Carolyn Fiddler is Dogwood’s chief political correspondent. She is also the nation’s foremost expert in state politics with almost two decades of experience in statehouse machinations, and her comic book collection is probably bigger than yours.
Carolyn Fiddler
Latest from Carolyn Fiddler
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Democrats secure majority in the Virginia Senate
All 40 Virginia state Senate seats were on the ballot on Tuesday, and Democrats have emerged from the election with majority control of the chamber. After key Democratic retirements and primary election upsets earlier in the year, this majority will be younger and likely more progressive than it was previously. The incoming Senate Democratic caucus…
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How Virginia Dems are talking about education
On Tuesday, Virginia voters will cast their ballots for all 140 seats in the General Assembly. Democrats currently have a razor-thin majority in the Senate, while Republicans control the House, so this election could result in either party having partial or full control of the legislature. Since this election will determine which political party controls…
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Democratic Senate candidate Danica Roem talks wins and favorite campaign moments
In the northern Virginia sub/exurbs, state Senate District 30 sees Democrat and current Del. Danica Roem facing Republican political newcomer Bill Woolf. Roem has championed a number of bipartisan efforts as a lawmaker, including providing free school lunches for students in her district, as well as improvements to the region’s transportation infrastructure. If elected to…
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Virginia Republicans try to pretend abortion bans aren’t abortion bans ahead of election
In this year’s fight for majority control of the General Assembly, abortion has emerged as a key issue and a bright-line distinction between Republican and Democratic candidates for the Virginia House and Senate. Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, whose Spirit of Virginia PAC has donated millions of dollars to GOP candidates and supporting organizations, has promoted…
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Absentee ballots of voters of color being rejected at higher rates in Virginia
A recent analysis performed by the Democratic Party of Virginia’s voter protection effort revealed that a disproportionate number of absentee ballots cast by voters of color are being rejected statewide, with some of the highest disparities occurring in areas near Richmond and Hampton Roads, which are home to highly competitive General Assembly races this year.…
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More than half a million Virginians have voted early. Here’s how you can, too
Early voting in Virginia’s legislative elections has been underway since Sept. 22, and over 570,000 ballots have already been cast. Additionally, over 170,000 plan to vote by mail. Early voting in the commonwealth is convenient and simple, but it was not always so, and Virginians are taking advantage of it for just the third year.…
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Youngkin administration illegally purged over 3,000 voters ahead of election
In early October, media investigations revealed that an unknown number of Virginians were illegally removed from voter rolls by the Virginia Department of Elections (DOE). A month later, it’s becoming clear that the scope of this unconstitutional voter disenfranchisement numbers well into the thousands. A September report released by Youngkin’s DOE announced that the department…
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October fundraising shows enthusiasm for Democrats, Youngkin deploying out-of-state money
Money doesn’t win elections, but it definitely makes it easier for candidates to communicate with voters, canvas folks in their districts, and more. October’s campaign finance reports for Virginia’s General Assembly races dropped recently, and Democratic fundraising numbers show continued enthusiasm for the party’s candidates. These campaign finance reports covered the entire month of September…
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Democratic House candidate Josh Thomas’ closing pitch
In the northern Virginia sub/exurbs, House of Delegates District 21 sees Democrat and Marine veteran Josh Thomas facing Republican former county supervisor John Stirrup. Thomas has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia. He also understands that skyrocketing housing costs are also a major issue in western Prince Williams County and is making that…
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Republicans and conservatives engage in shady election tactics across Virginia
Conservative antics around voting in the 2023 elections in recent weeks suggests that Republican efforts to protect and facilitate voting are less than above board.
