Following the Money from High-Interest Lenders to Virginia Lawmakers
Campaign cash helps undermine efforts to create consumer protections.
Recent years have seen increased scrutiny of high-interest lenders, businesses that offer a variety of loans at interest rates that often exceed 300 percent. Now campaign finance disclosures show the industry is spreading its influence across the political spectrum with about $800,000 in political contributions this election cycle according to data from the Virginia Public Access Project.
On the Ballot
A look at statewide candidates and where they get their money.
Voters across Virginia will be headed to the polls Tuesday Nov. 7. Here’s a look at what’s on the ballot.
Shifting Political Battlefield for Virginia General Assembly
Solid blue urban areas separated by political beltway from solid red exurbs.
Northern Virginia has more competitive seats than any other part of the commonwealth, a ring of districts that forms a beltway of sorts separating the inner solid blue in Arlington and Alexandria from the solid red in rural and exurban seats in Loudoun and Prince William. That puts Fairfax County squarely in the driver’s seat this November, when Democrats hope to pick up seats in an election that has balanced local issues like schools and roads with the ongoing reaction to President Donald Trump.
New High School for Alexandria?
Discussion of overcrowding leads to new high school
Alexandria's School Board is beginning to look at the prospect of a second high school.
LeMunyon Seat May Be Democrats' Best Chance of Taking Out GOP Incumbent
House District 67 is one of the most hotly contested races of the year.
On paper, the 67th House District seems like solidly blue territory. Democrat Hillary Clinton won it with almost 60 percent of the vote. But Republican Del. Jim LeMunyon (R-67) has been in office for four terms, a time that this slice of Northern Virginia has been trending increasingly toward the Democratic Party. That puts this district in the spotlight as one of the most competitive House of Delegates races in Virginia, and it’s one reason supporters of Democrat Karrie Delaney say she's got a shot at ousting LeMunyon.
God Shed His Grace on Thee in Alexandria
Church’s candidate forum illustrates intricate religious, political, racial dynamics.
‘Middle-Class Joe’ Campaigns for Northam in Reston
Democratic gubernatorial campaign touts free community college.
Structuring For Cooperation in Alexandria
Advisory task force wants systematized joint city-schools capital planning.
House District 40 Shows Republicans Still Competitive in Clinton Districts
Democratic newcomer Donte Tanner faces uphill climb against incumbent Tim Hugo.
Democrats are energized, and they’re targeting Republican-held House districts that Hillary Clinton won last year. But House District 40 shows what an uphill climb this year will be for them.
Pendulum Politics in Northern Virginia
House District 34 has swung to the left, the right and back again.
Northern Virginia’s wealthiest suburbs are also some of its most hotly contested battleground precincts, the House of Delegates district surrounding Great Falls that’s swung left and right and left again in recent years. What once was the home of legendary Republican Vince Callahan has become kind of jump ball after he announced his retirement a decade ago.
A Tale of Two Immigrants
Candidates hoping to replace Dave Albo are both living the American Dream.
One is from Ecuador. The other is from Vietnam. Both are successful professional women hoping to fill the seat vacated by retiring Del. Dave Albo (R-42). But only one will prevail in November, creating one of the fiercest political contests on the ballot in Northern Virginia this year.
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