Markus Schmidt
@mschmidtrva.bsky.social
Sr. politics reporter | deputy editor
Virginia Mercury (Richmond, VA)
mschmidt@virginiamercury.com
Virginia Mercury (Richmond, VA)
mschmidt@virginiamercury.com
#breaking Democrat Elizabeth Bennett-Parker wins special election in #SD39, after Sen. Adam Ebbin left to join Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration.
Democrat Kirk McPike also holds Bennett-Parker’s former #HD5 seat in a separate contest.
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/10/b...
Democrat Kirk McPike also holds Bennett-Parker’s former #HD5 seat in a separate contest.
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/10/b...
Bennett-Parker wins Va. Senate District 39 special election • Virginia Mercury
Democrat Elizabeth Bennett-Parker won a special election Tuesday to represent Virginia’s 39th Senate District, holding the seat for her party and preserving Democrats’ narrow majority in the chamber a...
virginiamercury.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:43 AM
#breaking Democrat Elizabeth Bennett-Parker wins special election in #SD39, after Sen. Adam Ebbin left to join Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration.
Democrat Kirk McPike also holds Bennett-Parker’s former #HD5 seat in a separate contest.
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/10/b...
Democrat Kirk McPike also holds Bennett-Parker’s former #HD5 seat in a separate contest.
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/10/b...
NYT: Republican cash edge threatens to swamp Democrats in 2026.
“Donald Trump has 99 problems going into the midterms,” one Democratic strategist said. “But money ain’t one.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
“Donald Trump has 99 problems going into the midterms,” one Democratic strategist said. “But money ain’t one.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
Republican Cash Edge Threatens to Swamp Democrats in the Midterms
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:31 PM
NYT: Republican cash edge threatens to swamp Democrats in 2026.
“Donald Trump has 99 problems going into the midterms,” one Democratic strategist said. “But money ain’t one.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
“Donald Trump has 99 problems going into the midterms,” one Democratic strategist said. “But money ain’t one.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
A 100-year-old Halifax County quilt artist says she learned through social media that U.S. Rep. John McGuire honored her on the House floor — without consent.
Edith Younger Edmunds calls it appropriation, not recognition, and says silence “serves no one.”
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/10/i...
Edith Younger Edmunds calls it appropriation, not recognition, and says silence “serves no one.”
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/10/i...
‘It was not about me’: Halifax centenarian rejects House honor she never approved • Virginia Mercury
"At first, I was surprised,” Edith Younger Edmunds said in a phone interview with The Mercury on Monday. “But now, I realized this was not about me, it was about McGuire. It was about him telling my s...
virginiamercury.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:03 PM
A 100-year-old Halifax County quilt artist says she learned through social media that U.S. Rep. John McGuire honored her on the House floor — without consent.
Edith Younger Edmunds calls it appropriation, not recognition, and says silence “serves no one.”
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/10/i...
Edith Younger Edmunds calls it appropriation, not recognition, and says silence “serves no one.”
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/10/i...
Va. House Democrats advanced bills Friday to require judicial warrants for ICE civil arrests in courthouses and limit immigration enforcement in schools, polling places and other public spaces.
Measures now head to the House Public Safety Committee.
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/06/h...
Measures now head to the House Public Safety Committee.
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/06/h...
House panel advances bills limiting ICE activity in Virginia • Virginia Mercury
A Democratic House subcommittee early Friday morning advanced a broad slate of bills aimed at tightening how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement can operate in Virginia. Lawmakers and supporters ...
virginiamercury.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Va. House Democrats advanced bills Friday to require judicial warrants for ICE civil arrests in courthouses and limit immigration enforcement in schools, polling places and other public spaces.
Measures now head to the House Public Safety Committee.
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/06/h...
Measures now head to the House Public Safety Committee.
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/06/h...
#breaking Va. Democrats release their long-awaited congressional maps, proposing an aggressive 10–1 split.
The plan reshapes Northern and central Virginia, keeps the 9th largely intact, and moves ahead despite a court order and pending Va. Supreme Court case.
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/05/v...
The plan reshapes Northern and central Virginia, keeps the 9th largely intact, and moves ahead despite a court order and pending Va. Supreme Court case.
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/05/v...
Virginia Democrats release long-awaited 10–1 congressional map • Virginia Mercury
After weeks of buildup and a missed self-imposed Jan. 30 deadline, Virginia Democrats on Thursday evening finally released their long-awaited revised congressional maps, proposing an aggressive 10–1 c...
virginiamercury.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:04 AM
#breaking Va. Democrats release their long-awaited congressional maps, proposing an aggressive 10–1 split.
The plan reshapes Northern and central Virginia, keeps the 9th largely intact, and moves ahead despite a court order and pending Va. Supreme Court case.
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/05/v...
The plan reshapes Northern and central Virginia, keeps the 9th largely intact, and moves ahead despite a court order and pending Va. Supreme Court case.
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/05/v...
NEW: Virginia House Democrats pushed through a sweeping package of gun control bills Thursday — including an assault weapons ban, industry liability measures and tighter storage rules — over fierce GOP opposition. #Valeg
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/05/h...
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/05/h...
House Democrats pass sweeping gun control package over GOP objections • Virginia Mercury
Virginia House Democrats on Thursday muscled through a sweeping package of gun control legislation, passing more than half a dozen bills aimed at restricting access to certain firearms, tightening sto...
virginiamercury.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:30 PM
NEW: Virginia House Democrats pushed through a sweeping package of gun control bills Thursday — including an assault weapons ban, industry liability measures and tighter storage rules — over fierce GOP opposition. #Valeg
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/05/h...
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/05/h...
🧨 As ICE eyes expansion in Virginia, former Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s last-day directive to sell a shuttered Augusta County prison is drawing scrutiny over a potential detention site.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger has since paused the sale. #vagov
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/03/a...
Gov. Abigail Spanberger has since paused the sale. #vagov
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/03/a...
As ICE seeks to expand footprint in Va., Youngkin’s final-day prison sale directive draws scrutiny • Virginia Mercury
On his last full day in office, outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin instructed state officials to move forward with selling the shuttered Augusta Correctional Center to a Florida-based asset management compa...
virginiamercury.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:59 AM
🧨 As ICE eyes expansion in Virginia, former Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s last-day directive to sell a shuttered Augusta County prison is drawing scrutiny over a potential detention site.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger has since paused the sale. #vagov
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/03/a...
Gov. Abigail Spanberger has since paused the sale. #vagov
virginiamercury.com/2026/02/03/a...
Virginia AG Jay Jones joins 21 other attorneys general in condemning what they call unconstitutional federal pressure on Minnesota, warning DOJ demands tied to immigration enforcement threaten state sovereignty, public safety and community trust.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/29/v...
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/29/v...
Virginia AG Jones joins 21 attorneys general condemning DOJ pressure on Minnesota • Virginia Mercury
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones joined 21 colleagues on Thursday in sharply condemning the U.S. Department of Justice’s latest push to force Minnesota officials to surrender sensitive state data a...
virginiamercury.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Virginia AG Jay Jones joins 21 other attorneys general in condemning what they call unconstitutional federal pressure on Minnesota, warning DOJ demands tied to immigration enforcement threaten state sovereignty, public safety and community trust.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/29/v...
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/29/v...
County officials and residents pushed back on DHS plans for a potential ICE detention facility at a packed Hanover Board of Supervisors meeting last night.
Here’s a closer look at what happened⬇️
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/29/n...
Here’s a closer look at what happened⬇️
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/29/n...
‘Not the right location:’ Hanover supervisors, residents oppose DHS ICE facility • Virginia Mercury
Amid nationwide shock over recent ICE-related deaths in Minneapolis that have ignited protests and debate over federal immigration enforcement, the Hanover County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday pus...
virginiamercury.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:39 PM
County officials and residents pushed back on DHS plans for a potential ICE detention facility at a packed Hanover Board of Supervisors meeting last night.
Here’s a closer look at what happened⬇️
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/29/n...
Here’s a closer look at what happened⬇️
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/29/n...
NEW: Virginia Democrats roll out slate of bills to curb federal immigration enforcement, citing public safety concerns after deadly actions in Minnesota.
Republicans argue Virginia has no say in federal actions. #valeg
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/28/d...
Republicans argue Virginia has no say in federal actions. #valeg
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/28/d...
Democrats push restrictions on federal immigration enforcement in Virginia • Virginia Mercury
Virginia Democrats on Wednesday introduced a package of bills designed to curb federal immigration enforcement activities in the commonwealth. The lawmakers framed their effort as a public safety meas...
virginiamercury.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:54 PM
NEW: Virginia Democrats roll out slate of bills to curb federal immigration enforcement, citing public safety concerns after deadly actions in Minnesota.
Republicans argue Virginia has no say in federal actions. #valeg
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/28/d...
Republicans argue Virginia has no say in federal actions. #valeg
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/28/d...
NEW: A Virginia circuit court struck down Democrats’ proposed redistricting amendment, ruling lawmakers violated constitutional requirements and their own rules.
The decision blocks an April referendum and sets up an appeal.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/27/v...
The decision blocks an April referendum and sets up an appeal.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/27/v...
Virginia court strikes down redistricting amendment headed for April ballot • Virginia Mercury
A Virginia circuit court on Tuesday struck down a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at giving lawmakers the option to redraw congressional districts mid-decade, dealing a major setback to Democr...
virginiamercury.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:15 PM
NEW: A Virginia circuit court struck down Democrats’ proposed redistricting amendment, ruling lawmakers violated constitutional requirements and their own rules.
The decision blocks an April referendum and sets up an appeal.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/27/v...
The decision blocks an April referendum and sets up an appeal.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/27/v...
NEW: In newly Democratic Virginia, immigration enforcement is shaping up as an early test for Gov. Abigail Spanberger, as she reins in state cooperation with ICE amid GOP backlash and growing pressure from advocates.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/26/i...
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/26/i...
In newly Democratic Virginia, immigration enforcement becomes early test for Spanberger • Virginia Mercury
Gov. Abigail Spanberger, sworn in earlier this month as Virginia’s 75th governor, has moved quickly to draw a line between state law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement, while acknowledgin...
virginiamercury.com
January 26, 2026 at 1:39 PM
NEW: In newly Democratic Virginia, immigration enforcement is shaping up as an early test for Gov. Abigail Spanberger, as she reins in state cooperation with ICE amid GOP backlash and growing pressure from advocates.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/26/i...
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/26/i...
Virginia lawmakers clash over voting access:
Democrats advance a package of election and campaign finance bills — one designed to create a state-run platform like VPAP — and block GOP proposals to limit early voting.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/21/v...
Democrats advance a package of election and campaign finance bills — one designed to create a state-run platform like VPAP — and block GOP proposals to limit early voting.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/21/v...
Voting access bills move forward as Democrats block GOP early voting limits • Virginia Mercury
With the 2026 General Assembly session in full swing, Democrats on Tuesday advanced a slate of voting and campaign finance measures aimed at expanding access to the ballot box and increasing transpare...
virginiamercury.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Virginia lawmakers clash over voting access:
Democrats advance a package of election and campaign finance bills — one designed to create a state-run platform like VPAP — and block GOP proposals to limit early voting.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/21/v...
Democrats advance a package of election and campaign finance bills — one designed to create a state-run platform like VPAP — and block GOP proposals to limit early voting.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/21/v...
NEW: Democrat Garrett McGuire defeated Republican Christopher Cardiff in a special election in #HD17, keeping the Fairfax-based seat in Democratic hands after former Del. Mark Sickles joined Gov. Spanberger’s administration as secretary of finance.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/20/d...
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/20/d...
Democrat McGuire wins Virginia House District 17 special election • Virginia Mercury
Democrat Garrett McGuire on Tuesday defeated Republican Christopher Cardiff in a special election to represent Virginia House of Delegates District 17, filling the vacancy left by longtime Democratic ...
virginiamercury.com
January 21, 2026 at 1:02 AM
NEW: Democrat Garrett McGuire defeated Republican Christopher Cardiff in a special election in #HD17, keeping the Fairfax-based seat in Democratic hands after former Del. Mark Sickles joined Gov. Spanberger’s administration as secretary of finance.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/20/d...
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/20/d...
NEW: In her first address to the Virginia legislature, Gov. Spanberger backs four constitutional amendments already passed — including redistricting — and presses lawmakers to act on a broad affordability agenda.
#valeg #vagov
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/19/s...
#valeg #vagov
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/19/s...
Spanberger urges action on democracy, costs in first address to Virginia lawmakers • Virginia Mercury
Two days after taking the oath of office as the first woman to lead Virginia, Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Monday urged lawmakers to move quickly on a slate of constitutional amendments and cost-of-livi...
virginiamercury.com
January 19, 2026 at 10:26 PM
NEW: In her first address to the Virginia legislature, Gov. Spanberger backs four constitutional amendments already passed — including redistricting — and presses lawmakers to act on a broad affordability agenda.
#valeg #vagov
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/19/s...
#valeg #vagov
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/19/s...
NEW: Democrat Abigail Spanberger was sworn in Saturday as Virginia’s 75th governor — and the first woman to hold the office — invoking unity, warning of “recklessness” coming out of Washington and moving quickly to define her agenda.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/17/s...
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/17/s...
Spanberger sworn in as Virginia’s first woman governor, moves swiftly to set agenda • Virginia Mercury
Democrat Abigail Spanberger was sworn in Saturday as Virginia’s 75th governor, making history as the first woman to hold the commonwealth’s highest office and pledging to lead with unity, affordabilit...
virginiamercury.com
January 17, 2026 at 8:19 PM
NEW: Democrat Abigail Spanberger was sworn in Saturday as Virginia’s 75th governor — and the first woman to hold the office — invoking unity, warning of “recklessness” coming out of Washington and moving quickly to define her agenda.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/17/s...
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/17/s...
#breaking Abigail Spanberger is sworn in as Virginia's 75th governor, becoming the first woman to serve in this role.
Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi and Attorney General Jay Jones were sworn in moment earlier.
Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi and Attorney General Jay Jones were sworn in moment earlier.
January 17, 2026 at 5:33 PM
#breaking Abigail Spanberger is sworn in as Virginia's 75th governor, becoming the first woman to serve in this role.
Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi and Attorney General Jay Jones were sworn in moment earlier.
Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi and Attorney General Jay Jones were sworn in moment earlier.
Happening now: Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger arrives at her inaugural ceremony at Virginia’s state Capitol
January 17, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Happening now: Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger arrives at her inaugural ceremony at Virginia’s state Capitol
NEW: Virginia Senate Democrats advance a controversial amendment allowing mid-decade congressional redistricting.
New maps would be drawn in a special session and shown to voters ahead of a possible April referendum. #valeg
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/16/v...
New maps would be drawn in a special session and shown to voters ahead of a possible April referendum. #valeg
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/16/v...
Virginia Senate Democrats advance mid-decade redistricting amendment • Virginia Mercury
Virginia Senate Democrats on Friday approved a controversial constitutional amendment that would allow the General Assembly to redraw the state’s congressional districts mid-decade, advancing a long-s...
virginiamercury.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:44 PM
NEW: Virginia Senate Democrats advance a controversial amendment allowing mid-decade congressional redistricting.
New maps would be drawn in a special session and shown to voters ahead of a possible April referendum. #valeg
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/16/v...
New maps would be drawn in a special session and shown to voters ahead of a possible April referendum. #valeg
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/16/v...
NEW: In my exit interview with Gov. Glenn Youngkin, he says his four years in office were “a comprehensive transformation” of Virginia — and that he has “no regrets.”
Critics, however, see a far more mixed legacy. #vagov
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/16/y...
Critics, however, see a far more mixed legacy. #vagov
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/16/y...
Youngkin looks back on four years as governor and sees transformation, not regret • Virginia Mercury
As he prepares to hand the keys of the Executive Mansion to his Democratic successor, Gov. Glenn Youngkin says his four years leading Virginia exceeded even his own expectations — a tenure he describe...
virginiamercury.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:04 PM
NEW: In my exit interview with Gov. Glenn Youngkin, he says his four years in office were “a comprehensive transformation” of Virginia — and that he has “no regrets.”
Critics, however, see a far more mixed legacy. #vagov
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/16/y...
Critics, however, see a far more mixed legacy. #vagov
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/16/y...
#breaking On the first day of the 2026 General Assembly, Va. House Democrats advanced 4 proposed constitutional amendments, including a controversial measure that could allow mid-decade congressional redistricting.
The proposals now head to the Senate.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/14/v...
The proposals now head to the Senate.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/14/v...
Virginia House Democrats advance four constitutional amendments on opening day of 2026 session • Virginia Mercury
Virginia House Democrats wasted little time flexing their new majority on the opening day of the 2026 General Assembly, pushing through four proposed constitutional amendments Wednesday aimed at resha...
virginiamercury.com
January 14, 2026 at 9:50 PM
#breaking On the first day of the 2026 General Assembly, Va. House Democrats advanced 4 proposed constitutional amendments, including a controversial measure that could allow mid-decade congressional redistricting.
The proposals now head to the Senate.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/14/v...
The proposals now head to the Senate.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/14/v...
Happening now:
Speaker Don Scott takes his oath of office for the second time, leading a House of Delegates with a 64-seat majority. #valeg
Speaker Don Scott takes his oath of office for the second time, leading a House of Delegates with a 64-seat majority. #valeg
January 14, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Happening now:
Speaker Don Scott takes his oath of office for the second time, leading a House of Delegates with a 64-seat majority. #valeg
Speaker Don Scott takes his oath of office for the second time, leading a House of Delegates with a 64-seat majority. #valeg
Good morning from the state Capitol in Richmond!
On day 1 of the 2026 session, Democrats are celebrating their new 64-seat House majority, which Speaker Don Scott calls “a new era for the commonwealth.”
Later today, @GovernorVA will address the legislature for the last time. #vagov #valeg
On day 1 of the 2026 session, Democrats are celebrating their new 64-seat House majority, which Speaker Don Scott calls “a new era for the commonwealth.”
Later today, @GovernorVA will address the legislature for the last time. #vagov #valeg
January 14, 2026 at 3:09 PM
NEW: Democrats hold two Virginia House seats in Tuesday’s special elections, with Gretchen Bulova winning #HD11 and Margaret Franklin winning #HD23 after vacancies tied to Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s cabinet picks.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/13/d...
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/13/d...
Democrats retain House Districts 11 and 23 in Tuesday’s special elections • Virginia Mercury
Just hours before the Virginia General Assembly was set to convene, Democrats on Tuesday held onto two House of Delegates seats in special elections, extending a winning streak that has followed a wav...
virginiamercury.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:03 AM
NEW: Democrats hold two Virginia House seats in Tuesday’s special elections, with Gretchen Bulova winning #HD11 and Margaret Franklin winning #HD23 after vacancies tied to Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s cabinet picks.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/13/d...
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/13/d...
#breaking Former Del. Mike Jones wins Tuesday’s special election for the Richmond-area Senate District 17 seat vacated by Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi, while Democrat Charlie Schmidt captures Jones’ former House District 77 seat.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/06/d...
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/06/d...
Democrats retain two Richmond-area seats in back-to-back special elections • Virginia Mercury
Former Del. Mike Jones captures Senate District 17, while Charlie Schmidt wins Jones’ vacated House seat in District 77.
virginiamercury.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:11 AM
#breaking Former Del. Mike Jones wins Tuesday’s special election for the Richmond-area Senate District 17 seat vacated by Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi, while Democrat Charlie Schmidt captures Jones’ former House District 77 seat.
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/06/d...
virginiamercury.com/2026/01/06/d...