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.
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.
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.
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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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.
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.
An Education-First Platform
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This bill mandates that all athletic teams or sports sponsored by public schools, Virginia High School League members, or public higher education institutions be designated based on the biological sex of participants. Teams must be labeled as male, female, or coed/mixed if open to both sexes. A signed physician's statement is required to affirm the biological sex of any student wanting to join a designated team.
It prohibits female-designated teams from allowing male participants and ensures that no government entity, accrediting organization, or athletic association can take action against a school or institution for not following this rule. The bill also allows schools or institutions to take legal action if harmed by violations and permits students to file a civil suit if they are harmed due to a violation or for reporting one.
This bill was passed indefinitely by the Education and Health committee.
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Cole has requested $25,000 from the General Fund to support Stafford County’s Rappahannock Education Farm.
HB1598 Individual income tax; first-time homebuyer tax credit.This bill would create a one-time tax credit for first-time homebuyers. From 2025 to 2029, eligible homebuyers can receive a nonrefundable income tax credit of up to $10,000 for expenses related to buying their first home. The credit is based on the purchase price of the home. However, if the buyer sells the home within three years of purchasing it, they will have to repay the credit.
The bill passed two committees with 5-3 and 11-10 split votes and is currently waiting for review by the Commerce, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee.
