(Not) gone for Good
Fifth District Republican Bob Good will serve a second term in Congress, after beating Democratic challenger Josh Throneburg on November 8 by 16 percentage points—around 48,600 votes. After last year’s redistricting, the 5th is considered competitive, but remains Republican-leaning, according to FiveThirtyEight. A Democrat has not won the seat since 2008.
“The people of the 5th District have spoken loudly and convincingly that the 5th District is a bright red conservative district,” Good told reporters outside his Election Day campaign party in Lynchburg, reports NBC29. “I’m just so encouraged and so thankful to the voters of the 5th District who gave us overwhelming support, about 10 points above where we finished two years ago.”
“The American people are asking the Republican Party to rescue them from the Democrat party,” added the hardcore conservative. “That’s what’s happening tonight.”
Throneburg, an ordained minister and small business owner, congratulated Good on a “long, hard-fought race,” and thanked his many supporters in his concession statement.
“I’m so grateful to the people who supported me through this campaign—the tireless volunteers, the local committees, the grassroots donors who helped us do everything from gassing up our cars to putting commercials up on television. I’m grateful to my staff and to Eleanor, my campaign manager,” he said. “Most of all, I’m grateful to my family: Minhee, Lucy and Agnes are the reasons I got into this race … [and] continue the fight to build a better world.”
Throneburg expressed disappointment over his loss, but promised to continue to serve the district.
“The challenges that we face, as a district, a nation and a planet, remain stark, and my commitment to addressing those challenges remains firm,” he said. “I will not forget the many residents of the 5th District I met during this race: the good, hardworking people who simply want a better, fairer, more just world for their families and their communities.”
“I will pray for Bob Good,” he added, “and pray that he can rise to the challenge of being a representative who helps those people build the world they seek.”
Reflecting on other midterm races lost by Democrats, Throneburg encouraged his party members to “do better at working together,” and implement better campaign strategies.
“We have great ideas, I think we actually have great hearts, but we don’t always have the strategy we need,” he told CBS19. “I think there’s some opportunity to be more efficient, integrated, and cooperative.”
Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin also voiced disappointment over some of Virginia’s midterm results. GOP candidates Yesli Vega and Hung Cao—who the governor had stumped for—lost to Democratic incumbents Abigail Spanberger and Jennifer Wexton in the 7th District and 10th District, respectively.
“I do think that as a Republican, we had hoped that we would win more races,” Youngkin told NBC29. “I do think that the ultimate outcome of a change of leadership in Congress will happen in the House.”
At press time, Republicans were on track to gain a majority in the House of Representatives, while Democrats will maintain control of the Senate.
In brief
Shots fired
The Charlottesville Police Department responded to a November 12 aggravated assault report on the 800 Block of Hardy Drive, where they found a juvenile suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The juvenile was taken to the hospital, but police have not provided updates on the person’s condition. Anyone with information is asked to contact CPD at 970-3280.
Silva arrested
On November 14, the CPD received a report of threats that 31-year-old Bryan Michael Silva made on social media against UVA, and obtained a search warrant for his West Main Street residence. Silva was arrested and charged with possessing a controlled substance, and a weapon or ammunition as a convicted felon. On November 13, Silva, a social media celebrity and adult content creator, said on Facebook that he wanted UVA to “know what pain and suffering is”—just three days before, he posted a video showing hundreds of bullet cartridges. Police do not believe his threats were related to the shooting at the university.
(Another) hoax call
On November 15, the Charlottesville Police Department received a call claiming there was an active shooter at Walker Upper Elementary School, but did not identify any unusual activity or threat after placing students on lockdown. Police are investigating the false report. In September, Charlottesville High School and Buford Middle School were targeted by hoax shooter calls, and last month, the middle school was swatted again.
Standards criticized
The Virginia Department of Education has proposed revisions to the state’s history and social science learning standards that “recognize the world impact of America’s quest for a ‘more perfect Union’ and the optimism, ideals, and imagery captured by Ronald Reagan’s ‘shining city upon a hill’ speech,” reads the draft revisions, which were released on November 11. “Students will know our nation’s exceptional strengths … while learning from terrible periods and actions in direct conflict with these ideals.” Critics, including the Virginia Education Association, say the changes are full of conservative bias, reports The Washington Post. The state education board is expected to vote on the standards early next year.
Brunch it up
Grab your mimosas and remotes—you can now catch Charlottesville chef Antwon Brinson on HBO Max’s new cooking show, “The Big Brunch,” created and hosted by actor Daniel Levy. Brinson is one of 10 chefs with a social impact mission competing for a $300,000 prize. Brinson’s Culinary Concepts AB trains underserved populations, including incarcerated people, for careers in the culinary arts.
