Gov. Wes Moore to Speak at Blue Commonwealth Gala; Roland Martin to Broadcast Live; Stoney's Epic Fail in Richmond

Jun 19, 2025

➡️ There are 9 days until the June 28, 2025 CD11 primary in Virginia
➡️ There are 138 days until the November 4, 2025 general election in Virginia
➡️ There are 512 days until the November 3, 2026 midterm elections
➡️ There are 1,237 days until November 7, 2028

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Gov. Wes Moore to Attend Blue Commonwealth, Roland Martin to Broadcast Live

Political superstar and Maryland Governor Wes Moore will be at Virginia’s Blue Commonwealth Gala on Saturday, June 21. Additionally, Roland Martin will roll in to town and bring his daily digital show Roland Martin Unfiltered into Richmond and broadcast live from the Blue Commonwealth Gala. Are the gala theme colors black and gold? With Congressman Scott, Moore, Martin and Virginia’s House Speaker in the room that’s quite an Alpha Phi Alpha group. Roland Martin Unfiltered is exploding off the viewership charts for his broadcast show and podcast.

This year the gala will return to the Richmond Train Station after being held at the Science Museum. Reviews of last year’s gala were underwhelming from many who attended. But the newly minted Democratic ticket this week and the energy around a political cycle that mirrors 2017 has Virginia Democrats in a positive mood.

Above: Gov. Wes Moore at the Congressional Black Caucus ceremonial swearing in ceremony in Jan. 2025.

Gov. Moore has long been discussed as the future of the Democratic Party along with Gov. Gavin Newsom and others. The Governor’s frat brother Roland Martin will also be attending the gala and broadcasting live from the VIP reception and the main event.

The gala takes place in Richmond, Virginia days after the stunning victory of State Senator Ghazala Hashmi to be the Democrats nominee for Lieutenant Governor. Another rising star, former Norfolk Virginia House of Delegates member and attorney Jay Jones defeated Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor to become the nominee for Attorney General and challenge Republican incumbent Jason Miyares. The Democratic ticket of Abigail Spanberger, Hashmi and Jones will be featured at Saturday’s annual gala.

Senator Hashmi’s Incredible Win and the Anti-Stoney Vote in Richmond

Who predicted that State Senator Ghazala Hashmi would win the nomination for Lieutenant Governor? No one. Who predicted that a former Mayor of Richmond would lose his own city? No one.

Primary night in Virginia was a roller coaster thriller that was full of surprises. One of the biggest shocks was that former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney was unable to win the city he was Mayor of for eight years.

“State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor by a narrow margin statewide, but dominated in Richmond where former Mayor Levar Stoney had served for eight years. Richmond voters cited water issues and casino controversies as key factors in their decision to support Hashmi over their former mayor in Tuesday's primary election,” wrote CBS6 News on June 18.

Trump Federal Funding Cuts: Virginia Faces $8 million Gap in Teacher Programs

Virginia could be on the hook for $8 million to cover two initiatives to address student attendance and teacher retention if the federal government denies the commonwealth’s appeals, House lawmakers learned on Monday.

The Virginia Department of Education, along with 14 school divisions and the Department of Juvenile Justice, filed appeals after being informed that the deadline for spending all allocated funds was abruptly moved to March 28 of this year. The original deadline had been set for March 2026.

VDOE’s two appeals focused on the state’s Attendance Data Dashboard, designed to combat chronic absenteeism, and Grow Your Own, a program to support teacher apprenticeship pipelines. If the agency’s appeal is unsuccessful, education leaders will likely return to lawmakers with a request to make up the difference for the two programs in state dollars. Read entire

#VA02 BlackDemocrats Applaud Historic 2025 Democratic Statewide Ticket, Pledge Full Support for Victory in November

A message from the #VA02 Black Democrats: The #VA02 Black Democrats proudly congratulate the 2025 Democratic Party of Virginia statewide ticket, led by Abigail Spanberger for Governor, Ghazala Hashmi for Lieutenant Governor, and Jay Jones for Attorney General. This historic ticket, along with a full slate of House of Delegates nominees, reflects the Democratic Party’s commitment to bold leadership and representation across the Commonwealth.

“The #VA02BlackDemocrats are excited about our statewide candidates who participated in a record-breaking early voting primary,” said a caucus spokesperson. “Our Caucus is ready to help create a clear contrast between Abigail Spanberger’s Common Sense Affordability plan for Virginians and Winsome Sears & her extreme MAGA Republican agenda that will turn back the clock on the Commonwealth’s progress.”

As a voice for Black Democrats in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, we are energized and ready to mobilize voters across the region. We stand with candidates who are focused on protecting freedoms, growing the economy, investing in education, and securing a just and equitable future for all Virginians. Media Contact: Maurice Hawkins, 757-739-6289