Andrew Kerley✍️📸
@andrewkerley.bsky.social
Virginian reporting on politics & policy • Bylines in Virginia Scope @VirginiaMercury.com @CardinalNews.org • Former Editor @commonwealthtimes.bsky.social 📧👉 AndrewKerleyReports@gmail.com
✍️ Unlike Michigan, Colorado, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and more — Virginia Democrats did not choose any Medicare for All-supporting, Israel-decrying, corporate PAC money-denying candidates over their more established, middle-of-the-road counterparts.
"I think we have to understand that this is not just about this election," Keena said. "If the challengers can even come close to knocking Beyer off, even if they scare him, this will still send a message about how the party is shifting.”
How 8th Congressional District Democratic primary reflects party’s shifting identity and priorities • Virginia Mercury
Four Democrats are vying to unseat six-term U.S. Rep. Don Beyer in a primary contest that analysts say could foreshadow how voters will react in this fall’s midterm election and future races.
virginiamercury.com
For the first time in 14 years, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is proposing to increased fees for hunting, fishing and trapping licenses — among other new regulations.
Virginia could have new fees, regulations for hunting, fishing and boating
Virginia wildlife department proposes new fees, regulations to offset rising costs.
cardinalnews.org
The third House primary I've covered this season in which "corporate PAC money" has been the name of the game. But will those attacks stick against a six-term incumbent like Rep. Don Beyer?
Democrats challenge Beyer in Va.’s 8th Congressional District, marred by federal layoffs • Virginia Mercury
The mixed bag of former and current government employees have voiced similar ethics concerns, while Beyer intends to serve a seventh term.
virginiamercury.com
The candidates all critique Griffith for being "absent/inaccessible" to the people of SWVA. Griffith's response: "Well, that's not accurate, but what else would you expect the Democrats to say? The 9th District is 9,113 square miles which is why, I have over 356,000 miles on the car I drive."
Andrew Kerley✍️📸@andrewkerley.bsky.social · 2mo agoThe "Fightin' Ninth" is Virginia's most Republican Congressional district, but that hasn't stopped three Democrats from trying to unseat Rep. Morgan Griffith amid a deep affordability crisis. My first non-@vcucns.bsky.social story for @cardinalnews.org!
The "Fightin' Ninth" is Virginia's most Republican Congressional district, but that hasn't stopped three Democrats from trying to unseat Rep. Morgan Griffith amid a deep affordability crisis. My first non-@vcucns.bsky.social story for @cardinalnews.org!
Three Democrats vie for nomination to challenge Griffith in the 9th District
The 9th District is Virginia’s most Republican congressional district, but that hasn’t stopped three Democrats from wanting the party’s nomination to challenge GOP incumbent Morga…
cardinalnews.org
Previous 50501 rallies at Capitol Square have mobilized 10-20,000 Virginians against Trump. Now those same organizers are turning their attention toward @abigailspanberger.com
Va-01 candidate @salaambhattiva.bsky.social picks up another endorsement from @salimforva.bsky.social - joining progressive legislators @samrasoul.bsky.social and Charlie Schmidt. Still two months to go in his extra-long primary against @shannontaylorva.com and five others.
In my interview with Va-01 candidate @salaambhattiva.bsky.social, he goes into running a progressive campaign in Central Virginia, rejecting big money - and takes plenty of shots at Rep. Rob Wittman and @shannontaylorva.com. Check it out!
Salaam Bhatti talks congressional campaign
Watch now | He is seeking the Democratic nomination in Virginia's First Congressional District.
substack.com
Democratic leaders Scott Surovell and @donscott757.bsky.social have not outright agreed with Del. @helmerva.bsky.social ideas to remove Justice Kelsey and reform the Virginia Supreme Court. Analyst Bob Holsworth thinks Helmer just “said the quiet part out loud.” For Virginia Scope:
With a justice’s term expiring, Democrats could change partisan makeup of Virginia Supreme Court
Democrats in the General Assembly will soon have the opportunity to change the partisan makeup of the Virginia Supreme Court after the crushing defeat of their redistricting referendum.
virginiascope.com
My latest for Virginia Scope: Democrats drop out, jump districts and re-strategize after courts rule their six month and $66 million effort to redistrict void.
Democrats’ primary plans crumble after redistricting loss
Virginia Democrats have been left spinning after courts ruled that their six-month and $66 million effort to redistrict was illegal — leaving some candidates without a race to run in, and others jumpi...
virginiascope.com
“The reality is that we expected the Supreme Court of Virginia to respect the constitution and the will of the people,” Del. Dan Helmer said. “They did not.” Helmer continued: “We will make sure that Justice Kelsey does not serve anymore come this January."
Democrats’ primary plans crumble after redistricting loss
Virginia Democrats have been left spinning after courts ruled that their six-month and $66 million effort to redistrict was illegal — leaving some candidates without a race to run in, and others jumpi...
virginiascope.com
Talking redistricting, public salary data and @GovernorVA’s bill actions on the Virginia Press Room with Michael Pope, @fordmccracken and Cat Pizzarello! www.vpm.org/vapressroom
The Virginia Press Room
Go behind the headlines with Virginia journalists as they analyze state politics, policy and community issues. Join host Michael Pope for expert insights from the Capitol and beyond.
vpm.org
Last night The Commonwealth Times picked up 23 awards at the 2025 VPA News & Advertising Contest — including the News Sweepstakes award in our category!! 🤯 So proud of our team that has been tirelessly dedicated to creating comprehensive, understandable news for all eyes and ears.
The Commonwealth Times is at the 2026 @va_press_assoc conference!
Here’s the complete lore on why Richmond had two “No Kings” protests.
In Richmond, competing ‘No Kings’ protests reveal divided leadership, complicated movement
Richmond had not one, but two anti-Trump protests on Saturday, as ideological and strategic disagreements between organizers led them to hold separate demonstrations.
commonwealthtimes.org
Five years ago today, Adam Oakes was hazed to death at VCU. Here’s what’s changed in the wake: commonwealthtimes.org/2026/02/25/f...
Five years after Adam Oakes’ hazing death, VCU community weighs-in on prevention
Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor Molly Manning, Managing Editor | “The medical examiner said if anybody would have called and got Adam help, he would be alive today.”These are the words of Eric Oake...
commonwealthtimes.org
Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time flipping through archives commonwealthtimes.org/2026/02/25/a...
ARCHIVES: AFAM students had to fight for their major
While many VCU students enjoy being African-American studies majors in 2026, it took decades of protest and advocacy by some of the most outspoken voices on campus to achieve such a status.
commonwealthtimes.org
HAPPENING NOW: About 50 people are in Monroe Park protesting the shooting and killing of Minneapolis woman Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer.
My latest for CBS 6 with Melissa Hipolit: People across the state have been complaining about poor water quality from Aqua Virginia, a private company, for decades. Now Aqua wants to raise their prices, and they’re merging with their biggest competitor. www.wtvr.com/news/local-n...
Virginia homeowners' water turns brown and becomes unusable. Now their utility company wants to raise prices.
Aqua Virginia is asking to raise their water and wastewater prices as customers report issues with brown and unstable water.
wtvr.com
I’m here at Diversity Thrift with @bilanreports.bsky.social for the Virginia gubernatorial election where voters are starting to pour in. Stay tuned for more live reports. @vcucns.bsky.social #vavotes #election2025
Good morning from Thomas Dale High School in House District 75! The chief officers of election estimate over 110 people have voted as of 7 a.m.. @vcucns.bsky.social
I’m a bit late on this — but my internship with Virginia Scope ended back in September. Incredibly thankful to Brandon Jarvis for the opportunity ✍️📰 I doubt I’m done with Scope, but for now, catch my reporting on WTVR CBS 6! Same work, different medium.
After recognizing members the largest high school Turning Point USA Chapter visiting the Capitol — Del. Nick Freitas asks the House to honor Charlie Kirk. “Many of us felt that something fundamental had changed around our entire political discourse in this country”
Students at the VCUarts Qatar campus took shelter on Tuesday after Israeli forces struck a building in Doha — the nation’s capital — serving as a headquarters for Hamas political leaders. commonwealthtimes.org/2025/09/10/v...
VCU Qatar students shelter, classes cancelled following Israeli airstrike in Doha
Students at the VCUarts Qatar campus took shelter on Tuesday after Israeli forces struck a building in Doha, the nation’s capitol, serving as Hamas political leaders’ headquarters.
commonwealthtimes.org
Senate Democrats vote to block 14 more of Gov. Youngkin’s university board appointments to UVA, GMU and VMI — bringing the total to 22. virginiapoliticalnewsletter.substack.com/p/senate-dem...
Senate Democrats block 14 more university appointments, ask Youngkin to cease making more
Senate Democrats asked Gov. Glenn Youngkin to cease appointing more members to the governing boards of three Virginia universities after blocking 14 more of them in a Senate meeting Thursday.
virginiapoliticalnewsletter.substack.com
I was shamed by our entire staff after rejecting the original headline idea for this story, which was “‘meow meow meow;’ Richmond welcomes new cat cafe.” Executive Editor is proving to be a hard job. t.co/GbAd3gZ7XX
https://commonwealthtimes.org/2025/08/27/richmonds-new-cat-cafe-is-a-purrfect-addition/
t.co
Miyares filed with the Virginia Supreme Court to appeal a July court decision that affirmed Senate Democrats’ rejection of some of Youngkin’s university board appointees. Miyares is citing multiple reasons for filing the appeal. @andrewkerley.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/virginia...
AG Miyares appeals court decision over university board rejections
Miyares on Monday formally filed to appeal a July court decision that affirmed Senate Democrats’ rejection of some of Youngkin’s university board appointees.
open.substack.com
