Lt. governor candidate tries to turn convention momentum into campaign gold
By Carten Cordell │ Watchdog.org, Virginia Bureau
ALEXANDRIA — E.W. Jackson played every card in the deck to win the Republican lieutenant governor nomination Saturday night in Richmond — a rousing speech, a dedicated base and charismatic appeal to undecided conservative delegates.
Now, though, the media spotlight is turning to controversial comments Jackson has made about the gay community [...]
With convention over, VA GOP has big job ahead
By Carten Cordell and Kathryn Watson | Watchdog.org, Virginia Bureau
RICHMOND—One look at the Richmond Coliseum on Saturday provided the portrait of a divided Virginia GOP.
After nine hours and four ballot-narrowing voting cycles, the camps of 10 different candidates vying for state office trekked out of the coliseum with a clear picture of the ballot, but an uncertain [...]
Virginia GOP convention highlights party split
By Carten Cordell │ Watchdog.org, Virginia Bureau
ALEXANDRIA — Virginia Republicans this weekend will launch an experiment in politics, opting for a party convention to choose a slate of candidates for statewide offices.
The move eliminates a long, drawn out and often expensive primary season.
But while the goal is to give voice to a diverse electorate, the gathering [...]
VA Week-in-Review: Campaign tax promises and rosy rankings for small business
By Carten Cordell │ Watchdog.org, Virginia Bureau
ALEXANDRIA — The campaign promises have begun and their feasibility questioned this week as Virginia heads deeper into election season, and a new study ranks the Old Dominion in the top 10 for small businesses. This is your Week-in-Review.
Read More →Study: Virginia a ‘brighter star’ for small business
By Carten Cordell │ Watchdog.org, Virginia Bureau
ALEXANDRIA — Virginia’s reputation as a state friendly to business growth isn’t just for giant corporations.
A new study out from website Thumbtack.com and the Kauffman Foundation found the Old Dominion to be the sixth friendliest state for small business growth.
The study, which is in its second year, gave Virginia [...]



















