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Delegate Tara Durant (R-Fredericksburg, Stafford)

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Virginia State Senator Tara Durant (R) announced her campaign for Congress on June 18, 2025, setting up a high-stakes showdown with incumbent Rep. Eugene Vindman (D) in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.

“As a mom, Marine wife, and conservative fighter, I’ve spent my life standing up for faith, family, and freedom,” Durant said in her announcement. “As a State Senator, I partnered with Governor Glenn Youngkin to cut taxes, back the blue, and fight back against the far-left agenda. Now I’m running for Congress to take that same fight to Washington and work with President Trump to secure our border, fully fund our police, end the reckless spending, and restore common-sense leadership.”

Durant, who currently represents Virginia’s 27th Senate District—including Fredericksburg, Stafford County, and Spotsylvania County—won her seat in 2023 with 48.28% of the vote, defeating Democrat Joel Griffin and Independent Monica Gary. She did not represent Prince William County, which is not part of her state Senate district but is the largest locality in the 7th Congressional District.

In contrast, Prince William County played a decisive role in Vindman’s 2024 congressional victory. Vindman carried the county with 63.63% of the vote, defeating Republican Derrick Anderson by more than 36,000 votes there. While Anderson won Spotsylvania County (53.52%) and came within a percentage point of Vindman in Stafford County, it wasn’t enough to overcome Vindman’s large margin in Prince William. Vindman ultimately won the district with 50.20% of the vote, compared to Anderson’s 47.38%.

Durant’s base of support in Stafford and Spotsylvania—two of the three largest jurisdictions in the district—helped her win her state Senate seat in 2023. In that race, she carried both counties while losing in the city of Fredericksburg. Now, she’ll need to expand her support into Prince William County, which leans heavily Democratic and helped power Vindman’s win.

Vindman, a retired Army colonel and ethics attorney who rose to prominence during the Trump impeachment inquiry, took office in January 2025. Since then, he’s opened a district office in Fredericksburg, faced scrutiny over campaign spending tied to a book tour involving his twin brother, and made headlines for an apology after posing with a historical Virginia flag linked to the Confederacy.

The 2026 race for Virginia’s 7th District is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the country, drawing national attention and likely millions in campaign spending.

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PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Republican Gregory Lee Gorham won the GOP nomination for Virginia’s 21st House District on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, defeating two challengers in a three-way primary and setting up a November contest against incumbent Democrat Josh Thomas.

Gorham won 66.35% of the vote with 970 ballots cast in his favor. Sahar Smith finished second with 395 votes (27.02%), and Xanthe Larsen placed third with 97 votes (6.63%).

The outcome followed a weekend candidate forum hosted by the HOA Roundtable, a civic group focused on land use, transportation, school crowding, and development in western Prince William County. Gorham was the only Republican candidate to attend the June 14 forum.

“Every day in this campaign, miracles happen. I get smarter. I witness it,” Gorham said at the event. “I think I’ve got a lot of courage. I think I can demonstrate that by the things I’ve tried before.”

A Forum as a Job Interview

HOA Roundtable Chair Mac Haddow introduced the session as a “job interview” for the candidates. He criticized Smith and Larsen for not participating and noted the event’s focus on “specific issues that impact our communities,” especially the rapid expansion of data centers in the county.

“We believe that candidates have to be accountable for the decisions they make,” Haddow said. “Citizens have the right to be able to examine the candidates that are here for public office.”

Gorham’s Policy Agenda: Land Use, Ethics, and Utility Reform

Gorham devoted most of his remarks to data center oversight, campaign finance transparency, and how state legislation can support better local governance.

“Controlling data center sprawl” topped his campaign bullet points, Gorham said. “I want to come up with some different solutions.”

Gorham has opposed what he calls “non-disclosures that the county is being forced to sign,” adding that “I don’t see the necessity to keep these things as secret.” He said he would support stronger Freedom of Information Act laws and penalties for excessive secrecy in land use negotiations.

On campaign contributions, Gorham said:

“I would definitely support exploring” a ban on donations from companies with pending business before local or state boards. “There’s such a flexibility in what money can be done with their PACs… and it’s the quickest thing to get crushed.”

He also wants to block local governments from approving large projects like data centers before environmental reviews are completed. He criticized the Board of County Supervisors for approving the Prince William Digital Gateway project before completing a water impact study.

“I almost closed my eyes and saw Nancy Pelosi saying, ‘Let’s pass it and we’ll read the bill later,’” said Gorham.

Gorham also favors noise and air quality regulations targeting backup diesel generators at data centers.

“I’d like to see regular routine measurements of the air, the water, and so on,” he said. “If you tell [data center operators] with certainty what their requirements are, they will meet it.”

On Taxes: Repeal Car Tax, Replace It With Data Center Tax

Asked about repealing the car tax, Gorham said, “I would be in favor of joining my fellow Republicans in Richmond to repeal it… I definitely will go along.”

To replace the revenue, he proposed a new state tax on data centers:

“I’m all for not putting the cost of their folly on our backs,” he said. “They say we’ll get all these taxes, and they never materialize.”

He called the current method of taxing data centers “laughable” and “primitive,” citing depreciation loopholes and tax exemptions based on government tenants.

“They’re laughing themselves silly at these data center corporate offices,” said Gorham. “We have to find a way of being able to tell them no.”

Partisan Independence and Legislative Strategy

Though running as a Republican, Gorham said his campaign is rooted in local problem-solving.

“I’m going to vote with what’s right for the House District 21,” he told one attendee. “I am not looking to make this a forever job. I’m running for one term and we’ll see how that goes.”

Gorham said he planned to file legislation immediately if elected.

“When I win in November, I will have a month to get my legislation… ready to go the first week of December,” he said. “I’m not going to sit around like a typical freshman delegate and get nothing done.”

Thomas, has also made data center regulation a central issue of his term in office. In 2025, he sponsored House Bill 1601, which would have required applicants seeking to build new high-energy use facilities (HEUFs), such as data centers, to submit a site assessment examining impacts on nearby homes and schools, and potentially on water resources, agriculture, historic sites, and forests.

The bill preserved local zoning authority and exempted minor expansions of existing facilities. Though the legislation passed both chambers, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed the bill.

Gorham described his opponent, Delegate Josh Thomas, as someone who “really doesn’t know the district” and who “sticks to party line issues.” Gorham specifically criticized Thomas’ handling of his bill on data center siting, saying the delegate should have accepted Governor Glenn Youngkin’s amendments instead of turning the bill into a political fight.

“They’re going to try doing the same things over and over again,” he said. “I want to do things that are going to pass and succeed.”

Gorham expressed interest in working across the aisle with Senator Danica Roem, a Democrat whose Senate district overlaps with House District 21.

“I think there’s a lot of things that Senator Roem and I agree on,” he said. “We could be very potent getting things done.”

Campaign Ethics and Conflict of Interest

Gorham pledged to remain independent from data center influence and challenged his former primary opponents to do the same.

“I have not signed a sales contract or any legal agreement that prevents me from fully discussing data centers,” Gorham said. “I have not signed a nondisclosure agreement, and I will not sign any nondisclosure agreement that will prevent me from fully engaging this data center subject in Richmond.”

He said he has no other conflicts of interest:

“I have all the money I need to live the rest of my life in comfort,” he said. “I’m not going to be vulnerable to someone throwing a sack of cash at my table.”

Voters will head to the polls on November 4, 2025, for the General Election. Early voting begins September 19 and continues until November 1, 2025.

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FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – A political postcard-writing session hosted by the Fredericksburg Republican Committee at Wegmans ended prematurely on Sunday, June 8, after store staff asked the group to leave, citing company policy.

According to a statement released by Fredericksburg GOP Chair Scott Vezina, several members of the committee gathered at the 2nd-floor market café in the Fredericksburg Wegmans to eat, socialize, and write postcards in support of Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Sears. Vezina said a Wegmans employee had given verbal approval beforehand, provided the group remained non-disruptive and refrained from soliciting.

However, after about 30 minutes, a manager allegedly approached the group and, upon learning about the postcard-writing activity, asked them to leave. Vezina said the group was told their actions constituted solicitation and were therefore not permitted.

“The manager was aggressive and rude in her tone and demeanor,” Vezina said in the statement. “This was an unfortunate situation that could have been easily resolved with basic courtesy and respect.”

The committee said it observed other groups using the same space for non-commercial gatherings and raised concerns over inconsistent enforcement of store policy. They called on Wegmans to clarify its rules regarding group use of seating areas and to train staff on conflict resolution.

In response to an inquiry from Potomac Local News, :

“We are aware of an incident at our Fredericksburg store yesterday,” wrote Wegmans spokeswoman Marcie Rivera in an emailed statement. “While we allow gatherings in our market cafes for customers who are socializing and enjoying our products, there are occasions when groups may be asked to leave. As a private company, we do not allow any solicitation on our property and on this occasion, the group conduct was deemed to violate our non-solicitation policy.”

The Fredericksburg Republican Committee said it would hold future postcard-writing events at a different location and reaffirmed its commitment to “peaceful civic engagement and dialogue.”

Virginia voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, to elect the Commonwealth’s next governor. The race features two high-profile candidates: Republican Lt. Governor Winsome Sears and Democratic former U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger. With Governor Glenn Youngkin unable to seek re-election due to Virginia’s one-term limit for governors, the contest is expected to draw national attention as a potential bellwether for political trends heading into 2026.

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Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega highlights Republican leadership diversity and her historic election win during her speech at the Lincoln Reagan Dinner. [Photo: Alan Gloss]

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – The Prince William County Republican Committee’s annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner on May 3, 2025, shattered records for both attendance and fundraising, pulling in $70,000 and netting over $40,000. According to a press release, held near Manassas, the sold-out event drew strong support from the local business community and showcased the party’s growing diversity.

Lieutenant Governor and Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle Sears headlined the evening alongside Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts. Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega also addressed the crowd, praising the diverse turnout and emphasizing the party’s evolving makeup. “The diversity of the attendees demonstrates the growth of the modern Republican party in this county and the country,” said PWCRC Chairman Jacob Alderman.

Sears laid out her pro-business platform and called for an “all of the above” energy policy to drive job creation. Roberts, meanwhile, contrasted Sears with her Democratic opponent, Abigail Spanberger, questioning her moderate label and urging conservatives to act decisively.

Just days after the dinner, Supervisor Vega made headlines again by launching a new political action committee (PAC)—and kicking it off with a $100,000 donation from a data center developer, according to the Prince William Times. The contribution places the PAC on a strong financial footing from the outset, coming amid continued debate in the county over the expansion of data centers.

Vega, a former Prince William County sheriff’s deputy, is a two-time elected representative for the Coles District on the Board of County Supervisors. She first won her seat in 2019 and was re-elected in 2023. In 2022, she ran as the Republican nominee for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. She narrowly lost to incumbent Democrat Abigail Spanberger, now running for Virginia Governor, in a high-profile and closely watched race.

Since then, Vega has remained a prominent figure in Northern Virginia conservative politics and is seen as a potential contender for higher office.

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FAIRFAX, Va. – Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, a veteran Northern Virginia lawmaker known for his decades of public service and deep ties to the region, died peacefully at his home this morning, surrounded by family, according to a statement released by his loved ones.

“It is with immense sadness that we share that our devoted and loving father, husband, brother, friend, and public servant, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, passed away peacefully at his home this morning surrounded by family,” the statement read.

Connolly announced in April 2025 that he would not seek another term in Congress, citing the return of cancer after initial treatments. In a letter to supporters, he also stepped down as Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee. He said he was proud of more than 30 years of service and thanked his family, staff, and constituents for their support.

Connolly had represented Virginia’s 11th Congressional District since 2009. Before redistricting in 2022, that district included parts of Prince William County, where Connolly built strong relationships with local officials and residents. After redistricting, the district was redrawn to include only Fairfax County, but Connolly remained a familiar and respected figure across the region.

He previously served as chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, where he earned a reputation as a skilled executive and passionate advocate for infrastructure, environmental policy, and community development. His legacy is visible in regional projects like the Silver Line, Oakton Library, Mosaic District, and Cross County Trail.

Connolly was remembered by his family as someone who stood up for the voiceless and lived by the phrase, “bloom where you are planted.” They said his love for Northern Virginia was the foundation of his purpose and passion.

“His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but we are proud that his life’s work will endure for future generations,” the family wrote. “We thank you for your love of Gerry, and know he loved you all so much.”

This is a breaking news alert from Potomac Local News. Stay with us for more details as they become available.

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PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Early voting is now underway in Virginia’s Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor, and one Northern Virginia candidate is making a bold stand on gambling.

Prince William County School Board Chairman Dr. Babur Lateef, one of five Democrats seeking the nomination, is campaigning hard against proposals to expand casino gambling in the state—particularly a push to build a casino in Tysons Corner. He argues that Virginia, which has operated with budget surpluses in recent years, doesn’t need gambling revenue to fund its government.

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Michele Trampe of Central Virginia Justice Initiative and Lisa Silver accept a proclamation from Chairman Meg Bohmke on behalf of human trafficking victims.

A shakeup is underway in Stafford County politics. Longtime Falmouth District Supervisor Meg Bohmke announced she will not seek reelection, while School Board Member Maya Guy declared her candidacy for the Aquia District seat on the Board of Supervisors.

During the April 1, 2025, Board of Supervisors meeting, Bohmke, who has served 12 years on the board and four years previously on the school board, said she is stepping away from public office.

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Stafford County leaders are responding to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s recent veto of SB1307, a bill that would have allowed counties and cities across Virginia to hold voter referendums on implementing a 1% local sales and use tax dedicated to public school construction and renovation projects.

The legislation, introduced by Senator Jeremy McPike (D-29, Prince William, Stafford), sought to add Stafford County to the list of localities eligible to consider the tax through a ballot referendum. McPike criticized the governor’s decision on social media, calling it a move that blocks local communities from choosing how to fund needed school improvements.

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A small group of demonstrators gathered outside the Prince William County Judicial Center in Manassas on Friday afternoon to protest President Donald Trump’s alarming consolidation of executive power.

The protest, organized by Will Stewart of Indivisible NoVA West, drew about 10 attendees. The group selected the courthouse as a symbolic backdrop to highlight what they described as the judiciary’s critical role in holding the executive branch accountable.

“This was a local protest to spotlight how Trump has sidelined or removed officials and agencies meant to keep him in check — from military legal advisers to election watchdogs,” Stewart said in an email. “The Judicial Center represents one of the three pillars of government that is still pushing back.”

Stewart said his group plans to organize more demonstrations across Prince William County in the coming months and encourages others to get involved via their Facebook page.

But Friday’s protest came as data shows growing support for Trump in the same community. In the November 2024 general election, Prince William County experienced a 3.7-point shift toward Republican candidates compared to the 2021 election, according to an analysis published by Virginia nonprofit Cardinal News.

Though Prince William remains a Democratic-leaning locality, the data suggests Republican turnout efforts outperformed expectations, especially in suburban areas where Democrats typically enjoy more substantial margins.

The protestors, however, focused less on polling data and more on policy decisions, accusing Trump of installing unqualified loyalists in key federal positions and dismantling independent oversight mechanisms.

In a lengthy statement, Stewart accused the administration of firing inspectors general, whistleblower investigators, and top military legal advisors, while weakening agencies like the Federal Election Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“His actions have effectively dismantled the guardrails of our democracy,” Stewart said.

While the group’s turnout on Friday was modest — just four individuals were photographed outside the courthouse — Stewart attributed the low numbers to a technical glitch that prevented their rally notice from being widely shared.

In previous events held in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, Stewart said the group had drawn more than 60 people.

As the 2025 campaign season heats up, Prince William County may once again become a key battleground — not just at the ballot box, but on the sidewalks where protestors and political movements seek to sway public opinion.

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Dr. Babur Lateef, Chairman At-Large of the Prince William County School Board, has entered the race for Virginia's Lieutenant Governor, positioning himself as an education-focused candidate in a crowded Democratic primary. With years of experience overseeing Virginia’s second-largest school division, Lateef brings a track record of pushing for increased teacher pay, improved graduation rates, and infrastructure investments—all issues he hopes to prioritize at the state level.

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