Virginia Legal*Political Blog

While some commentators have lamented the decreasing number of lawyers serving in the Virginia legislature, there was no wholesale infusion of attorneys into the House of Delegates in yesterday’s elections.  Results show a possible gain of two additional lawyers in the House.
In a closely-watched Northern Virginia squeaker, lawyer and lobbyist Barbara Comstock unseated community leader [...]

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It’s almost guaranteed — nearly every football game features at least one angry coach yelling about a referee’s call.  In scenes not far removed, the week before election day always seems to bring a spate of campaign dramas.
This year, its campaign literature that’s fueling the anger.  In Prince William County, an incumbent delegate was dismayed [...]

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State Sen. Robert Hurt (R-Chatham) says he’ll challenge Rep. Tom Perriello for the 5th District seat in Congress next year.
Hurt, a Chatham lawyer who has served in the Virginia Senate since 2008, says Washington needs a conservative voice for his district, reports the Star-Tribune.
Although Hurt faces opposition from other Republican nominees, [...]

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The White House is focusing on New Jersey, at the expense of Virginia, in support for Democratic gubernatorial candidates. 
The Wall Street Journal reports that Democratic strategists are seeking to conserve the party’s political capital and avoid close association with a candidate who might lose.
Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds currently trails Republican Bob McDonnell by about 7.3 percentage points.
While President Obama has [...]

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The two men vying for Virginia attorney general were in Charlottesville recently, promoting their campaigns.
Del. Steve Shannon, the Democratic nominee, appeared at C’ville Coffee this past Friday, along with Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, reports The Daily Progress. If elected, Shannon said would help put more resources in place to protect children from sex offenders. [...]

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Former Richmond prosecutor Matthew Geary plans to run against incumbent Wade Kizer for Henrico County commonwealth’s attorney.
Geary left his position as chief deputy in the commonwealth’s attorney’s office in April to join a private practice in Richmond, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Kizer announced yesterday that he is running for re-election.
Both candidates will reportedly run as [...]

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A former prosecutor hoping to win the commonwealth’s attorney’s job in Virginia Beach is struggling to maintain a residence there.
Mark C. Hardman, a 28-year-old running on an Independent ticket, has not had a permanent address since June, according to The Virginian-Pilot.
Hardman was fired from the Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office in March. He alleges that [...]

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Fifth District Rep. Tom Perriello will get a reward for his vote for the climate change bill in the form of radio spots paid for by ministers and military leaders who want to highlight the moral and national security implications of the issue.
The ads will run throughout Central Virginia on Christian, country and talk radio. [...]

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When the members of the Norfolk & Portsmouth Bar Association gather next month at Harbor Park stadium (home of the Norfolk Tides), politics, not baseball, will be the pastime.
Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell, Virginia’s gubernatorial candidates, are scheduled for a joint appearance at the group’s Sept. 15 luncheon at Hits at the Park restaurant.  Game [...]

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Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell offered a package of law enforcement proposals yesterday.
The proposals are part of his public safety platform, reports The Virginian-Pilot. McDonnell’s plan inlcudes mandatory sentences for habitual drug dealers, lifetime monitoring for certain sex offenders and increased use of narcotics courts.
McDonnell acknowledged that the expansion of drug courts and higher number [...]

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