Geary Higgins Archives - The Virginia Star

Republicans Nominate Navy Vet Hung Cao in VA-10, Renominate Good in VA-05, Nominate Lipsman in VA-08

May 23, 2022May 23, 2022 Eric Burk

Republicans in Virginia’s 5th, 8th, and 10th Congressional Districts met Saturday, nominating Hung Cao to challenge Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10). Republicans also nominated Representative Bob Good (R-VA-05) for re-election and nominating Karina Lipsman to challenge Representative Don Beyer (D-VA-08).

“Hey Virginia, we did it! Thank you to my campaign team, my volunteers, the donors, all my friends, and you the electorate. We did it, and now we’re going forward to the general election. We’re going to unite this district like it’s never been united before,” Cao said in a Sunday video.

Youngkin Seeks to Force Whole Loudoun County School Board to Run Again in November

April 14, 2022April 13, 2022 Eric Burk

Governor Glenn Youngkin wants the whole Loudoun County School Board (LCSB) to run for re-election this year instead of just two of its members, and has amended a bill from Delegate David Reid (D-Loudoun) to make that happen.

“The last few years just absolutely signified some real challenges with the Loudoun County School Board. And so in the spirit of transparency and accountability, my amendment gives parents the ability to elect their school board. This election can reflect the will of parents, and it’s a chance with my amendment to do that right now, this November,” Youngkin said in an interview with 7 News DC.

Virginia’s 10th District GOP Picks Canvass to Nominate a Challenger to Rep. Wexton

March 20, 2022March 19, 2022 Eric Burk

Virginia’s Tenth Congressional District has attracted 11 candidates for the GOP nomination canvass, scheduled to be held on May 21. After redistricting, Republicans see an opportunity to defeat incumbent Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-Virginia-10).

“We think we’ve got a really good shot at winning this, and I think that’s why we have 11 candidates running,” Tenth District GOP Chairman Geary Higgins told The Virginia Star.

Loudoun County Students Stage Walk Out over the County School District’s Handling of Sexual Assaults

October 27, 2021October 27, 2021 Eric Burk

Loudoun County Public Schools students staged a walk-out at multiple high schools on Tuesday morning in protest of failure to protect students after a May sexual assault.

Students outside Broad Run High School chanted, “Loudoun County protects rapists,” NBC Washington reporter Drew Wilder tweeted.

Delegate Wendy Gooditis Facing Serious Challenge from Republican Newcomer Nick Clemente

October 20, 2021October 19, 2021 Eric Burk

Virginia House District 10 is one of Republicans’ best chances to flip a House seat in the election; Republicans hope to retake the majority by winning a net six seats. The district includes part of Loudoun County, where the local school board has become a battleground and a national bellweather for the GOP’s new messaging on education. Statewide politicians have made repeated stops in the area, and GOP challenger Nick Clemente and Delegate Wendy Gooditis (D-Clarke) have together raised over $2 million, placing the district number one among the 100 House seats for fundraising, according to The Virginia Public Access Project.

“I think Gooditis is probably the second most likely Democrat to lose in the House,” CNalysis Executive Director Chaz Nuttycombe said. “I think Nick Clemente is definitely the strongest recruit that the GOP has going up against the Democrats.”

Involvement in Virginia Local School Board Politics Is Increasing

July 8, 2021July 7, 2021 Eric Burk

Public comment periods at the Loudoun County School Board have repeatedly gone viral as hundreds of parents and activists speak out against new transgender policies mandated by law and Critical Race Theory (CRT) equity initiatives. There’s also an effort to recall six of the school board members. But Loudoun County Public Schools isn’t the only Virginia school district to see new growth in public involvement in school politics.

Loudoun County School Board Backpedals on Policy Limiting Free Speech Indefinitely After Public Outcry

October 15, 2020October 14, 2020 Corinne Murdock

Loudoun County School Board voted this week to revise their “Professional Conduct” policy governing employee speech off of school property. Up until the latest meeting, members recommended to approve and accept the policy.
Apparently, public outcry from teachers unions and community members led to this decision.

Amid Pushback, Lack of Interest in Library Daycares, Two Loudoun Libraries Reopen

September 16, 2020September 15, 2020 Eric Burk

Loudoun County’s Rust and Ashburn libraries are reopened to the public; the Board of Supervisors (BOS) had decided to use the libraries as child care facilities but then backtracked.

After Loudoun Turns Two Libraries into Daycares, Library Board Chair Denis Cotter Resigns

September 7, 2020September 6, 2020 Eric Burk

Four days after announcements that two of Loudoun’s libraries would be converted to child care centers, Denis Cotter, chair of the library’s Board of Trustees (BOT), announced his resignation from the board. The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (BOS) only notified Cotter and other library leadership after the decision to convert the libraries had been made.