How to encourage more Virginians to get the COVID-19 vaccine is the latest battleground in the gubernatorial race. On Monday, Terry McAuliffe announced his “Virginia is for vaccine lovers” plan with a push for school divisions to require the vaccine and ensure health care providers follow federal guidelines. His plan also includes business incentives, enhanced marketing, and voluntary COVID-safety compliance certification.
“COVID is here. It’s not going away anytime soon, so we have to do everything that we possibly can to keep our children in school, build the strongest economy, and we’ve got to really get serious, and we’ve got to fight this deadly infection of COVID,” he said on a Tuesday press call.
On September 9, President Biden announced sweeping new COVID-19 vaccine requirements. The same day, Glenn Youngkin launched a pro-vaccine PSA: “The numbers show COVID-19 vaccines save lives. That’s why I chose to get the vaccine.”
He added, “It’s your right to get the vaccine, and I respect that.
Youngkin responded to McAuliffe’s Tuesday announcement with a Twitter challenge: “Hey @TerryMcAuliffe, I’m glad you’ve finally realized that a marketing campaign encouraging Virginians to get vaccinated against COVID is important. I released a PSA weeks ago. Where’s yours? Let’s put politics aside and film one together this Thursday at the debate – you in?”
McAuliffe fired back: “I have a real plan, Glenn. Not a gimmick like the one you launched to paper over the fact that you’ve been spreading anti-vax rhetoric. Here’s an idea: join me in calling for vaccine requirements so we can end this virus once and for all. Step up Glenn.”
Plaintiffs Ask for DOJ Intervention in Lawsuits Over McAuliffe Signatures
On Monday, Roy Perry-Bey sent a letter to the Department of Justice and Attorney General Merrick Garland asking for an emergency investigation into McAuliffe’s campaign, alleging a broad conspiracy of state officials to make sure that McAuliffe was at the top of the Democratic primary ballot, blocking the three African American candidates Jennifer Carol Foy, Senator Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond), and Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax. A similar letter was also sent to Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Collette McEachin.
“A full-scale investigation may be necessary to review the evidence and decide whether to prosecute,” Perry-Bey wrote.
Perry-Bey is one of the plaintiffs who sued, alleging that McAuliffe was violating Virginia law by running for a second term and also highlighting the lack of signature; a judge declined to issue an emergency injunction at that time, The Washington Post reported. The Virginia GOP is also suing.
Attorney Amina Matheny announced that Perry-Bey and other plaintiffs are scheduled to speak in front of the Virginia Department of Elections on Wednesday “to talk about systemic racism, violation of the law and cover up in the Virginia statewide elections. Subpoenas to be issued this week.”
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
