David Sherfinski
Articles by David Sherfinski
McDonnell nets record haul for GOP governors
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's Republican Governors Association hauled in a record $44.7 million last year, far outpacing the Democratic Governors Association's $20 million in the latest chapter of Mr. McDonnell's rivalry with Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley. Published January 5, 2012
Three GOP candidates join Perry lawsuit in Va.
Three Republican presidential contenders — including Rick Santorum, fresh off a strong performance in Iowa — intervened in a lawsuit Wednesday in a eleventh-hour effort to get their names on Virginia's March 6 presidential primary ballot. Published January 5, 2012
McDonnell rolls out 2012 energy initiatives
Gov. Bob McDonnell trickled out more pieces of his 2012 agenda on Thursday, laying out a wide array of measures designed to promote and develop Virginia's energy resources. Published January 5, 2012
Virginia GOP party voter oath ‘unenforceable,’ McDonnell says
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling are urging the Republican Party of Virginia State Central Committee to rescind a "loyalty oath" that would require voters to sign a statement saying that they intend to support the party's nominee before they are allowed to vote in the March 6 primary. Published January 5, 2012
McDonnell aims to lure biotech jobs to Virginia
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell said Wednesday he is seeking nearly $37 million in his biennial budget to lure businesses and jobs to the commonwealth, putting much of the focus on life sciences and biotechnology — sectors that are staples of the economy of neighboring Maryland. Published January 4, 2012
Bolling delimits tiebreaker role in divided Virginia Senate
Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling will cast tiebreaking votes on organizing the state Senate, but not on matters such as the budget, the approval of judges or constitutional amendments, he said Tuesday. Published January 3, 2012
Marshall eyes U.S. Senate run from Virginia
Delegate Robert G. Marshall is "actively interested" in launching a bid for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate this year, the Prince William Republican said Tuesday. Published January 3, 2012
Cuccinelli attests he can defend ballot law he wanted changed
The office of Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II insisted Tuesday that the Virginia attorney general does not have a conflict of interest in a high-profile lawsuit over the state's ballot-access law despite his having openly criticized it. Published January 3, 2012
McDonnell’s funds cut for Potomac panel challenged
A Virginia appointee to a multistate commission charged with cleaning and maintaining the Potomac River has released a scathing letter refuting the McDonnell administration's justification for cutting funds to the 71-year-old compact. Published January 2, 2012
Eyes turn to Virginia as state weighs voter ID law
Virginia legislators are preparing to take on the thorny subject of voter identification laws during the upcoming General Assembly session amid national controversy that includes the Justice Department's rejection of a state law on the matter for the first time in almost 20 years. Published January 2, 2012
Cuccinelli backs away from call for fast fix to ballot law
Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II backed away Sunday from a call to fix the state's ballot access law in time to change the ballot for the March 6 Republican presidential primary, while reaffirming his support to make a fix for future elections. Published January 1, 2012
Cuccinelli backs emergency bill to widen Va. GOP primary field
Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II is urging the General Assembly to pass emergency legislation to allow more Republican candidates to qualify for the March 6 GOP presidential primary — the latest salvo in a controversy over ballot access that has erupted in the last week. Published December 31, 2011
McDonnell approves $150M for Dulles rail
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has conditionally signed off on a funding agreement for the $2.8 billion Phase 2 of the Dulles Metrorail project, pledging to kick in $150 million in state funds as long as certain provisions are met. Published December 31, 2011
Northern Virginia lawyer files suit to get Gingrich on Virginia ballot
A Northern Virginia lawyer and Republican activist filed a lawsuit in state court on Thursday in an attempt to get House Speaker Newt Gingrich to appear on the state's March 6 presidential primary ballot. Published December 29, 2011
McDonnell OKs abortion regulations
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell on Thursday approved new regulations for abortion facilities that proponents argue will protect patient health but critics claim will shut down a majority of the state's abortion providers. Published December 29, 2011
Perry gets time to have name put on Va. ballot
A noticeably skeptical federal judge has given the presidential campaign of Gov. Rick Perry and the state of Virginia a little more than a week to lay out their arguments in Mr. Perry's lawsuit seeking to get his name onto the state's March 6 primary ballot. Published December 29, 2011
Perry sues for spot on ballot in Va. after signature shortfall
Republican presidential contender Newt Gingrich said Wednesday that a paid worker turned in fraudulent signatures to try to get him on the ballot in Virginia, while Texas. Gov. Rick Perry stepped up his legal effort to be included in the Old Dominion's March 6 primary. Published December 28, 2011
Left off Virginia ballot, Perry files suit
Texas Gov. Rick Perry filed a lawsuit in federal court on Tuesday challenging the state of Virginia's ballot access rules that left him off of the March 6 presidential primary ballot in the state. Published December 27, 2011
Va. presidential ballot certification to be challenged
A former Democratic Party of Virginia chairman is teaming up with a conservative group to challenge the certifications of Mitt Romney and Texas Rep. Ron Paul for the March 6 presidential primary ballot after a long weekend of hand wringing over the Republican Party of Virginia's stringent qualification requirements. Published December 27, 2011
Virginia budget omits funds for Potomac River
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's two-year, $85 billion budget blueprint does not include thousands in dues to a long-standing, multistate compact to clean and maintain the Potomac River, a move drawing fire from critics who say the relatively small outlay provides a substantial return for the commonwealth. Published December 26, 2011