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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Big Pharma Rewarding Virginia Republicans for Killing Drug Affordability Proposal
Elections have consequences, and one of the groups most keenly aware of this fact are big special interest groups – among them, the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America (aka PhRMA). After benefiting from Republican control of the governorship and the House of Delegates in the 2023 legislative session, PhRMA appears to be rewarding their…
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Many Virginians Are Voting Early. Here’s How You Can, Too
Early voting in Virginia’s legislative elections has been underway for less than two weeks, and over 100,000 ballots have already been cast. Additionally, almost 300,000 already 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…
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Virginians Avoid Disastrous Shutdown, No Thanks To These Republicans
Hundreds of thousands of Virginians breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday night as federal employees, active duty military, and the contractors who work closely with the government learned that an Oct. 1 shutdown had been narrowly avoided. Both of Virginia’s U.S. senators and eight members of its House delegation supported the measure to keep…
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Virginia Democrats Work to Stop Threat of Future Government Shutdowns
As arguably the state hardest-hit by federal government shutdowns, Virginia is no stranger to fallout of fiscal dysfunction in Congress. But some of Virginia’s representatives in Washington are working to protect hardworking Virginians from the threat of congressional budget impasses. Virginia is second only to California in terms of residents holding federal jobs; specifically, 144,000…
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September Fundraising Reports Show Enthusiasm For Virginia’s Democratic Candidates
Money doesn’t win elections, but it definitely makes it easier for candidates to communicate with voters, canvas folks in their districts, and more. September’s campaign finance reports for Virginia’s General Assembly races have dropped, and the news is mostly good for Democrats, with one governor-sized caveat. The most recent round of reports covers the months…
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Poll: Virginia Elections Extremely Close As Schools, Reproductive Rights Hang In Balance
The future of Virginians’ reproductive rights and public schools are in the balance in November’s elections, and a new University of Mary Washington poll shows control of the state’s General Assembly is coming down to the wire. The new poll’s toplines give Democrats a slight edge among registered voters—40% say they want a Democratic legislative…
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How Virginia’s Budget Aids Hurricane, Flooding Protection Efforts
As hurricane season continues, Virginians are once again experiencing the impacts of climate change – more intense storms, flooding, polluted waterways, and more. The commonwealth’s delayed-but-finally-approved budget agreement includes several different ways to address environmental issues – some that could have an impact sooner rather than later. The budget amendment agreement’s direct rebates for taxpayers…
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Care About Preventing Gun Violence? This VA Senate Race May Have A Big Impact
The National Rifle Association, which is headquartered in Virginia, has released its candidate grades and endorsements in Virginia’s state Senate races, and the GOP candidate in a key northern Virginia district not only earned an A, but also boasts the NRA’s endorsement. Republican Juan Pablo Segura is running in state Senate District 31, a key…
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Candidates’ Abortion Rights Stances Clear Divide in Key Fredericksburg-area House Race
Two candidates in a key Fredericksburg-area Virginia House seat faced off recently in a lively debate that brought Republican Lee Peters’ views on banning abortion to the forefront. In the forum with Democratic candidate Josh Cole, Peters committed to the 15-week ban and seemed to question whether everyone is actually interested in “women’s rights.” Reproductive…
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How Virginia Democrats Made Early Voting Simple and Secure
Early voting in Virginia’s legislative elections kicked off on Friday, Sept. 22, and hundreds of thousands of Virginia voters are expected to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. Early voting in the commonwealth is convenient and simple, but it was not always so. And depending on which political party controls the General Assembly next…
