| Dear friends and citizens, 270 years ago, during General Braddock's disastrous attack on Fort Duquesne which cost him his life, George Washington took command and barely escaped the same fate. Musket balls had pierced his coat and hat while two horses had been shot from underneath him. Washington learned a valuable tactical lesson that served him during the American Revolution: better to retreat safely with most of his men, prepared to rally and fight another day, than surrender. Subsequently, he was hailed as a hero and given command of the Virginia Militia. While winning is always preferable to losing, growth and change to advance a cause rarely have the same urgency when things go smoothly. So let us take heart from General Washington's example and not give up for better government in the Commonwealth. Let's vow to keep working to advance the commonsense agenda grounded in first principles that are the reasons we have flourished as a civil society. It's unfortunate that the imposition of harmful socialist nostrums that have degraded living conditions in states and nations worldwide will be applied here. As we stand up for all Virginians, let's work hard to reveal and fight the spoken, and unspoken agenda which threatens to undermine the very inalienable rights that are the primary cause for our 250th anniversary celebrations. By taking inspiration from General George Washington's example, we can regroup, but we should never surrender. Sincerely,  Will McGurn Interim President, The Virginia Council The Virginia (Up) Rising Summit was held by the Virginia Tea Party Saturday November 22nd. John Reid provided opening remarks before the packed lineup of speakers who presented to a sold-out room of patriots. He thanked Tea Party members for their support during his election effort: from letter-writing to phone calls and contributions. He praised them for not giving up on efforts to exercise their rights to effect positive change in Virginia by remaining principled and resolute in their pursuit of liberty.  John Reid addresses the Virginia Tea Party audience. The Virginia Tea Party faithful were treated to a powerful lineup of impassioned speakers: Turning Point USA College Field Representative Emily DeYoung (see the video interview below with Nelson Velez, VATP Chairman), original Tea Party organizer Jenny Beth Martin, founder of VPAP David Poole, veteran broadcast and print journalist Christine Dolan, and national security veteran and educator Commander John Hooper. Virginia Election Updates: Early bill filings signal Democratic priorities in Senate, House | WVTF By Michael Pope Governor-elect Spanberger talks affordability and priorities for day one By Henry Graff Spanberger and senators get a dour economic forecast: Virginia is trading high-wage jobs for lower-wage ones - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey Sen. Carroll Foy seeks to repeal Virginia’s right-to-work law | State | insidenova.com By Shirleen Guerra 5 ways to measure whether the Spanberger administration succeeds - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey Virginia Supreme Court refuses to review AG's appeal in college board appointees case • Virginia Mercury By Nathaniel Cline Commentary: John Reid, two weeks after Election Day Democrats prioritize increasing the minimum wage and providing paid leave By Brandon Jarvis Virginia's population center is moving closer to Fredericksburg each year - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey After years of vetoes, Virginia poised to launch adult-use cannabis market • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt House Republicans reelect Kilgore after leadership challenge - Cardinal News By Cardinal Staff Warrenton delegate re-elected as GOP Whip in Virginia House | Localnews | fauquier.com By Sarah Dolgin The Virginia GOP’s Sole Hope: Democratic Overreach — Kerry: By Chap Peterson Voting Methods in the November 2025 Election By VPAP.ORG  Virginia Assembly, Senate & Governor updates: Virginians should see full SNAP benefits arrive no later than Tuesday, governor's office says - Cardinal News By Emily Shabacker Shooter who killed 3 UVA football players gets 5 life sentences plus 23 years By Cameron Thompson Tim Kaine, Virginia Democrat, defends Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer from liberal backlash - Washington Times By Seth McLaughlin Virginia ranks among most expensive in U.S. for raising a child | WAVY.com By Chrysnel Banzouzi DEVELOPING: House Judiciary Committee chair launches inquiry into Arlington’s top prosecutor | ARLnow.com By Dan Egitto Virginia's opioid crisis cost $5.2B in 2023, recovery investments show promise By A.J. Nwoko Richmond area lost over $1 billion to Virginia's opioid crisis - Axios Richmond By Sabrina Moreno State Sen. Creigh Deeds received his FOIA requests from U.Va. — here’s what we learned - The Cavalier Daily - University of Virginia's Student Newspaper Ryan and Sheridan provide full accounts of Ryan’s resignation. They differ significantly - The Cavalier Daily - University of Virginia's Student Newspaper By Cecilia Mould State senators may call UVA leaders to the carpet over agreement to end DOJ investigations • Virginia Mercury By Nathaniel Cline Gambling interests are investing heavily in Virginia's legislative process | WVTF By Michael Pope Broadband expansion in Virginia can continue under federal program, Trump administration says - Cardinal News By Tad Dickens Wittman: The importance of adoption - A personal reflection By Congressman Rob Wittman Virginia nursing home board pitches solutions to long-term care 'crisis' By Tyler Layne Virginia's population center is moving closer to Fredericksburg each year - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey The E-ZPass on your windshield makes paying tolls a breeze, but the machines have a shelf life By Toby Cox CleanArc Data Centers invests whopping $3 billion in Caroline County • Virginia Mercury By Shannon Heckt  Articles, News, & Quotes: Who Are All Those Voters at 1405 South Fern Street? | Bacon's Rebellion - By Eduardo Vidal Corrections officer dies after ‘violent attack’ by inmate at River North Correctional Center | WRIC ABC 8News By Katelyn Harlow Virginia private school to pay $100,000 to parents after antisemitic bullying allegations | wusa9.com By Ittai Sopher Baltik's Bagel in Richmond wins People's Choice Award at New York BagelFest By WTVR CBS 6 staff NPR affiliate’s backup audio signal hacked, ‘offensive material’ broadcast in Richmond area | WRIC ABC 8News By Katelyn Harlow This 1.83-pound peach just broke a world record - Axios Richmond By Karri Piefer Richmond homeless shelter director pleads guilty to stealing nearly $1 million in government funds | WRIC ABC 8News By Julia Broberg Assistant Principal From Virginia and His Brother Arrested for Plotting to Shoot Police and ICE Agents (VIDEO) | The Gateway Pundit | by Mike LaChance Conflict Of Interest Claimed In Suit Vs. FCPS's Alleged Retaliation By Stephanie Lundquist-Arora Victory: Victoria Cobb Speaks to TPUSA Club About "Two Genders" Despite Last Minute Lawsuit to Stop Her — Founding Freedoms Law Center Indictment alleges contractor used child labor at Eastern Shore poultry plant By Margaret Kavanagh Is the Comey Prosecution on Thin Ice? Not As Thin As Some Might Have You Think – RedState By Susie Moore Alleged victims of racially-fueled incident in Spotsylvania now facing criminal charges - Fredericksburg Free Press By Taft Coghill Jr. Historian says key events in Virginia early in the revolution have not gotten the attention they deserve, so he organized an event to address them - Cardinal News By Ben Swenson Long before Abraham Lincoln, Virginia's last royal governor issued his own Emancipation Proclamation. Here's what happened next. - Cardinal News By David M. Poole Dunmore's Proclamation, November 7, 1775: By his Excellency the Right Honorable John Earl of Dunmore : his Majesty's Lieutenant and Governor General of the colony and dominion of Virginia, and Vice Admiral of the same : a proclamation [declaring martial law, and to cause the same to be executed throughout this colony] / gven under my hand, on board the ship William, off Norfolk, the 7th day of November, in the sixteenth year of his Majesty's reign ; Dunmore ... After 232 Years, America Strikes Its Final Penny By Lorenzo Prieto Hampden-Sydney Celebrates 250 Years on Founders Day “Founded on Civic Virtue”  Interviews & Videos of Interest  Splash of Tea - Turning Point USA's Emily DeYoung - Virginia Rising Summit Special Nelson Velez, Chairman of the Virginia Tea Party, talks with Emily DeYoung, Turning Point USA’s Western Commonwealth Field Rep, in a powerful crossover episode bridging the original Tea Party generation with the rising conservative youth movement. The American Revolution | PBS All Episodes now streaming Filmmakers Ken Burns and David Schmidt talk with WHRO about ‘The American Revolution’ By Nick McNamara Splash of Tea - Turning Point USA's Emily DeYoung - Virginia Rising Summit Special Nelson Velez, Chairman of the Virginia Tea Party, talks with Emily DeYoung, Turning Point USA’s Western Commonwealth Field Rep, in a powerful crossover episode bridging the original Tea Party generation with the rising conservative youth movement. Local Virginia Republican Chairman Calls for Change in Leadership Joe Thomas interviews Loudoun County Republican Party Chair Scott Pio The Virginia Press Room Shutdown Calculus, Legislature Demographics, and the Republican Reaction SIP#66 - Jim Herring responds to the EPIC RPV Fail By Buddy Bishop Targeted & Doxxed: How We Defied the Woke Mob In this week’s episode of Rufo & Lomez, we’ll be talking about our origin story—where we came from, how we developed our politics, and where we hope the Right goes in the future. What the Rich Keep Getting Wrong About Poverty | Rob Henderson Old School By Shilo Brooks The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Liberty Trump Scores Election Security Win, but Could Be Fleeting By Fred Lucas America First Legal Files Amended Complaint in Landmark Lawsuit Challenging the 2020 Census, Adding Representative Byron Donalds as Plaintiff - America First Legal Today’s Firestorm and the Declaration - Imprimis By Larry P. Arnn A setback in Charlottesville and the fate of the George Rogers Clark monument  By Breccan F. Thies with quotes from Ann McLean UVA To Desecrate Monument For Revolutionary War Hero Help us to stop the further destruction and degradation of our historic past today! Help us fight for an honest, legal process to determine the fate of these historic pieces of art from Richmond. Decisions made by the mob are not a democratic process, but tyrannical. There have been some victories, but Virginia's monuments and history are still at risk of being erased. PLEASE DONATE HERE Moses Ezekiel birthday observance and the fate of The Reconciliation Monument Special virtual event 8 pm registration below: Nov 17 25 birthday report Announcing The Virginia Council membership reward program. Sign up today on our website for the various levels of support!" Freedom Member level: Simple membership is free when you sign up for our email newsletter or attend a monthly meeting. Liberty level: For an annual contribution of $100 you get the newsletter, access to our monthly meetings and a commemorative Virginia Council lapel pin. Patriot level: When you step up to make an annual contribution of $250 you receive first access to tickets to our annual Christmas and Patriot Parties, the commemorative Virginia Council pin, and the newsletter and monthly meeting access. President's Council level: For a commitment of $1000 you receive the newsletter, access to our monthly meetings, 2 lapel pins, 2 invitations to both of our annual parties, and 2 VIP tickets to one Virginia Forum lecture of your choice. We hope you'll find these rewards an added incentive to help fund our efforts to restore a full view of Virginia's history, monuments & role that government plays in our lives. We appreciate all your support and encouragement and look forward to bringing you more compelling voices of liberty, freedom, and conscience over the next year. To become a Liberty, Patriot, or President's Council member, please make a contribution here. To volunteer, click here. The Executive Board of the Virginia Council If you are interested in donating appreciated securities, we now have an account to make it easy for you (see the information below). Contact us HERE for more details.  The Virginia Council Preserving Virginia’s history and creating a more prosperous future for all Virginians. Stay Hopeful. Stay Connected. P. O. Box 5 Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103, United States |
