Delegate Katrina Callsen
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katrinacallsen.com
Delegate Katrina Callsen
@katrinacallsen.com
1.7K followers 200 following 400 posts
🏛️ Representing Charlottesville and Albemarle in the Virginia House of Delegates. >> KatrinaCallsen.com

💬 Text me at (434) 443-5400.
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katrinacallsen.com
A good night with lots of good people. And I made it home for my annual tradition of karaoke with my boys - singing away 2025! 🎶🎵🎶

Hope everyone ushered in the New Year the way they wanted and are starting 2026 with happiness and hope!
Del Callsen smiling with her son’s former teacher Del callsen smiling with Sam Sanders (city manager), Kate Lambert ( Cville boys and girls club CEO), Yolunda Harrison (Beacon Kitchen) Del Callsen smiling with Juandiego Wade and Del Laufer Del Callsen seated with Stephanie Commander and Ivy Hinton
January 1, 2026 at 3:48 PM
katrinacallsen.com
A good meeting with the local NAACP to give a legislative preview and discuss their priorities.

The NAACP is helping out right now in Virginia, bringing suit to counter the actions of the Shenandoah, “Coalition for Better Schools” a misnomer if there ever was one…

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
Delegate Callsen standing with Graham Page and Lynn Boyd, member of the NAACP. = The New York Times The Confederacy Goes on Trial, Along With Schools Named Jackson and Lee In an unusual trial, the N.A.A.C.P. has sought to show a school board's "racist intent" by proving that the names of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson can't be separated from white supremacy. On a crisp, cold morning in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia this month, a federal judge listened as lawyers argued over racism, the Confederacy and who deserves to be honored through historical memory. The trial, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, was ostensibly about whether a school board violated the rights of Black students when it reinstated the names of two schools that once honored the Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson after they'd been replaced in 2020. But when arguments ended last week, it was clear that the case, Virginia State Conference N.A.A.C.P. et al. v. County School Board of Shenandoah County, represented something much larger.
December 29, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Reposted by Delegate Katrina Callsen
bluevirginia.bsky.social
"When a project that has met every requirement is suddenly stopped without explanation, it is fair to ask whether this decision is being driven by evidence, or by personal and political grievance.” - Sen. @markwarner.bsky.social @SenTimKaine Rep. @BobbyScott (D-VA03) bluevirginia.us/2025/12/afte...
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine along with U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (all D-VA) issued the following statement: “Despite our senior roles on the Senate Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, the administration has failed to share any new information that supports this sudden and sweeping move to halt all offshore wind development, including a project off the coast of Virginia that is already almost complete and operational. That silence speaks volumes, especially given the president’s longstanding, well-documented opposition to offshore wind – and the promises he’s made to his donors to put his thumb on the scale against certain energy projects. This reckless, haphazard approach puts billions of dollars in private investment at risk, threatens thousands of good-paying American jobs coming to a veteran-heavy area, undermines energy security, and damages the credibility of the United States government. Virginia’s offshore wind project has undergone years of rigorous review and represents a critical step toward strengthening our energy independence, lowering energy costs for American families, growing our clean energy economy, and positioning the Commonwealth as a global leader in this industry. When a project that has met every requirement is suddenly stopped without explanation, it is fair to ask whether this decision is being driven by evidence, or by personal and political grievance.”
December 22, 2025 at 6:34 PM
katrinacallsen.com
I can not understand what makes Republicans so fearful of clean energy. You don’t have to care about others, our air, or our planet; It makes sense from a purely economic, capitalist viewpoint.
www.npr.org/2025/12/22/g...
The Trump administration pauses wind projects off New England, New York and Virginia
An Interior Department statement did not detail the national security risks. It's the administration's latest pus to hobble offshore wind and limit renewable energy sources.
www.npr.org
December 22, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Reposted by Delegate Katrina Callsen
jamiedcville.bsky.social
“It is not my job to critique the federal government.” -Thomas Jefferson
thedtm.bsky.social DTM @thedtm.bsky.social · 12d
NYT - When asked about the Trump administration’s wide-ranging efforts over the past year to remake higher education, Mr. Beardsley said, “It is not my job to critique the federal government.” Bold leadership.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/u...
December 20, 2025 at 12:06 AM
katrinacallsen.com
The Board ignored our staff, faculty, students, and alumni ….everyone whose day-to-day life makes the University what it is.

They also ignored the Governor-Elect and the General Assembly.
December 19, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Reposted by Delegate Katrina Callsen
sallylhudson.bsky.social
Here’s the thing:

Any internal candidate who wanted to serve well would have asked to delay. Why burden yourself with that baggage?

Darden students — put revealed preference to work: what did you just learn about this leader?
vpm.org VPM News @vpm.org · 12d
Breaking: The University of Virginia's Board of Visitors named a new president Friday: Scott Beardsley, dean of UVA's Darden School of Business since 2015.

Beardsley called the selection "the honor of my life."
UVA board selects Scott Beardsley as new president
Beardsley, a longtime consultant, has led the Darden School of Business since 2015.
www.vpm.org
December 19, 2025 at 9:12 PM
katrinacallsen.com
Wonderful (and busy) time with some wonderful people.
December 19, 2025 at 12:10 AM
katrinacallsen.com
Stop the presidential SEARCH INVESTIGATE the RECTOR and VICE RECTOR REMAIN NEUTRAL on COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FRIDAY DECEMBER 19th, 12-1:30PM UVA HR OFFICE, 2420 OLD IVY RD ED bit.ly/UVA-has-spoken UNION HALL HOLIDAY PARTY TO FOLLOW • aaup. WEAR WARM CLOTHES!
December 19, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Reposted by Delegate Katrina Callsen
bluevirginia.bsky.social
Definitely something to keep an eye on; kinda concerning bluevirginia.us/2025/12/thur... h/t Sean Tubbs
"UVA President search continues with three meetings scheduled through January 6" https://communityengagement.substack.com/p/december-11-2025-uva-presidential?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=68860&post_id=181369432&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=ozbml&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
December 11, 2025 at 10:34 PM
katrinacallsen.com
Thank you to everyone who joined me, @creighdeeds.bsky.social, and @cvilledems.bsky.social for cookies and convo. Appreciate all the input before we head to Richmond next month!
Katrina talking with a woman about criminal justice reform Creigh at a podium and Katrina standing while listening to members of the audience speak
December 7, 2025 at 1:37 PM
katrinacallsen.com
The Republican Party at the moment…..red hats and all…
December 5, 2025 at 5:41 PM
katrinacallsen.com
Rudolph is guiding the way through the snow 🌨️ this morning…..to the Toy Lift!!!
Drop off toys and gifts today at the Fashion Square Mall from 7-7.

What I really appreciate about the toy lift is that families get to shop for their children themselves from the donated items. 🎁🎁🎁
December 5, 2025 at 2:18 PM
katrinacallsen.com
2026 is most likely the year Virginia will establish the legal marijuana market.

Right now it is legal to possess, but illegal to buy. We’ve been meeting as a commission to set up a safe, economically fair, and legal market.

www.29news.com/2025/12/02/v...
Virginia lawmakers finetune bill making legal marijuana sales reality
Virginia lawmakers presented one of the final versions of legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana sales in the Commonwealth.
www.29news.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:35 PM
katrinacallsen.com
For those who binge holiday baking shows👩🏻‍🍳…our very own Charles Zimmerman is still in the running on Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship!

cvillerightnow.com/news/208802-...
Charlottesville pastry chef featured on “Holiday Baking Championship” - Cville Right Now
Charles Zimmerman, he executive pastry chef at Farmington Country Club, competed alongside 11 other bakers the Food Network show
cvillerightnow.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:28 PM
katrinacallsen.com
Throw out the rules…come talk politics at a holiday gathering! 🎙️

-Learn about what is in store for the 2026 state legislative session.

-Share your concerns with legislators before we head to Richmond.

And have fun with raffles🏆, cookie exchanges 🍪, connection🤝, and giving 🏘️. See you there!
Cookies and Conversation event Bake, take, and exchange cookies while talking politics ahead of this years legislative session. Make your voice heard Saturday, December 6, 10-12, JMRL Library Attention: the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank will be collecting non perishable food items, baby formula, and hygiene products)
November 22, 2025 at 2:33 PM
katrinacallsen.com
Quick break from UVA stuff to remind people…the Rt. 29 pedestrian bridge is open! This bridge paves the way towards safer, more walkable, and connected communities (literally it connects Albemarle and Charlottesville)!
November 15, 2025 at 3:31 PM
katrinacallsen.com
Register to watch the Faculty Senate meeting today at 2

virginia.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 14, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Reposted by Delegate Katrina Callsen
stevevladeck.bsky.social
Jim Ryan's letter is not just surreal and troubling; it provides a series of deeply sobering lessons—about the perils facing public universities today; about what it means to "work with" this Department of Justice; & about what leadership does (and doesn't) entail at this especially fraught moment.
joefore.bsky.social Joe Fore @joefore.bsky.social · Nov 14
Former UVA president Jim Ryan, who resigned over the summer due to pressure from the Trump Administration, just shared this 12-page letter with the Faculty Senate, detailing his experience with the Board of Visitors and DOJ.

It's a surreal--and troubling--read.

drive.google.com/file/d/1Is6x...
November 14, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by Delegate Katrina Callsen
stevenljohnson.org
Here is the letter from Jim drive.google.com/file/d/1rgFz...
11.14.25_JER Resignation Facuty.pdf
drive.google.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Reposted by Delegate Katrina Callsen
mkirschenbaum.bsky.social
Former UVA President Jim Ryan has just released a 12-page memo of his own account of his forced resignation last summer. Here’s just a bit in which Paul Manning, a member of the Board, was told by DOJ that unless Ryan departed they would “bleed UVA white.”
“During the ten-day period before I resigned, I also reached out to a former Board member, who has extensive connections in DC, to see if there was some way to stop this from happening. We spent several days trying to understand if this was a bluff and/or if there were some way to forestall the looming threat to UVA and to me. In the meantime, Paul Manning reached out directly to the DOJ lawyers to make sure he was not missing anything, and he said that they told him that if I didn't resign. they would "bleed UVA white."”
November 14, 2025 at 2:07 PM
katrinacallsen.com
The gaslighting is just wild. Youngkin is urging the BOV to, “take advantage of the most inclusive and successful Presidential search process in UVA’s history.”

🕵🏽‍♀️ Facts:
- Federal overreach
- Forced firings
- Hasty Appointments
- Votes of No Confidence
- Lawsuits
- Secret deals to appease Trump
The Honorable Abigail Spanberger Governor-elect Commonwealth of Virginia Richmond, Virginia 23219 Dear Governor-elect Spanberger: When we first met last week, I pledged to ensure that your transition as Governor-elect would not only be smooth, but that my Administration would do our part to ensure that you would be ready on your first day. We have been forthright with you and your team and made data and individual state officials available. In our private meeting in my office yesterday, we discussed a wide range of topics, including boards and university operations. You very briefly mentioned sending a letter about the University of Virginia (UVA), but moved to a different topic so quickly that it seemed unimportant at the time. It is disappointing to learn that just after our meeting started, your office shared this letter with the New York Times and other outlets. Whether done in error or in bad faith, I am compelled to address both the breach of protocol as well as the inaccuracies in your letter. I am advised that this was likely the first time in the history of our Commonwealth that a Governor-elect attempted to interfere with the governance of a university and the fiduciary duties of individual board members. Surprisingly, you have reached conclusions before you or your transition team have taken the time to learn all the facts surrounding the resignation of former UVA President Jim Ryan and the settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Your letter was riddled with hyperbole and factual errors and impugns both the Board of Visitors and the presidential search underway. I understand that this search has followed national best practices and been a model of transparency, including offering multiple opportunities for stakeholder input. The 28-person search committee met at four announced times in Charlottesville and has had dozens of listening sessions open to any who wished to be heard. Hundreds of comments, expectations and aspirations have… The Honorable Abigail Spanberger November 13, 2025 Page Two In addition, you challenged the Board's authority to choose a president and carry out its duties based on a statutory provision. That assertion is meritless and has been rejected by the Court of Appeals of Virginia. Furthermore, you criticized the University's agreement with the DOJ here and elsewhere. Again, had you waited until your transition team had the opportunity to learn all the facts behind this settlement, I believe you would agree with the many national experts who view it as extraordinarily fair and favorable to the University and Commonwealth. Unlike other universities such as Columbia, Brown, and Cornell, the University will not be required to pay tens of millions of dollars as a penalty nor be subject to a federal monitor. Equally important, the agreement suspended all federal investigations, did not recommend the suspension of any research or other federal grants and protects academic freedom. Make no mistake, the DOJ did not randomly or without a predicate select UVA when it started its formal investigation. The evidence is compelling that the University had repeatedly ignored the law. Former President Ryan made his intentions clear about not being committed to follow federal law, in letters and several speeches, including one to the faculty. In a moment of transparency, the former University counsel during former President Ryan's tenure confirmed in a public speech that the University "had some programs that crossed the legal line... we have, in certain schools or certain departments, numerical formulas and that was against the rules." It is also important to correct your mistaken belief about former President Ryan's resignation and dispel continuing and intentional misinformation. I have no desire to disparage Jim and have intentionally not addressed this issue previously. Over the past three years, I have worked with Jim on a variety of initiatives and have acknowledged that he accomplis… The Honorable Abigail Spanberger November 13, 2025 Page Three It's dangerous to wrongfully disparage committed individuals who volunteer to serve on university boards and the serious work they do. Further, the Governor of the Commonwealth should speak thoughtfully and honor the service of those individuals. My guidance to the UVA Board is to fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities, take advantage of the most inclusive and successful presidential search process in UVA's history and not waste the great pool of candidates by unnecessarily delaying the search and losing them to other schools. Lastly, the Virginia Code allows for a transition period so that the incoming chief executive can be as prepared as possible and that the outgoing Administration can wrap up and transfer ongoing initiatives. As was wisely communicated to me by my predecessors, there is just one Governor of Virginia at any time. This ensures that the Commonwealth's operations continue unimpeded. Communicating with state agencies or boards of visitors is confusing and is inconsistent with proven, professional protocols. And certainly, efforts to bully or micromanage are inappropriate. Your Administration will start on January 17, 2026. Until then, as I have told you, we will work closely and productively with your transition. If you wish to communicate ideas or seck information with officials in state government, your team knows the process to do so. It's regretful that I must communicate to you in this manner, but your correspondence left no other choice. Sincerely,
November 14, 2025 at 1:20 PM
katrinacallsen.com
Governor Elect Spanberger advises the UVA BOV to pause selection of a new President until they have a Board approved by the General Assembly. A good and fair call.
Dear Rector Sheridan and Vice Rector Wilkinson: As both a proud alumna and the Governor-elect of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I am deeply concerned by recent developments at the University of Virginia and how these challenges may impact the legitimacy of the current search for the University’s next president. Over the past six months, the actions of the Board of Visitors have severely undermined the public’s and the University community’s confidence in the Board’s ability to govern productively, transparently, and in the best interests of the University. This loss of confidence is reflected in the numerous votes of no confidence from both the faculty senate and the student council – constituencies essential to the University’s success and those directly affected by the critical decisions before the Board. In addition, as five Board appointees have failed to achieve confirmation by the General Assembly, the Board is not fully constituted and its composition is now in violation of statutory requirements in crucial respects, further calling into question the legitimacy of the Board and its actions. In the wake of the departure of President Jim Ryan as a result of federal overreach – unchallenged by the Board – the University now faces the serious task of selecting its tenth president. The next University president will not only lead the University of Virginia but will also serve as an example of leadership across the Commonwealth’s public institutions of higher education at a time of unprecedented challenges. The search for a university president is the most consequential action a university board can undertake, and in all cases, such a search must be conducted through a legitimate and transparent process. That requirement is especially critical for the University of Virginia at this moment, and that legitimate and transparent process must be led by a Board that is fully constituted and commands the trust of the University community and the confidence of the citizens… The benefits of selecting a new president with a full, duly-constituted Board are clear and include: (1) providing credibility to the search process and the selection decision; (2) ensuring that the individual chosen to lead the University benefits from having been chosen in a credible and transparent process; and (3) removing any concern that the Board’s actions are illegitimate due to a lack of authority. Given our shared commitment to the success of the University, the aforementioned concerns, and my commitment to making Board appointments quickly upon my swearing in, I again urge the Board to refrain from making any selections of finalists or ultimately a president until the Board is fully constituted and statutorily compliant. Respectfully, Abigail Spanberger Governor-elect of the Commonwealth of Virginia
November 12, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Reposted by Delegate Katrina Callsen
mike-pruitt.bsky.social
After waiting 62 days to see if Rep. McGuire, who previously defended child marriage in Virginia, would cast the necessary final vote to release the Epstein files, we finally see why. John is more loyal to Washington elites than he is to protecting young victims of sex crimes.
New Epstein emails appear to reveal more Trump ties
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released several emails from the estate of convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein that refer to President Trump.
www.npr.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:48 PM
katrinacallsen.com
Virginia is the first state to launch a mobile ID! You can now have a secure digital copy of your license on your phone.

It will be accepted at DMVs, by law enforcement, for voting, at 250+ airports, and at select ABC stores. Find out more at www.dmv.virginia.gov/mobileID
November 12, 2025 at 5:41 PM