Author

Markus Schmidt

Markus Schmidt

Markus is an award-winning journalist who covers Virginia politics from the state Capitol in Richmond. His coverage area includes the General Assembly, the executive branch and elections in Virginia.

Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

Virginia lawmakers renew push for legal cannabis marketplace

By: - December 20, 2024

Virginia lawmakers are preparing to reintroduce bipartisan legislation aimed at creating a regulated and taxed adult-use cannabis marketplace in the state. The renewed push comes after Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed a similar proposal earlier this year. Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, and Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, are once again spearheading the effort, planning to bring […]

Gov. Glenn Youngkin

Youngkin unveils ambitious budget proposal for his final year as governor

By: , and - December 18, 2024

On the cusp of his last full year in office, Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Wednesday unveiled a sweeping budget proposal that he hopes will define his legacy as Virginia’s 74th governor. Focused on tax cuts, infrastructure, education, and public health, the plan sets the stage for what could be a high-stakes 2025 legislative session as […]

Cifers triumphs in multi-round vote to represent GOP in state Senate District 10 special election

By: - December 14, 2024

Luther Cifers, a businessman from Prince Edward County, emerged victorious in the Republican nomination contest for Virginia’s 10th Senate District during a mass meeting at the Goochland Rec Center. The meeting, which drew hundreds of Republican voters, began Friday evening and stretched into the early hours of Saturday as participants navigated a lengthy multi-ballot process […]

Republicans to choose Senate District 10 nominee to succeed McGuire

By: - December 12, 2024

Republicans in Virginia’s 10th state Senate District will convene for a mass meeting on Friday to select their nominee in an upcoming special election. The vacancy was prompted by the resignation of Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland, who is set to leave his post after being elected to Congress​.  The meeting will take place at the […]

Lawmakers are set to consider Gov. Glenn Youngkin's proposal to invest another $290 million for school construction needs during the upcoming legislative session which begins in January. (Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)

Youngkin seeks additional $290 million boost for school construction

By: - December 10, 2024

Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Tuesday announced that he is asking the legislature for an additional $290 million to support school construction and modernization efforts across Virginia. This latest investment would bring the total funding for the current biennium to $700 million and raise the state’s overall contribution under Youngkin’s administration to nearly $2 billion. Youngkin’s […]

Investigation finds nearly $500,000 in waste, fraud, and abuse in Richmond Elections Office

By: - November 26, 2024

An investigation into allegations of misuse of public resources by Richmond General Registrar Keith Balmer and his office has confirmed 25 of 26 claims of waste, fraud, and abuse, leading to nearly $500,000 in wasted taxpayer funds, according to a report released this week by the city’s inspector general.  The city council is now calling […]

McGuire still hasn’t resigned his state Senate seat weeks after congressional win

By: - November 25, 2024

Three weeks after being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Virginia state Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland, has yet to resign his seat in the Virginia Senate, an unusual delay that has raised questions about the transition of power and the scheduling of a special election to fill his vacancy. McGuire, who defeated Democrat Gloria […]

Virginia joins push to break Google’s search monopoly

By: - November 21, 2024

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has joined the U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of 38 state attorneys general in proposing sweeping remedies to dismantle Google’s unlawful monopoly over internet search engines and restore competition in the digital marketplace. The push follows a landmark ruling in August 2024 by a federal district court in […]

S&P upgrades Petersburg’s bond rating to AA-, reflecting financial resurgence

By: - November 21, 2024

S&P Global Ratings has upgraded the city of Petersburg’s general obligation (GO) bond rating to AA- from A+, a move that highlights the city’s strengthened financial health and steady progress toward fiscal stability. The upgrade underscores Petersburg’s success in building reserves, improving liquidity, and achieving a secure financial position after years of turmoil. Petersburg’s GO […]

Trump’s victory sets the stage for high-stakes Virginia elections in 2025

By: - November 20, 2024

Former President Donald Trump’s return to the White House following the Nov. 5 election is already sending ripples through Virginia politics and setting the stage for an intense 2025 election cycle in the commonwealth. With control of the governorship and the House of Delegates on the line, both parties are strategizing to leverage the shifting […]

Miyares seeks reelection as attorney general, paves way for Earle-Sears in governor’s race

By: and - November 18, 2024

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced Monday that he will seek reelection in 2025, putting to rest speculation that he might enter the Republican primary for governor. His decision effectively clears the way for Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to secure her party’s nomination for the state’s top job. “I serve as the people’s protector,” Miyares […]

Va. House panel advances amendments on abortion rights, marriage equality and voting rights

By: - November 13, 2024

A Democratic-led House of Delegates panel on Wednesday advanced three proposed constitutional amendments, including a revised measure seeking to enshrine abortion rights in the state’s highest law. The new proposal would also require third-trimester abortions to be approved by one doctor instead of three, as the law currently mandates.  The 22-member House Privileges and Elections […]