Speaker Don Scott's Historic Fundraising Haul; Tucker Family Event in Hampton; Newport News City Council Sworn-in

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Speaker Don Scott Sets Record-Breaking Fundraising Total for FY2024

Speaker Don Scott raised over $3 Million in 2024 — doubling the fundraising totals of all previous Speakers. Data obtained by Black Virginia News indicates that in 2024, Scott raised an unprecedented $3,084,921. The total includes $2,026,866 raised for his campaign and an additional $1,058,055 raised from Scott’s PAC. The Speaker has $2,548,906 cash-on-hand as of the close of 2024.

Speaker Scott’s record-breaking raising significantly outpace his predecessors, doubling the fundraising totals of the previous Speaker, Todd Gilbert, who raised $1,506,455 during FY2022.

Compared to other recent Speakers Eileen Filler-Corn in 2020 ($1,165,620) and Kirk Cox in 2018 ($1,721,639), Speaker Scott’s totals make him a top fundraiser in Virginia. Speaker Scott’s cash-on-hand of $2,548,906 will likely be a big strategic advantage for House Democrats heading into the 2025 elections. With Donald Trump taking power for a second term in five days, Democrats are expected to have an advantage. But the world of politics is frequently unpredictable.

Democrats have a very narrow majority in the Virginia House. The current party breakdown in the Virginia House is 51-49. From 1999 to 2019 Republicans controlled the Virginia House of Delegates. But in 2017, the Democrats won the majority in the House for the first time in two decades. In 2022 and 2023, the GOP controlled the chamber. In 2022, Don Scott began his daring rise to power as then-Leader Filler-Corn was toppled after Dems lost power. In January 2024, he became the first Black Speaker of the Virginia House after navigating the Democrats to victory and majority.

This year will be a different type of test. MAGA Republicans controlling the federal government will be working alongside GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin to win the majority in the Virginia House. But for now, the Democratic Speaker is in the driver’s seat when it comes to making it rain.

Breaking Down Speaker Scott’s Numbers:
● Campaign Raised: $2,026,866
● PAC Raised: $1,058,055
● Total Raised: $3,084,921
● Cash on Hand: $2,548,906

Gov. Glenn Youngkin Reports General Fund Revenues is Up 6.7%

Gov. Youngkin announced the general fund revenue as up 6.7 percent ($892.1 million) year-over-year through the first six months of Fiscal Year 2025.

“For the month of December, total general fund revenues grew by 4.4 percent ($128.9 million) versus the same period last year. All major revenue sources were higher year-over-year. Compared to the revenue forecast assumed in the Governor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget and accounting for monthly variations in tax collections, year-to-date total general fund revenues are ahead of projections by $43.1 million,” a statement from Youngkin’s office read.

Yesterday, Youngkin said in an interview that there may be job losses as the result of federal job cuts by Donald Trumps new “DOGE” unit run by billionaires with no previous government experience.

Latest 🎙️ Podcast: Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan on the fight ahead as Trump returns to office.

Also: Speaker Don Scott on the 2205 session of the Virginia General Assembly.

Newport News City Council Members Sworn in

City of Newport News on members sworn in on Jan. 14:

Tina L. Vick (South District) at present is the longest serving Council member, having been first elected in May 2008. She has been an advocate for economic development and community engagement. With a background in leadership and service to her community, she aims to strengthen local businesses and improve educational and workforce development opportunities for students.

Marcellus L. Harris III, D. Div. (North District) is an experienced leader in both the public and private sectors. He brings a deep commitment to social justice, community health, and youth mentorship, having previously worked with various community organizations to uplift families in the North District. He was first elected to Council in 2016.

Robert S. Coleman (Central District) was re-elected in November 2024. Coleman previously served on Council from 2012-2016. He has been dedicated to addressing infrastructure challenges and improving public safety. His background in public administration and community service will be vital as he advocates for the equitable development of the Central District and city-wide initiatives.

Curtis Bethany III (North District) has been re-elected as Vice Mayor. He was first elected to Council in November 2022. He represents the city on the Virginia Municipal League (VML) Board of Directors. He is the youngest Vice Mayor elected in the City of Newport News.

Tucker Family Event at Fort Monroe

On Monday, the Tucker Family and Congressman Scott held an event at Ft. Monroe. Members of the Tucker family traveled to Angola and met with President Joe Biden.

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2- Ida: A Sword Among Lions: Ida B. Wells and the Campaign Against Lynching Paperback (2009)
3- Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey (Oct. 2024)
4- Positive, Successful, Stylish Black People Coloring Book (2024)
5- When Mayor Doug Wilder Ruled Richmond: Strong-Arm Politics in Virginia's Capital City by Linwoood Norman (Aug. 2024)

6- Rumor, Repression, and Racial Politics: How the Harassment of Black Elected Officials Shaped Post-Civil Rights America (Since 1970: Histories of Contemporary America) by George Derek Musgrove
7- Son of Virginia, A Life in America's Political Arena (2015) by L. Douglas Wilder

8- The New Jim Crow (2010) by Michelle Alexander
9- Remaking Virginia Politics by Paul Goldman (Jan. 2022)
10- Burn the Page: A True Story of Torching Doubts, Blazing Trails, and Igniting Change (2022) by Danica Roem
11- Harbingers: What January 6 and Charlottesville Reveal About Rising Threats to American Democracy Hardcover (2024) by Timothy J. Heaphy

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