Sr. politics reporter | deputy editor at @MercuryVirginia Previously: @CardinalNewsVA, @RTDNews, @bild Email: [email protected]
Richmond, VA
Joined January 2013
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Throwback Thursday!
Is Virginia Mercury trying to be the new TMZ? @nedoliver just rudely harassed me in the hallway about a story that he had never reached out to my office about and demanded comments, even following me outside. I hope there are editors there who will teach him some professionalism.
Is Virginia ready for the midterms?
I talked with elections chief Steve Koski, who says officials are prepared for secure voting and potential federal interference.
He also rejects White House claims about ballots sent to deceased voters.
virginiamercury.com/2026/10/…
Sen. Louise Lucas, one of Virginia’s most powerful Democrats, was indicted on federal racketeering, marijuana distribution and money laundering conspiracy charges tied to her cannabis business.
Her attorney called the case a “circus.”
virginiamercury.com/2026/10/…
NEW: The $67B Dominion-NextEra merger faces growing resistance.
@GovernorVA demands a six-year freeze on base-rate hikes and bigger bill credits, while SCC staff urge rejection of the deal as proposed.
virginiamercury.com/2026/10/…
With three weeks until Election Day, AG Jay Jones has launched a new unit to protect voting rights in Virginia.
It will investigate voter intimidation, improper removals from voter rolls and other barriers to casting a ballot, Jones said.
virginiamercury.com/2026/10/…
Sen. Mark Warner called for federal AI rules and stronger healthcare funding, while GOP challenger Bert Mizusawa stressed enforcing existing laws and curbing waste at a forum hosted by Virginia’s disability community.
virginiamercury.com/2026/10/…
Virginia Republicans are calling on @GovernorVA to bring lawmakers back to Richmond for a special session and suspend the state’s fuel taxes for 90 days.
Spanberger says she’s weighing options, while blaming Trump’s war with Iran for rising costs.
virginiamercury.com/2026/10/…
Markus Schmidt retweeted
A month-long investigation reveals that 11 current and former #Virginia lawmakers billed their campaigns for out-of-state conferences and then received a personal reimbursement for the same expenses. davidmpoole.substack.com/p/s…
Gov. Abigail Spanberger is urging Congress to set AI safeguards, warning of risks to jobs, privacy and public resources.
As Virginia launches its own AI task force, she says federal action can protect the public without halting innovation. #vagov
virginiamercury.com/2026/09/…
A century-old Virginia law gives legislator-lawyers broad power to delay court cases. Del. Terry Kilgore invoked it at least three times in Trey Adkins’ felony case; House Speaker Don Scott used it in a 2025 civil case.
Why § 30-5 remains on the books:
virginiamercury.com/2026/09/…
Virginia consumer sentiment fell sharply in August as renewed inflation and a cooling labor market strained household budgets, according to a Roanoke College poll.
Views of current conditions reached their lowest level since the 2022 inflation spike.
virginiamercury.com/2026/09/…
A federal judge has temporarily blocked most of Virginia’s new restrictions on local cooperation with ICE, allowing existing 287(g) agreements to continue.
New participants remain barred, and AG Jay Jones says he’ll seek a stay and appeal.
virginiamercury.com/2026/09/…
Virginia is set to receive at least $353m from Meta under a landmark multistate settlement targeting addictive features and harmful content on Facebook and Instagram.
The deal would impose new time limits, age checks and safeguards for children.
virginiamercury.com/2026/08/…
NEW: @GovernorVA will formally intervene in the SCC’s review of NextEra’s proposed $67 billion acquisition of Dominion Energy — a first for a Virginia governor.
“The size and scope of this merger application is also unprecedented,” she said. #vagov
virginiamercury.com/2026/08/…
Gov. Abigail Spanberger has restored voting rights to more than 66,000 Virginians since taking office.
Voters will decide in November whether to make restoration automatic after incarceration. #VAGov
virginiamercury.com/2026/07/…
Virginia is stepping up oversight of vapes, hemp-derived intoxicants, THC and kratom.
AG Jay Jones announced a new enforcement unit to handle retail compliance, inspections, product directories and enforcement against businesses that violate state law.
virginiamercury.com/2026/07/…
Former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg says Va. Dems can flip GOP-held House seats without a new map by focusing on healthcare, affordability and corruption.
He endorsed Shannon Taylor in #VA1, Elaine Luria in #VA02 and Tom Perriello in #VA05.
virginiamercury.com/2026/07/…
NEW: Six Democratic candidates in #VA01 are escalating their dispute with the Democratic Party of Virginia, citing newly disclosed FEC filings they say raise questions about the party's neutrality ahead of the Aug. 4 primary.
virginiamercury.com/2026/07/…
Six months into her term, @GovernorVA is defending her record on affordability, education and the economy.
She also addresses weak poll numbers, court challenges and the fallout from Virginia’s failed redistricting push.
Interview below ⬇️
virginiamercury.com/2026/07/…