“AC Corbozo” is a new one from Virginia House Speaker Don Scott for former GOP Delegate AC Cordoza
The mailers linking redistricting to Jim Crow seems to have backfired
Like sign in Arlington last year about drinking fountains, generally not a good idea to make such comparisons
Today March 10 has a special election for PWC Board for the Woodbridge district
Normally a sleepy affair in a deep blue seat
But Dem nominee Sef Casim is facing a write-in challenge after a controversy over old social media posts
We’ll see how it all shakes out…
Some of us are
Random fact
Almost certainly going to get most early votes for a non-General election in Virginia history
Virginia early voting seems pretty strong so far
Many places close to 2025 numbers
Likely means partisans on both are paying attention
That’s usually who votes this early
We’ll see if there is drop off later bc less engaged voters aren’t as tuned in as last year
Guzman appears to confirm she’s thinking about running
A controversial mailer campaign opposing Virginia’s redistricting referendum is drawing backlash for using civil rights imagery and references to Jim Crow.
Critics say the materials mislead voters, while the PAC behind them has little public footprint.
virginiamercury.com/2026/03/09/c...
We’ll see if war ends anytime soon
The regime’s military capabilities have certainly been degraded
But arguably stronger politically if it survives
? of Khamenei succession settled (assuming no new developments)
Population shell shocked and doesn’t seem in a place to rise up
That was part of it
Loudoun saw a big shift back to Dems in 2025 in precincts with more Muslim voters
This reversed GOP gains that were part of why the 2024 Loudoun drop was such a big moment
Curious to see if Dems continue winning back Muslims in 2026
Rob Wittman says his comments about Glenn Youngkin were “in the heat of the moment”
Still frustration from Virginia GOP is clear
There is a feeling they are alone fighting the redistricting referendum
While Dems have lots of support from national groups
Should note this is the new proposed new VA-7, not current version
VA-7 Dem primary poll
This is essentially an Elizabeth Guzman internal
She has not yet announced, but has been rumored as a candidate
Shows a pretty fractured field with 63% unsure on initial ballot
Doesn’t know if Dorthy McAuliffe was included as she seems poised to enter
VA Sen. Glen Sturtevant (R) NOT happy w/"lack of funding" from national R's, says R's are "very focused on making sure the Epstein files are not released...sending bombs & munitions to other countries"; "you are right to be [unhappy]"; "we are on our own" bluevirginia.us/2026/03/oppo...
The regime is losing militarily
But it understands its fate more likely will be decided economically
It hopes U.S. will blink first as oil prices continues to rise
Basically trying to hold out long enough for economic toll to force an end to conflict
Oil markets seem to have the same reaction
Unfortunately not
This selection increases likelihood conflict will be prolonged
Regime signaling it won’t bow down to Trump’s demand of say in new leader
Obviously selection unacceptable to U.S. and Israel so no reason to stop bombing
But also no indication regime has lost control of Iran
The regime was founded on Guardianship of the Jurist
That a learned cleric should rule over the people
Itself a dubious concept given Shia Islam principle that no one but 12th Imam has divine right to rule
But idea that Khamenei’s son is most qualified cleric is not credible
Regime media reports Khamenei’s son elected Supreme Leader
A victory for hardline faction who want to continue current version of regime
Also shows how much regime strayed from supposed founding principles
Ironically turned into monarchy bc many other senior clerics above him
The challenge of regime change
After first Gulf war, Saddam stayed in power for 12 years
This was despite Western sanctions and air superiority
And 70%+ of country being against him
It took nearly 200K troops to overthrow him, in a country much smaller and weaker than Iran
"A group of House Republicans approached Youngkin in November, shortly before he left office, and implored him to help campaign against the voter referendum, they say. They want to see Youngkin, a former co-chief executive officer of the Carlyle Group, help with fundraising, ad messaging and other efforts to drive their voters to turn out. But so far, Youngkin hasn’t engaged in raising money or appeared in ads to drive opposition to the Democratic plan. Some who attended the meeting last year with Youngkin said they came away frustrated, while others characterized it as more an opening salvo in a conversation about getting the former governor on board. GOP Rep. Rob Wittman, who represents a district near Richmond, said Youngkin was “adamant to say he was not going to get involved” after they asked him for his help. “Glenn is just missing in action,” he said in an interview. Wittman, who is at risk of losing his seat if the map is redrawn, argued that the lack of support from Youngkin should be considered in whatever job he seeks next. “If you’re not going to fight for your own state, for your own party, that’s pretty poor testament to what you would do if the president were to select you for a position.” https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/virginia-republicans-air-frustrations-with-gop-star-glenn-youngkin-1cb938ba?mod=hp_lead_pos4
Rep. @RobWittman (R-VA01) on @GlennYoungkin: “Glenn is just missing in action...If you’re not going to fight for your own state, for your own party, that’s pretty poor testament to what you would do if the president were to select you for a position.” bluevirginia.us/2026/03/sund...
Good article on Youngkin
H is only one to lead GOP to victory in Virginia since 2009
Probably will hold that title until at least 2029
Problem is Virginia GOP has no one else for leadership
Lots of expectations even while he’s out of office
www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
I’m guessing they will next week
Pezeshkian is relatively sane so he’s probably trying to find an off ramp
Encourage Gulf states to pressure end to conflict
But everyone knows he’s just a figurehead
IRGC doesn’t take its orders from him
Hardliners probably view increasing cost of war as better strategy
Feel like everyone memory holed what caused inflation to turbo charge in 2022
Oil shock after Russian invasion of Ukraine
Spike in diesel causes cost of transporting almost everything to go up
Yes I believe so
My Virginia takes are fun and light hearted
My Middle East ones are very much not
Part of the reason I’m grateful to live here
My objective assessment where many Iranians stand
Happy Khamenei is gone
Understand regime will not give up and there will be high price as war continues
In survival mode and not in a place to rise up
I say all this as someone who would like nothing more than regime to fall
Loudoun numbers today
