He was trying to figure out how to vote and admitted he did not really understand what was happening. He leans left, so the fact that he was unsure says something about how this issue is being presented right now.  Virginia...

Cannabis Justice Moves Forward in Virginia After Years of Debate

Virginia’s effort to revisit outdated cannabis convictions is moving forward again, though in a revised form that shifts how people access relief. Governor Abigail Spanberger’s amendments to SB 62 / HB 26 replace the bill’s original automatic resentencing framework...

New Bill to Allow Psilocybin Treatment, per FDA Approval

Lawmakers are clearing the way for use of the psychedelic mushroom compound psilocybin as a potential medical treatment, once a formulation is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Senate Bill 379 directs the state Board of Pharmacy to reschedule psilocybin...

Can Richmond Have Bars? New Virginia Law Eases Food-to-Alcohol Rules

Virginia lawmakers have approved changes to the state’s long-standing food-to-alcohol sales requirement for restaurants, easing restrictions that many operators have said no longer reflect how the industry works. The legislation, HB975, passed during the 2026 General...

Virginia Lawmakers Clash Over $1.6B Data Center Tax Breaks

State lawmakers will soon return to the Capitol after ending the General Assembly session without a budget, in part due to some debate whether to continue current tax breaks for data centers. The Democratic-led Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee put forth a...

Key Gun Control Bills Advance in Virginia as Firearm Sales Surge

Early indicators suggest Virginians responded to a slate of proposed gun control legislation with a noticeable increase in firearm background checks. The bills mark one the most significant shifts in the state’s firearm laws in recent years, and build on previously...

Perfect 100! Richmond’s Commitment To LGBTQ+ Rights

Richmond has achieved a perfect score of 100 on the 2024 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), a comprehensive assessment of LGBTQ+ inclusion in municipal policies, services, and laws. Released annually by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), this year’s MEI evaluated 11 cities and towns in Virginia, with Richmond standing proudly alongside nine...

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2024 Municipal Equality Index Richmond 100_photo Alex Burrus_RVA Magazine 2024

Dr. Danny Avula is Richmond’s New Mayor

In January, Dr. Danny Avula will make history as the first immigrant to serve as mayor of Virginia's capital. Avula clinched the Richmond mayoral race by winning six of the city's nine districts, showcasing strong, widespread support. His decisive lead across key areas placed him far ahead of former city councilor Michelle Mosby, who maintained a...

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Richmond Mayor Danny Avula_RVA Magazine 2024

Richmond Election 2024: Check Out Our Latest Poll Numbers

As we approach Election Day in Richmond, we find ourselves not only voting for new leadership across the board but also nearing the end of our Richmond Elections Reader’s Poll, which has given the RVA Magazine community a platform to voice their opinions. We’ll be keeping the poll open until the day of the election to see how...

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Letter To The Editor | Why I Voted for Dr. Danny Avula

​Ed. note: This is a letter to the editor, not an endorsement from RVA Magazine. You can vote in our Richmond Elections 2024 Reader's Poll HERE. Friends, I voted early in person this year, and I want to share with you why I voted for Danny Avula for Richmond Mayor. I did not come to my decision lightly, but I did come to it with a crystalline...

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Letter-to-the-Editor_Why-I-Voted-for-Dr-Danny-Avula_RVA-Magazine-2024