Dogwood Daily: VA Democrats break fundraising record

Welcome to today’s edition of the Dogwood Daily. We’ve got a round-up of all of today’s Virginia news coming right up. And if you’re a fan, please forward to three friends who need to know what’s going on in the Commonwealth and tell them to subscribe here. 

But first …

Virginians will soon have one more accolade to brag about. By 2024, the Port of Virginia in Norfolk will be the deepest port in the East. Capable of accommodating two, ultra-large container vessels, the project sets up Virginia to be the premier gateway for trade on the East Coast.

Five things you need to know today …

1. Profile: Larry Barnett and the joy of canvassing: Larry Barnett is a nice guy with a unique taste for life. He’s a musician, father and retired mental health professional. But his real joie de vivre is knocking on doors. Pressed for a fun fact, Barnett, the Democratic candidate for Virginia House District 27, didn’t hesitate. “I’ve discovered the joy of canvassing,” he said with a smile during an interview with The Dogwood. Never mind that showing up unannounced at strangers’ homes and asking them to support you is typically considered among the more grueling tasks of running for office. Or hitting hundreds, sometimes thousands — by his count — of doors per week no matter rain or 100-degree heat. “A lot of people don’t realize that knocking on doors, talking with your neighbors, is really a very enjoyable activity,” Barnett explained, adding extra emphasis to the word “very.” -The Dogwood
   
   
2. Democrats double 2015 fundraising numbers: Democrats running for the House of Delegates outraised Republicans last month, and overall fundraising for General Assembly candidates broke records for an of–year election in Virginia. Collectively, candidates have brought in in $52.1 million, up from $31.4 million at this point in 2015, the last time all seats in the statehouse were up for re-election, according to a VPAP analysis. Democrats doubled their raise from $13.7 million at this point in 2015 to $31.7 million through this September. The new figures give Democrats a significant fundraising edge in the House, though Republicans held onto their narrow cash advantage in Senate contests. -Richmond Times-Dispatch
   
   
3. Virginia congresswomen each raise more than $1 million going into 2020: The three Democratic Congresswoman who unseated Republicans in Virginia last year each have more than $1 million in their campaign accounts as they try to win reelection in purple districts in 2020. Reps. Elaine Luria, Abigail Spanberger and Jennifer Wexton each raised more than $500,000 from July to the end of September, according to finance reports filed by Tuesday’s deadline. -Washington Post
   
   
4. Sens. Kaine, Warner press Virginia insurance commission for answers on junk health insurance plans: Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine on Wednesday requested information from Virginia’s insurance commission on how the push for “junk” health insurance plans is impacting protections for Virginians with pre-existing conditions. As part of its efforts to undermine the Affordable Care Act, the Trump Administration issued a rule that lets states “ignore federal consumer protections and use taxpayer dollars to subsidize junk insurance plans that cover less and cost more.” Kaine and Warner plan to force a vote on the Senate floor before the end of the month to overturn the rule. Until then, they’re looking to the state insurance commission for answers to questions like how many Virginians have unwittingly signed up for these plans. -ABC 13 News Now
   
   
5. Teachers and parents alarmed by rat, mold, and roaches at Virginia elementary school: Teachers and parents at Sherwood Elementary in Norfolk have expressed concerns that administrators are not taking enough steps to combat the mold, insect, and rodent infestations currently beleaguering the school. The Virginian-Pilot reported teachers were worried that school district administrators were downplaying the gravity of the situation, saying the problem is worse this year. Staff reported seeing rat droppings, roaches crawling from the bags students receive their breakfasts in, and even a rat eating the head of another rat. -The Dogwood

Charting a different course …