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Majority Leader Scott Surovell

@ssurovell.bsky.social

Dad ● Husband ● Majority Leader Dem Senate Caucus ● Trial Lawyer ● 46er (#10312) ● X-Country Cyclist ● Kilimanjaro & Cayambe Vet ● Jedi (Purple Lightsaber)

173 Posts2442 Follower 59 Folgt

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 5d ago

Good to see one jurisdiction using Leader Charniele Herring's law we passed 2 years ago placing restrictions on the sharing of Flock camera data and consequences for people who abuse it

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 5d ago

When is America going to learn that all the problems with the death penalty aren't worth it anymore?

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · last wk.

Good to see Governor Abigail Spanberger's Dept of Historic Resources standing up to this arch abomination on our border that would ruin the Monumental core and traffic!

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · last mo.

This week in history, Barack Obama wore a tan suit and the power of the American Presidency was forever changed for the worse..... how I miss those days

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A smart person once told me when you see a republican coming hurry up and grab your wallet because they're about to borrow some money

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Thank you to the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter for the shout out in this month's newsletter!

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Good to see Governor Spanberger on the highway visiting Neighborhood Health on Beacon Hill which serves 40,000 patients in our community.

Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 2mo ago

This is a district Spanberger won by almost 16 points, so...bye bye Danny Diggs, hope you enjoyed your single term in office! LOL bluevirginia.us/2026/08/thur...

"Dr. Mark Downey Launches State Senate Campaign

In a key flip district, a growing number of local leaders are showing early support for Dr. Mark Downey to run for SD 24

York County, VA — Mark Downey, M.D., announced his campaign for the Virginia State Senate in SD 24. This district represents a prime opportunity for Democrats to expand the Senate majority. While Democrats lost by 1% in 2023, Governor Spanberger won the district overwhelmingly by 14 points.

As the only physician in the General Assembly, Dr. Downey is running to bring a physician's perspective to the Senate.

"As a doctor, I look into the eyes of parents doing everything they can to do right by their children but are being squeezed by the rising costs of health care, housing, child care, and other everyday necessities," said Dr. Downey. "I'm running for the Senate because our children and families need a Senator who not only understands the struggles they face but can turn those problems into practical legislation and results."

Dr. Downey is proud to have the support of local leaders including Delegate Jessica Anderson (HD-71), Delegate Virgil Thornton (HD-86), Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan, Chair of the James City County Board of Supervisors Jim McGlennon, and James City County Supervisor Jim Icenhour.

"I'm proud to announce my support for Delegate Downey, who has proven time and again that he will show up for his community; As a pediatrician, as a volunteer, as an advocate, and as someone who has put his name on the ballot to fight for a better Commonwealth. Mark is a foundational part of the district he is looking to represent, and will be a sound voice in the State Senate," said Delegate Jessica Anderson.

"As Sheriff, public safety is my top priority. As a freshman Delegate, Mark passed legislation to require the safe storage of firearms in homes where children or prohibited persons are present. Common-sense measures like this keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and violent cri…

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Honored to be among the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter 2026 Legislative Leader Award Winners ralong with Schuyler VanValkenburg for Virginia and Kannan for Virginia!

Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Great question by VA Senate Majority Leader @ssurovell.bsky.social! Here's another question: why should we trust ANYTHING Trump wants to do on ANYTHING, and not just assume it will be a corrupt clusterf*** like everything else he touches? HELL NO. bluevirginia.us/2026/08/satu...

"Why should we build the world's largest parking garage in the world on an airport we just invested $6B to connect to Metro?" - VA Sen. Scott Surovell

Sean Sublette @subletteweather.com · 3mo ago

My colleagues and I in the Virginia Sierra Club were especially happy with the Senator leading on Senate Bill 250 (aka balcony solar) — opening the door to small portable solar for Virginians who have long been priced out of the rooftop solar market. Governor Spanberger signed the bill in April.

Majority Leader Scott Surovell@ssurovell.bsky.social · 3mo ago

I was honored to receive my third Legislative Leadership Award from the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter today for the work we did on balcony solar, shared solar, and creating a new integrated resource plan process for public utilities!

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 4mo ago

"Proud that my partner Jason Zellman helped my kids' Latin teacher and an FCPS volunteer obtain justice against a man and his organization that blatantly defamed them on social media because of the actions to help LGBT students." - @ssurovell.bsky.social bluevirginia.us/2026/06/tues...

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Here's a hint - 37 times. He's a master negotiator...

Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 4mo ago

“'I guess publishing an optimistic revenue reforecast is one way to deal with money vetoed out of our budget,' [Senate Majority Leader] @ssurovell.bsky.social said....'it’s extremely risky to rely upon nonwithholding revenue generated by continued stock market gains'" bluevirginia.us/2026/06/gov-...

From this morning's RTD ( https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_09cb7d55-bfdd-4a72-998f-1f4c0169025b.html#tracking-source=home-the-latest ):

Asked about the forecast and the data center exemption she's advocated for, Lucas texted “&$!#%”. “The freaking forecast doesn’t have one thing to do with data centers paying their fair share of taxes,” she added a few minutes later. “We have much better ways to spend state funding than giving it away to the largest corporations in the world,” Lucas wrote.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, who has complained that Spanberger wanted to amend and veto bills without consulting with legislators, as governors have in the past, said he didn’t get any heads up about the new forecast. Among the bills Spanberger vetoed were measures to legalize and tax marijuana sales and skill games. “I guess publishing an optimistic revenue reforecast is one way to deal with money vetoed out of our budget,” Surovell said.
“But it’s extremely risky to rely upon nonwithholding revenue generated by continued stock market gains when price-earning ratios are at, or higher, than the same levels they were before the 1999 and 2005 technology bubble stock market crashes,” he said, referring to a key financial measure of whether share prices are correctly valued or too high.

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Getting turned down by Milli Vanilli for your big concert is like _______?

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Is this an actual agreement or just another opportunity for his kids to make a hundred million shorting Kalshi & Polymarket?

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Don't forget that it was the Democratic Party that did this and don't ever let anyone think the GOP is fiscally responsible

Today In History on X: "In 1998, the United States achieved its first federal budget surplus in 29 years, effectively ending a streak of deficits that had lasted since 1969. ⁠ ⁠ This milestone was achieved under President Bill Clinton, following the passage of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which https://t.co/K1WY09AyB9" / X

In 1998, the United States achieved its first federal budget surplus in 29 years, effectively ending a streak of deficits that had lasted since 1969. ⁠ ⁠ This milestone was achieved under President Bill Clinton, following the passage of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which https://t.co/K1WY09AyB9

x.com

Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 5mo ago

"[Spanberger's] veto rests on a fundamental misunderstanding of what these bills do and of the practical realities facing Virginia's courts. SB 83 passed the House of Delegates unanimously and the Senate 26-14..." - @ssurovell.bsky.social @salimforva.bsky.social bluevirginia.us/2026/05/gov-...

"JOINT STATEMENT FROM MAJORITY LEADER SENATOR SUROVELL, SENATOR SALIM, AND DELEGATE KEYS-GAMARRA ON GOVERNOR SPANBERGER'S VETO OF SB 83 AND HB 1392

RICHMOND, VA — We are deeply disappointed by Governor Spanberger's veto of Senate Bill 83 and House Bill 1392, companion measures that would have brought long-overdue uniformity to courthouse security and electronic device policies across the Commonwealth. The veto rests on a fundamental misunderstanding of what these bills do and of the practical realities facing Virginia's courts. SB 83 passed the House of Delegates unanimously and the Senate 26-14, backed by a petition of nearly 400 Virginia attorneys from every region and every area of practice.

The Governor's stated concern, that allowing attorneys to bypass security screening poses a public safety risk, misreads both the bills and the people they cover. Attorneys are licensed professionals who have passed character-and-fitness review and remain under the continuing disciplinary authority of the Virginia State Bar. They are officers of the court, bound by enforceable duties of candor and obedience to court rules. The vetoed legislation backed those duties with real teeth: both a mandatory disciplinary referral to the Bar, jeopardizing the license on which an attorney's livelihood depends, and criminal prosecution, with display of an invalid bar card carrying Class 1 misdemeanor penalties.

By contrast, Virginia courthouses already permit law enforcement officers to bypass screening as a matter of routine. Law enforcement officers are not officers of the court, are not bound by the duties of candor that bind every member of the Bar, and are not subject to a professional disciplinary body that can suspend their ability to earn a living for courthouse misconduct. Indeed, more than 270 Virginia law enforcement officers have been decertified, barred from law enforcement, by the Department of Criminal Justice Services since the 2021 reforms took effect, many for untruth…

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 5mo ago

One of my proudest accomplishments was ending this practice in Virginia

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Pardoned J6er charged with threatening someone with a gun in a church parking lot - who woulda thought?

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 5mo ago

I enjoyed appearing on the The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi yesterday to discuss the recent redistricting litigation, Governor Spanberger's latest legislative actions, and the state budget negotiations - you can listen here

The Politics Hour: VA Sen. Majority Leader Scott Surovell on redistricting Hail Mary

Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell on the Democrats' last-ditch effort on redistricting and Ward 3 D.C. Councilmember Matt Frumin on why homelessness is ticking up.

wamu.org

Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 5mo ago

VA Senate Majority Leader @ssurovell.bsky.social: "I respectfully but emphatically support the dissent of Chief Justice Powell...The dissent has it right on the law, on the text of our Constitution, and on the settled practice of the General Assembly." bluevirginia.us/2026/05/brea...

"Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Scott Surovell Releases Statement on the Supreme Court of Virginia’s Decision in SCOTT v. McDOUGLE

Mount Vernon, VA- Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34th) issued the following statement today:

“Today's decision by the Supreme Court of Virginia is, with respect, wrong on the law and unprecedented in its consequences. For the first time in the 250-year history of our Commonwealth, our Supreme Court has set aside the results of a statewide election in which more than three million Virginians cast ballots and a majority voted to ratify a constitutional amendment.

I respectfully but emphatically support the dissent of Chief Justice Powell, joined by Justice Mann and Justice Fulton. The dissent has it right on the law, on the text of our Constitution, and on the settled practice of the General Assembly.

It is important for Virginians to understand that the procedures followed by the General Assembly in this matter were not improvised. Every step of the process — the calling of the special session, the procedural resolutions governing it, the timing and form of the two legislative votes, and the submission of the proposed amendment to the voters — was fully vetted and supported by the nonpartisan attorneys at the Division of Legislative Services, the institutional legal counsel relied upon by both parties for generations. Their guidance reflected existing Virginia precedent, the longstanding understanding of Article XII, Section 1, and the General Assembly's settled practice over more than half a century under the 1971 Constitution. The General Assembly did not invent a new process. We followed the one Virginia has used.

The Constitution of Virginia, in Article II, Section 4, expressly empowers the General Assembly to 'regulate the time, place, manner, conduct, and administration' of elections. The General Assembly has done exactly that in Code § 24.2-101, which defines a general election as one held 'on the Tuesday after the fir…

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 5mo ago

My statement on today's events

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Always a pleasure to speak to the Democratic Business Council of NoVA to talk about how the Democratic Party of Virginia is creating a robust business environment and provide yesterday's General Assembly update!

Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Thoughts from VA Senate Majority Leader @ssurovell.bsky.social (D), a super-sharp attorney, on this morning's VA Supreme Court oral arguments bluevirginia.us/2026/04/audi...

VA Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell:

"Got to listen to most of today's oral argument - a few quick thoughts:
- Questions came from only 2 justices and mostly Russell, 5 justices were silent
- Russell has always been conservative so his questions were not surprising
- 30-13 clearly argument doesn't hold water
- Gen Assembly defines the limits of special sessions by majority vote - Justice McCullough wrote that in his own treatise
- Decision will come down to whether Election = the Election Day
- Election Day is how election provision/statutes have been interpreted for a century"

Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Ken Cuckoo-nelli wrong yet again! LOL bluevirginia.us/2026/04/audi... h/t @ssurovell.bsky.social

""You guys"??! Early voting in VA dates to WWI & 45-days of voting passed 37-3/89-10 in 2019, was carried by a Dem Senator, GOP Delegate & adopted by massive BIPARTISAN majorities! " - Sen. Scott Surovell

Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Video: VA Senate Majority Leader @ssurovell.bsky.social Responds to Trump’s False Claims of a “RIGGED” Election – “The only rigging of any election has come from [Trump]” (Meanwhile, far-right VA Sen. Mark Obenshain warns darkly, of "a price that will be paid") bluevirginia.us/2026/04/vide...

Video: VA Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell Responds to Trump's False Claims of a "RIGGED" Election - "The only rigging of any election has come from that man across the river" - Blue Virginia

With the YES campaign having won the redistricting referendum fair and square (by about 3 points – bigger than Glenn Youngkin’s narrow margin of victory in November 2021, by the way) – Virginia Republ...

bluevirginia.us

Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 6mo ago

“Tonight, Virginians did what Virginians have always done: they answered a question about the nature of our democracy, and they answered it in favor of the people." - VA Senate Majority Leader @ssurovell.bsky.social bluevirginia.us/2026/04/live...

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell Releases Statement on Results of the Redistricting Referendum

Mount Vernon, VA – Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell released the following statement on the results of the redistricting referendum:

“Tonight, Virginians did what Virginians have always done: they answered a question about the nature of our democracy, and they answered it in favor of the people.

In 1788, it was here in Virginia that Madison, Mason, and Henry debated whether this new Constitution could truly safeguard self-government. The compact they helped forge rested on a single, radical premise: that legitimate power flows from the consent of the governed, not from those who seek to entrench themselves against the will of voters. Virginia did not simply ratify the Constitution. Virginia shaped it, insisted on a Bill of Rights, and set the standard that representation must answer to the people.

That is the tradition Virginians honored tonight.

Faced with unprecedented gerrymandering in other states, naked attempts to decide elections before a single vote is cast, Virginians refused to stand idle. They voted to reclaim the founding principle that maps should reflect communities, not protect incumbents, and that Congress should be chosen by voters, not the other way around.

President Trump told the country that if Democrats wanted change in Washington, we would have to win more House seats. Tonight, Virginians answered him in the same clear voice Patrick Henry used more than two centuries ago: the people will decide.

Fairness won. Accountability won. And the Commonwealth that gave America its Constitution has once again reminded the nation what that Constitution is for.”

DGCassidy @dgcassidy.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Elections have consequences. Well done Sen. Pekarsky, @ssurovell.bsky.social & @abigailspanberger.com!

Virginia bill creates reproductive protections overturned by Trump

whro.org