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Flashback: Richmond's unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns

A look back at RVA's chaotic 2016, from Stoney's win to rooftop bars and creepy clowns.

News

We hear the kids are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="throwing it back to 2016" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43827933.26/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNhdG9kYXkuY29tL3N0b3J5L3RlY2gvMjAyNi8wMS8xNS92aXJhbC0yMDI2LWlzLW5ldy0yMDE2LXRyZW5kLXdoYXQtdG8ta25vdy84ODE5ODgzMTAwNy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bb1e61160" data-vars-content-id="703b6f97-d62f-4fab-912d-221b7388bd23" data-vars-headline="Flashback: Richmond&#x27;s unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43827933.26/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNhdG9kYXkuY29tL3N0b3J5L3RlY2gvMjAyNi8wMS8xNS92aXJhbC0yMDI2LWlzLW5ldy0yMDE2LXRyZW5kLXdoYXQtdG8ta25vdy84ODE5ODgzMTAwNy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bb1e61160" target="_self">throwing it back to 2016</a> and thought it would be fun to play along.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="viral trend" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43656720.130/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2FydGljbGVzL2N3eTFlNjA1ZHZnbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Beca64745" data-vars-content-id="703b6f97-d62f-4fab-912d-221b7388bd23" data-vars-headline="Flashback: Richmond&#x27;s unforgettable 2016, from City Hall to clowns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43656720.130/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2FydGljbGVzL2N3eTFlNjA1ZHZnbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Beca64745" target="_self">viral trend</a> is reminiscing over everything that happened a decade ago, which happened to be a big year for Richmond.

Virginia health department defies Trump vaccine changes

State officials say the federal shift on childhood vaccines wasn't backed by evidence.

Health

The Virginia Department of Health is breaking with the Trump administration&#x27;s latest vaccine guidance, which narrows the list of universally recommended shots for kids.Why it matters: It&#x27;s at least <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the second time" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/24/virginia-cdc-mmrv-vaccine-rules" data-vars-content-id="76cff643-c268-4cbd-a989-8d55c8523cdf" data-vars-headline="Virginia health department defies Trump vaccine changes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/24/virginia-cdc-mmrv-vaccine-rules" target="_self">the second time</a> in the past six months that VDH has moved away from controversial federal changes.

Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle

The latest mass shooting revives a long cycle of violence and uneasy recovery in Richmond's Shockoe Bottom.

The early Saturday morning mass shooting in Shockoe Bottom was the latest in a string of violence going back decades in one of Richmond&#x27;s oldest neighborhoods.Why it matters: The Bottom&#x27;s recent history shows that high-profile violence can become a tipping point prompting lasting policy changes.State of play: Shockoe Bottom has a long and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="complicated history" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/03/14/richmond-shockoe-bottom-slavery-center" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/03/14/richmond-shockoe-bottom-slavery-center" target="_self">complicated history</a>, but the flood-prone valley as a Richmond nightlife destination didn&#x27;t really begin until the mid-1980s and super-charged in the mid-&#x27;90s, after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Floodwall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rva.gov/public-utilities/news/floodwall-faqs" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rva.gov/public-utilities/news/floodwall-faqs" target="_blank">Floodwall</a> was completed.<ul><li>After the Floodwall was done in 1995 and the district was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mostly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" target="_blank">mostly</a> protected from frequent flooding, developers flocked in, converting old warehouses and buildings into apartments and retail, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Style Weekly reported." data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" target="_blank">Style Weekly reported.</a></li><li>New restaurants, clubs and music venues quickly joined existing Shockoe spots, like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bird in Hand" data-vars-click-url="https://richmond.com/from-the-archives/plus/article_4a719cf3-4f30-5486-9b23-111a15ebecb4.html" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmond.com/from-the-archives/plus/article_4a719cf3-4f30-5486-9b23-111a15ebecb4.html" target="_blank">Bird in Hand</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chetti&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/short-order-24/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/short-order-24/" target="_blank">Chetti&#x27;s</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Moondance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/the-lights-go-out-on-moondance-saloon-ending-seven-years-as-richmonds-most-eclectic-and-reliable-musical-venue/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/the-lights-go-out-on-moondance-saloon-ending-seven-years-as-richmonds-most-eclectic-and-reliable-musical-venue/" target="_blank">Moondance</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Flood Zone" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Czb3oU8uqWR/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Czb3oU8uqWR/?hl=en" target="_blank">the Flood Zone</a>. </li><li>By the early aughts, Shockoe Bottom had arrived. The nightlife destination offered high-end restaurants like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Havana &#x27;59" data-vars-click-url="https://www.havana59.com/our-story" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.havana59.com/our-story" target="_blank">Havana &#x27;59</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Julep&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://rva.juleps.net/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rva.juleps.net/" target="_blank">Julep&#x27;s</a>, live music at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alley Katz" data-vars-click-url="https://richmond.com/entertainment/article_67418ff2-7903-5327-a022-459864258672.html" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmond.com/entertainment/article_67418ff2-7903-5327-a022-459864258672.html" target="_blank">Alley Katz</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bottom Line" data-vars-click-url="https://www.yelp.com/biz/bottom-line-tap-and-grill-richmond" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/bottom-line-tap-and-grill-richmond" target="_blank">The Bottom Line</a>, late-night eats at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="River City Diner" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondmagazine.com/restaurants-in-richmond/food-news/river-city-diner-shockoe-bottom-closes/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondmagazine.com/restaurants-in-richmond/food-news/river-city-diner-shockoe-bottom-closes/" target="_blank">River City Diner</a> and dancing and debauchery in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tiki Bob&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://mytiki.life/tiki-bars/tiki-bobs-cantina-4" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mytiki.life/tiki-bars/tiki-bobs-cantina-4" target="_blank">Tiki Bob&#x27;s</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Have a Nice Day Cafe" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondbizsense.com/2014/12/05/nightclubs-party-days-are-over/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondbizsense.com/2014/12/05/nightclubs-party-days-are-over/" target="_blank">Have a Nice Day Cafe</a>, plus dozens more. </li></ul>Zoom in: Just as the Bottom&#x27;s upswing began, so did the violence. By mid-2004, Richmond Police started ramping up patrols in the neighborhood after nine people were shot, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per Style" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/here-comes-the-neighborhood/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/here-comes-the-neighborhood/" target="_blank">per Style</a>. <ul><li>It wouldn&#x27;t matter. The end of summer brought <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane Gaston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" target="_blank">Hurricane Gaston</a>, which left much of the Bottom submerged. It took some businesses <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two years to recover" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/2019/08/28/we-came-back-have-been-successful-ever-since-bottoms-up-pizza-recounts-horror-gaston-years-later-paying-off-million-dollar-fema-loan/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/2019/08/28/we-came-back-have-been-successful-ever-since-bottoms-up-pizza-recounts-horror-gaston-years-later-paying-off-million-dollar-fema-loan/" target="_blank">two years to recover</a>. Some never did. </li><li>In 2010, the Bottom was back, but not the same. Another spate of violence brought another round of increased police attention — and action by Richmond City Council, which passed an ordinance requiring nightclubs get a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="permit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/months-later-some-clubs-get-dance-permits/#:~:text=Vernal%20Coleman,permit%20by%20mail%20last%20week." data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/months-later-some-clubs-get-dance-permits/#:~:text=Vernal%20Coleman,permit%20by%20mail%20last%20week." target="_blank">permit</a> to operate, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Style reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" target="_blank">Style reported</a>.</li></ul>Yes, but: The Bottom was improving. Between 2005 and 2010, Shockoe Bottom was on track to see a 50% decline in major crimes, per Style. <ul><li>But by then, the Bottom had a perception problem, it seemed.</li><li>There were efforts by City Hall to turn things around. Notably, former Mayor Dwight Jones&#x27; failed pitch to put a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="baseball diamond" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/story/23937603/mayors-plan-brings-baseball-economic-development-to-shockoe-bottom/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/story/23937603/mayors-plan-brings-baseball-economic-development-to-shockoe-bottom/" target="_blank">baseball diamond</a> in The Bottom, the years-long renovation of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="17th Street Farmers&#x27; Market" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondmagazine.com/news/meet-me-at-the-plaza/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondmagazine.com/news/meet-me-at-the-plaza/" target="_blank">17th Street Farmers&#x27; Market</a> and former Mayor Stoney&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shockoe Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rva.gov/capital-improvement-projects/shockoe-project" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rva.gov/capital-improvement-projects/shockoe-project" target="_blank">Shockoe Project</a> plan, which brought new businesses to the district. For a bit. </li></ul>The latest: Guns — the sheer number of them on the streets and in the hands of crowds flocking to Shockoe Bottom on the weekends — are the problem, Richmond Police chief Rick Edwards said in response to the Saturday shooting. <ul><li>RPD Major Crimes is investigating the mass shooting and asking anyone with information, particularly video to call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Mayor Danny Avula said Saturday that the city&#x27;s new Office of Gun Violence Prevention is working on a &quot;community ambassadors&quot; program that will focus on the bars and clubs and should launch by summer.

Virginia measles cases double from 2025 as vaccine rates slip

Recent health department data shows two-dose coverage falls below the recommended 95% threshold.

Virginia health officials are reporting a rise in measles cases as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccination" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/23/virginia-trump-cdc-vaccine-changes-measles" data-vars-content-id="67f2fc39-1720-4151-947e-1cc3df965472" data-vars-headline="Virginia measles cases double from 2025 as vaccine rates slip" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/02/23/virginia-trump-cdc-vaccine-changes-measles" target="_self">vaccination</a> rates in most localities fall below the threshold experts say is needed to prevent outbreaks. Why it matters: The state has already reported 10 cases this year, which is double the total recorded in 2025.

How Spanberger plans to lower Virginia's electric bills

Lowering energy costs was one of Democrats' winning messages. Now they have to deliver on it.

With Democrats soon to control the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="governor&#x27;s mansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-governor-first-woman-abigail-spanberger" data-vars-content-id="b65fcd86-5349-43ef-82f2-a170e815300c" data-vars-headline="How Spanberger plans to lower Virginia&#x27;s electric bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-governor-first-woman-abigail-spanberger" target="_self">governor&#x27;s mansion</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="both chambers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-democrats-win-historic-election" data-vars-content-id="b65fcd86-5349-43ef-82f2-a170e815300c" data-vars-headline="How Spanberger plans to lower Virginia&#x27;s electric bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-democrats-win-historic-election" target="_self">both chambers</a> of the General Assembly, Virginia&#x27;s energy policy is set to veer from Gov. Youngkin&#x27;s approach these past four years.Why it matters: Lowering energy costs was one of Democrats&#x27; winning messages. Now they have to deliver on it.

Mapped: Where women rule (now including Virginia)

With her daughters beside her, Virginia's new governor-elect made history.

Virginia became the 33rd state in the nation <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-governor-first-woman-abigail-spanberger" data-vars-content-id="e2eb9484-53ff-4b07-9638-ab8250cc166a" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Where women rule (now including Virginia)" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-governor-first-woman-abigail-spanberger" target="_self">this week</a> to elect a woman governor.Why it matters: The state&#x27;s glass ceiling is officially shattered.

Democrats sweep Virginia elections in historic win despite scandal

The party won with one of the most diverse tickets in state history.

Election

Democrats have swept <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Virginia&#x27;s statewide elections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/09/virginia-election-2025-how-to-vote-key-dates" data-vars-content-id="65d8d722-3e01-46b5-a49d-0ea6b5b29222" data-vars-headline="Democrats sweep Virginia elections in historic win despite scandal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/09/virginia-election-2025-how-to-vote-key-dates" target="_self">Virginia&#x27;s statewide elections</a>, winning with one of the most diverse tickets in state history.Why it matters: A scandal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="just a month before Election Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/07/jay-jones-text-scandal-virginia-democrats" data-vars-content-id="65d8d722-3e01-46b5-a49d-0ea6b5b29222" data-vars-headline="Democrats sweep Virginia elections in historic win despite scandal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/07/jay-jones-text-scandal-virginia-democrats" target="_self">just a month before Election Day</a> cast doubt on whether it&#x27;d really happen — or if Virginians would choose to split their ticket for the first time in 20 years instead.

Jay Jones wins Virginia attorney general despite scandal

Despite a last‑minute text‑message scandal, Jones will be the state's first Black attorney general.

Politics

Jay Jones has won Virginia&#x27;s attorney general race, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AP reports" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2025/virginia/" data-vars-content-id="efc31b9e-f68f-49d5-bcc4-97fe2d8e9d25" data-vars-headline="Jay Jones wins Virginia attorney general despite scandal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2025/virginia/" target="_blank">AP reports</a>. Why it matters: Jones will become the state&#x27;s first Black AG.

Ghazala Hashmi makes history as Virginia's next lieutenant governor

Hashmi is the first Muslim American woman in the U.S. to be voted into statewide office.

Politics & Policy

State Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ghazala Hashmi" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/22/virginia-ai-debate-john-reid-ghazala-hashmi" data-vars-content-id="e51840cb-1878-4eb3-beb0-0ca5c954f3c3" data-vars-headline="Ghazala Hashmi makes history as Virginia&#x27;s next lieutenant governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/22/virginia-ai-debate-john-reid-ghazala-hashmi" target="_self">Ghazala Hashmi</a> has won the Virginia lieutenant governor&#x27;s race, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AP reports" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2025/virginia/?r=47635" data-vars-content-id="e51840cb-1878-4eb3-beb0-0ca5c954f3c3" data-vars-headline="Ghazala Hashmi makes history as Virginia&#x27;s next lieutenant governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2025/virginia/?r=47635" target="_blank">AP reports</a>.Why it matters: Hashmi will be the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first Muslim woman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/10/31/ghazala-hashmi-muslim-indian-virginia-lieutenant-governor/" data-vars-content-id="e51840cb-1878-4eb3-beb0-0ca5c954f3c3" data-vars-headline="Ghazala Hashmi makes history as Virginia&#x27;s next lieutenant governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/10/31/ghazala-hashmi-muslim-indian-virginia-lieutenant-governor/" target="_blank">first Muslim woman</a> in the U.S. to be voted into statewide office.

Abigail Spanberger will be Virginia's next governor

The Henrico native will be the first governor from the Richmond area in over a decade.

Abigail Spanberger has won the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="race for Virginia governor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/18/virginia-election-poll-democracy-fears-governor" data-vars-content-id="67d43a31-6b04-4ee8-815d-d1eab9ce3cf6" data-vars-headline="Abigail Spanberger will be Virginia&#x27;s next governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/18/virginia-election-poll-democracy-fears-governor" target="_self">race for Virginia governor</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the AP reports" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2025/virginia/" data-vars-content-id="67d43a31-6b04-4ee8-815d-d1eab9ce3cf6" data-vars-headline="Abigail Spanberger will be Virginia&#x27;s next governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2025/virginia/" target="_blank">the AP reports</a>.Why it matters: The Henrico native will be the first woman to hold the state&#x27;s top office — and the first from the Richmond area in over a decade.

Virginia judge lets Democrats' redistricting plan move forward

From online trolling to lawsuits, the redistricting fight is getting messy.

The fight over who gets to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="draw Virginia&#x27;s political lines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/23/virginia-redistricting-democrats-congressional-maps-midterms" data-vars-content-id="271e07b4-602e-4aa4-9ac3-03138ac63035" data-vars-headline="Virginia judge lets Democrats&#x27; redistricting plan move forward" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/23/virginia-redistricting-democrats-congressional-maps-midterms" target="_self">draw Virginia&#x27;s political lines</a> spilled from the state Capitol into the courtroom this week, and Democrats just claimed the first win.Why it matters: The redistricting fight could determine which party has an advantage in future elections — and potentially reshape representation in and around Richmond.

Virginia GOP candidate debates AI version of his opponent

The move from John Reid, who's running for lieutenant governor, is the latest in a weird election year.

The latest debate in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Virginia politics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/09/virginia-election-2025-how-to-vote-key-dates" data-vars-content-id="65e883d1-52c1-4324-a7d7-6f925b60e4be" data-vars-headline="Virginia GOP candidate debates AI version of his opponent" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/09/virginia-election-2025-how-to-vote-key-dates" target="_self">Virginia politics</a> had Republican lieutenant governor candidate John Reid sparring with an AI-generated version of his opponent, Ghazala Hashmi.Why it matters: This election year just keeps getting weirder.

Jay Jones scandal throws Virginia Democrats into crisis

Republicans from President Trump to JD Vance are demanding that Jones drop out of the race.

A scandal over resurfaced texts from Virginia Democratic attorney general candidate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jay Jones" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/06/jason-miyares-jay-jones-text-ad-virginia" data-vars-content-id="0aca0bd7-cd7f-435e-96c5-b83ae5a63260" data-vars-headline="Jay Jones scandal throws Virginia Democrats into crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/06/jason-miyares-jay-jones-text-ad-virginia" target="_self">Jay Jones</a> has Democrats in a catch-22. The big picture: A month before Election Day, pushing Jones off the ticket could fracture Democrats&#x27; chances in a pivotal statewide race seen as a bellwether for next year.<ul><li>But standing by him risks reinforcing Republican attacks about double standards on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="political violence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/trump-maga-divides-political-violence-kirk" data-vars-content-id="0aca0bd7-cd7f-435e-96c5-b83ae5a63260" data-vars-headline="Jay Jones scandal throws Virginia Democrats into crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/trump-maga-divides-political-violence-kirk" target="_self">political violence</a>.</li></ul>

What Trump's mass deportation plans mean for Virginia

Virginia has an estimated 275,000 undocumented immigrants whose futures are now more uncertain.

There are an estimated 275,000 undocumented immigrants in Virginia whose futures are now more uncertain with President-elect Trump&#x27;s promises for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mass deportations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/15/trump-mass-deportation-immigrants" data-vars-content-id="914a67b3-aa34-41a1-ae21-f7be9652fb2c" data-vars-headline="What Trump&#x27;s mass deportation plans mean for Virginia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/15/trump-mass-deportation-immigrants" target="_self">mass deportations</a>.Why it matters: Trump has said he wants to quickly remove all 11 million undocumented immigrants from the U.S., and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="use the military" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/18/trump-mass-deportations-military-national-emergency" data-vars-content-id="914a67b3-aa34-41a1-ae21-f7be9652fb2c" data-vars-headline="What Trump&#x27;s mass deportation plans mean for Virginia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/18/trump-mass-deportations-military-national-emergency" target="_self">use the military</a> to do it — a plan immigration experts say could cost $150 billion to $350 billion to execute.

Election 🗳️

How Spanberger plans to lower Virginia's electric bills

Mapped: Where women rule (now including Virginia)

Democrats sweep Virginia elections in historic win despite scandal

Jay Jones wins Virginia attorney general despite scandal

Ghazala Hashmi makes history as Virginia's next lieutenant governor