Republican Party of Virginia chairman Rich Anderson has been tapped by President Donald Trump to serve as the assistant secretary of the Air Force, and the party could select his successor next month.
RPV executive director Ken Nunnenkamp said the central committee members of the party could vote as early as April 12, when their next meeting is scheduled. Meanwhile, Anderson awaits the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee’s confirmation hearing and U.S. Senate vote to officialize his federal role. With Republicans dominating Congress, he likely will be confirmed.
So far, only longtime state Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, has announced his intention to chair the party. His announcement also comes with endorsements from Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares. With Youngkin’s term coming to a close, Earle-Sears is running for governor and Miyares is seeking another term as the state’s top lawyer.
If chosen, Peake said he would “jump in immediately” to support statewide and House of Delegates candidates that are on the ballot this year.
“I’ve been in politics for a pretty good while now,” Peake said in a Wednesday call with The Mercury. “I’m from a ruby red district, but I try to get along with all parts of the Republican Party.”
Peake shared that his inspiration to seek the RPV chair rolestems from his experience in the legislature during the Democratic trifecta of 2020 and 2021, when Democrats had majorities in both the House and Senate as well as a governor from their party.
Those majorities ushered in a series of law changes, many of which opposed Republican or conservative ethos. As RPV chair Peake hopes to bolster the statewide ticket and help Republicans regain control of the House of Delegates.
The chamber is crucial to both parties this year. For Republicans, it’s a counterweight to the Democrat-controlled Senate, which is not up for election until 2026.
For Democrats, retaining the House is paramount to continue passage of constitutional amendments that would enshrine reproductive rights, voting rights and same-sex marriage rights into the state’s constitution.
While the efforts to restore voting rights to people who have completed prison sentences for felony convictions and to remove a same-sex marriage prohibition from the constitution advanced with bipartisan support, the reproductive rights measure passed because of the Democratic majority. Those bills have to pass again before appearing on statewide ballots for final approval or rejection.
The party that holds the governor’s office can signal which legislative efforts are most likely to be signed into law. While the Senate is not up for grabs this year, Peake stressed his passion to help Republicans gain grounds in other areas.
His bid to chair the party comes as the Democratic Party of Virginia will soon select a new chair following current chair Susan Swecker’s announcement that she’s stepping down. DPVA will choose among three contenders later this month that include Zack Pruckowski, a member of DPVA’s steering committee, activist and DPVA organizer Josh Stanfield and Sen. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico.
Like Bagby, if Peake were to chair his party, he does not plan to step away from his role as a state senator.
An often vocal member of the chamber, Peake said that he’d apply his outgoing nature to his role as RPV chair.
“I think that’s part of being chairman,” he said. “You’ve got to get out there and talk to people and get them motivated.”
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www.youtube.com – WTVR CBS 6 – 2025-06-14 11:47:32
SUMMARY: A flood watch remains in effect through tonight for much of the area, with potential for torrential downpours, especially north and west of Richmond. Storms today may produce rainfall rates up to 2–3 inches per hour and gusts near 40 mph. Scattered storms are likely mid-to-late afternoon and into the evening. Sunday, Father’s Day, will be muggy with highs near 80 in Richmond, cooler to the north and east. A marginal risk of strong storms exists south of I-64. Rain chances ease midweek as temps rise to the 90s. A front Thursday brings brief relief before heat returns next weekend.
We’re tracking more scattered storms for Saturday. Showers and storms will increase from mid-afternoon into the evening. Due to the muggy air, torrential downpours will occur, and localized flooding is possible. Some spots could pick up multiple inches of rainfall. A few storms could have some gusts in excess of 40 mph.
www.youtube.com – 13News Now – 2025-06-13 19:23:36
SUMMARY: Several area high schools competed in state semifinals across baseball, softball, and soccer. In Class 5 baseball, Cox edged Independence 2-1 with MJ Lemke closing the game, advancing to face Ocean Lakes in an all Beach District final. In softball, Great Bridge fell 1-0 to Mills Godwin despite strong pitching by Bailey Blevin. Gloucester, York, and Western Branch advanced to the finals. In boys’ Class 5 soccer, Hickory lost 2-0 to Lightridge, while Kellam beat Riverside to reach the finals. Northampton Boys and Kellam Girls won, but West Point Boys and Lafayette Girls were eliminated from title contention.
Several area high schools punched their ticket to the championship game that included the Cox Falcons baseball team.
www.thecentersquare.com – By Morgan Sweeney | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-06-13 18:44:00
Washington, D.C., is preparing for a military parade on Flag Day and President Trump’s birthday, costing $25-$45 million. In response, the ‘No Kings’ Day of Defiance movement, backed by over 100 organizations, is organizing protests in more than 2,000 U.S. cities, including dozens near D.C., opposing Trump’s “authoritarian overreach” and defending democracy. While no protests are planned in D.C. itself, heightened security has been enforced, with the parade designated a National Special Security Event. President Trump warned that protests in the capital would face strong force. No Kings emphasizes nonviolence, aiming to de-escalate conflicts. The main event will be held in Philadelphia.
(The Center Square) – As Washington, D.C., gears up for an historic military parade coinciding with Flag Day and President Donald Trump’s birthday, with projected costs between $25 million and $45 million, thecapitalregion is also mobilizing a protest response.
There are dozens of locations in Northern Virginia and Maryland within an hour’s drive of Washington where protesters can gather as part of the official nationwide ‘No Kings’ Day of Defiance.
No Kings is a movement supported by more than 100 partner organizations opposing Trump’s “authoritarian overreach” and gathering in “[defense] of democracy.”
There are over 2,000 cities and towns hosting No Kings events Saturday, where in some cases local or state leaders will speak, and “millions” that have RSVP’d, according to event communications.
Some events in thecapital regionwere at capacity as of Friday evening. One event in Kingstowne, Va., was expecting 250 people, according to an email from an organizer.
The group is not holding a protest in the district itself, however.
“Real power isn’t staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else,” its website reads. “Instead of allowing this birthday parade to be the center of gravity, we will make action everywhere else the story of America that day.”
However, the district is also in a state of heightened security, as the parade has been designated a National Special Security Event by the Department of Homeland Security. Extra security measures were installed throughout the week leading up to the event and some will be in place through the days immediately following the event, as well. The president also told reporters that any protests in D.C. during the parade would be met with “very big force.”
No Kings says it is committed to nonviolence.
“A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events,” its website says.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Centrist
This article presents information on both the planned military parade and the associated protests without adopting an overt ideological stance. It accurately reports the logistical and security aspects of the parade and describes the protest movement’s messaging and scale. While the article references phrases like “authoritarian overreach” and “defense of democracy,” these are clearly attributed to the protest organizers rather than the article itself. The tone remains factual and avoids emotionally charged or opinionated language. The article provides balanced coverage of actions from both the Trump administration and its critics, maintaining journalistic neutrality throughout.
