Amendment
On Nov. 4, Virginia voters will have the opportunity to elect candidates who will support a constitutional amendment for reproductive freedom. This amendment would guarantee every woman’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including the “right to make and effectuate one’s own decisions about all matters related to one’s pregnancy.”
This November’s vote is one step in a two-year process to enshrine the amendment in the state constitution. In early 2025, the Virginia House of Delegates and state Senate passed a resolution in favor of the amendment. Next, the resolution will advance to a final vote in the General Assembly in January. Then, voters will have an opportunity to approve the amendment in the November 2026 election.
More than 6 out of 10 Virginia voters support a woman’s right to control her own reproduction. If you are among them, I urge you to vote for the Democratic nominee for governor and former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, and for Democratic candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates, who are committed to ensuring reproductive freedom for women.
With the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court in 2022, a woman’s right to control her own body is no longer secure. Please vote in the Nov. 4 election for Democratic candidates who support the constitutional amendment for reproductive freedom and a woman’s right to choose.
Donna Lloyd-Jones, Williamsburg
Governor’s race
The gubernatorial debate showed what Virginia will get if Democratic nominee for governor and former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger is elected. When she was confronted with a situation or question that she didn’t anticipate, she froze like a deer in the headlights or went former Vice President Kamala Harris on us with a word salad and no substance.
I can’t imagine Spanberger in charge of our state. Her influencers are former Virginia Govs. Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam.
Do we want Virginia to be known as the state that promotes abortion and boys sharing women’s sports and bathrooms? Or one that continues on the path of dignity and prosperity with current Gov. Glenn Youngkin?
Dick Jones, Virginia Beach
Hold your nose
Violent rhetoric has absolutely no place in political discourse and is rightly condemned by all.
Three years ago, Democratic attorney general candidate and former Del. Jay Jones sent some private texts that were abhorrent. They were released to the press as an “October surprise” after his name was on the ballot and early voting had already begun. Jones accepted full responsibility and has sincerely apologized.
The Atlantic and U.S. News & World Report independently listed up to 40 times that President Donald Trump publicly threatened violence. Republicans are apparently OK with that.
Why are Republicans so desperate to make the Jones texts the central focus of their political campaign? It’s all they got. Separate polls by Christopher Newport University and the Washington Post revealed that the top two issues for Virginia voters are the struggling economy (including the cost of living, jobs and housing) and opposing President Donald Trump’s threats to democracy. Republicans are on the losing side of both those issues.
Incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares has already demonstrated his abject submission to Trump.
If elected attorney general, Jones will implement his plans to reduce violent crime, take illegal guns off the streets and combat fentanyl. Unlike Miyares, Jones will legally defend Virginia’s constitutional sovereignty from Trump’s authoritarian assault on federal employees, reproductive freedom, environmental protection, voting rights and the academic freedom of universities.
The stakes are much higher than a few ugly text messages. “Hold your nose” (if you must) and vote for Jones.
David Campbell, Virginia Beach
Election letters
We will accept letters related to the election through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, and publish them, space permitting, through Friday, Oct. 31.
