By: Abby Boursiquot
Being one of the four states that held legislative elections this November, Virginia Democrats outweighed the Republican vote which changes outcome on the debate over abortion rights.
https://whyy.org/articles/virginia-democrats-sweep-legislative-elections-after-campaigning-on-abortion-rights/
Photo by: Steve Helber / AP
Virginia’s governor Glenn Youngkin and his fellow Republicans, held a well-funded campaign that supported the ban on abortions after 15 weeks with exceptions to rape, incest, and the life of the mother opposed to a out-right ban. The governor considered this to be a “common-sense” compromise although his use of the phrase has also alluded to the Democratic’s party lack of it as he told reporters that “there’s always a place for common sense, and we’ve been able to get things done” referencing our divided government upheld in recent years. Youngkin continued by labeling the Democratic party as “the party of fear”. Along with the campaign, the Supreme Court ruling concerning Roe v. Wade in 2022 brought concern to the Democratic turnout. Even so, many abortion-rights advocacy programs joined in efforts to relay ads opposing the Republican position and spending over $1 million. On the opposition, Youngkin had no problem contributing $1.4 million on media campaigns to share more of his party’s views on the issue. On top of that, the governor barnstormed for his Republican candidates hoping to gain the takeover in the legislature and portray his upstanding administration over a Democratic state which attributes to reasoning behind his possible run for presidency either as a late entry in 2024 or next elections in 2028. Even with his help and vast contributions to his GOP candidates and party, VA voters leaned toward the Democratic vote in the end leaving some hope to how the national outcome on abortion rights might turnout.
https://apnews.com/article/virginia-elections-don-scott-glenn-youngkin-9e65f584e0c695835cd544bd358609e4
Photo by: John C. Clark / AP
In historic news, Virginia’s first Black House Speaker, Del. Don Scott, is soon to be voted in on the first day of the 2024 legislative session after being elected by the House Democratic Caucus. The U.S. Navy veteran and trial lawyer looks forward to his new position and a recent interview revealed traits of humbleness referring to how realizes “there are so many people who are a lot smarter than me who are black who never got this chance” and pledges to make an impact along with fellow Democrats going into the next couple years of Youngkin’s final term. Scott’s mission follows as enforcing a budget on Virginia corporations, an increase in minimum wage to $15 an hour, and restrictions regarding gun control laws. As for his thoughts on Youngkin’s 15-week abortion ban, “It’s dead,” Scott said, solidifying his loyalty to Virginians and their response from the ballots last Tuesday. Last week’s vote makes way for a prosperous future in politics and generates gratitude towards our state government.
Barnstormed - make a rapid tour of an area as part of a political campaign.
Citations:
Wines, Michael. “Democrats Take Control of Virginia Legislature.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 Nov. 2023, www.nytimes.com/2023/11/08/us/politics/virginia-legislature-democrats.html.
Rankin, Sarah. “Newly Empowered Virginia Democrats Nominate the State’s First Black House Speaker, Don Scott.” AP News, AP News, 11 Nov. 2023, apnews.com/article/virginia-elections-don-scott-glenn-youngkin-9e65f584e0c695835cd544bd358609e4.
Rankin, Sarah. “Youngkin Expresses Disappointment in Legislative Wins by Virginia Democrats, Pledges Bipartisanship.” AP News, AP News, 8 Nov. 2023, apnews.com/article/virginia-legislature-election-2023-c928555713fa88b29b0c35f966893f8c.
Rankin, Sarah. “Virginia Democrats Sweep Legislative Elections after Campaigning on Abortion Rights.” AP News, AP News, 8 Nov. 2023, apnews.com/article/virginia-legislature-election-2023-79f9337731c25decc83b83eeb4d3e00e.
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