VIRGINIA POLITICS




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We Are All J6ers Now

There’s now a $1.8 billion federal fund for people who believe they were harmed by the “weaponization” of government over the last few years. According to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, there are “no limitations on the claims,” and the program isn’t just for...

RVA 5×5 | Is Targeted Tax Relief Just The First Step?

While running for Mayor in 2024, candidate Avula’s top priority in the “Thriving neighborhoods and affordable housing” section of his platform stated:  As Mayor, he will: Fight displacement of long-term residents and expand the supply of deeply affordable housing for...

Virginia Redistricting Vote Voided, Political Leaders Sound Off

Virginia political leaders are sharply divided following the Supreme Court of Virginia’s decision to strike down a voter-approved redistricting referendum, with Democrats condemning the ruling and Republicans defending it as a necessary enforcement of constitutional...

Where Virginia Democrats and Republicans Actually Agreed This Session

Democrats and Republicans in the Virginia General Assembly were divided along party lines this session, but came together over some key issues.  Out of nearly 2,400 bills introduced, 376 bills passed unanimously, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Most bills that passed unanimously or saw high levels of bipartisan cooperation...

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Virginia Lawmakers 2026 by Sara Matthews_RVA Magazine 2026

Tim Cywinski (VA-01) Makes His Case for Congress | Part 1

Tim Cywinski and I got coffee and a bagel at Abi’s Books and Brews a couple weeks ago. The Iran War had just started, and the weariness was behind both of our eyes.  He impressed on me that he had some fresh ideas, a great legacy of accomplishments, and is in need for some publicity for his campaign for United States Congress. Which seat?...

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Tim-Cywinski-VA-01-interview-by-Christian-Detres_RVA-Magazine-2026

Hemp Retailers Say New Virginia Cannabis Law Would Shut Them Down

With a major cannabis bill now awaiting Governor Abigail Spanberger’s decision, Virginia hemp retailers, farmers, and small business advocates are urging her to step in before it becomes law. The Cannabis Small Business Association (CSBA) and a coalition of hemp businesses are calling on the governor to use her amendatory authority to revise key...

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Virginia-Hemp-by-R-Anthony-Harris_photo-by-Elsa-Olofsson_RVA-Magazine-2026

Recreational Cannabis Retail System Approved by Virginia Legislature

Virginia lawmakers have approved legislation that would create a legal retail market for recreational cannabis in the Commonwealth, ending years of uncertainty after possession was legalized but sales remained illegal.  The bill passed the General Assembly on the final day of the 2026 legislative session, with the House voting 64–32 and the...

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Virgnia-Cannabis-Law_Jeff-White_RVA-Magazine-2026

Are Virginia Primaries Being Decided Before Voters Weigh In?

Democratic candidates across Virginia are pushing back against early involvement by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) in competitive congressional primaries, arguing that national party leaders are shaping races before voters have weighed in. “I'm concerned that the DCCC is tilting the primary by signaling an "approved"...

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DCCC-Red-To-Blue-program_photo-by-Kateryna-Hliznitsova_RVA-Magazine-2026

Prison Work And Court Fines: A Reform Proposal For Virginia

Editor’s Note: This article is based on reporting by Julianna Brown of Capital News Service, a student-powered newsroom at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Robertson School of Communication. RVA Magazine has edited and expanded the reporting for our audience. For years, Virginia has allowed community service to count toward court fines and...

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