Abigail Spanberger will spell the end of gun rights for Virginians
Abigail Spanberger, former Virginia Rep. and gubernatorial nominee (D), has made it clear what she thinks about gun control. It's not good news for gun owners.
Abigail Spanberger will spell the end of gun rights for Virginians
Abigail Spanberger, former Virginia Rep. and gubernatorial nominee (D), has made it clear what she thinks about gun control. It's not good news for gun owners.
Fairfax Public Schools Michelle Reid Superintendent endorses biased posters in high school
Michelle Reid, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools on Friday, March 21st, gave her opinion about a controversial set of politically-oriented posters which had been recently displayed in the halls of West Springfield High School.
West Springfield Highschool sees Radical teachers push abortion, transgender agenda with shocking ‘ABC Display’
The alphabet is not a common sight in America's high schools. Perhaps with plummeting standardized test scores and a substantial increase in English-as-a-second-language students in sanctuary districts, high school educators feel the need to review kindergarten basics.
Fairfax Democrats are pushing a new tax that voters have already rejected TWICE. Your...
Fairfax County is mulling the idea of implementing a meal tax in the face of a budget deficit for the next year that will be nearly $300 million.
It’s time to hold Democrat Delegate Holly Seibold accountable
The Democratic party's implosion on the national stage in recent years has been well-documented--extreme positions, tone-deaf policies, and a refusal to engage with dissenting...
Atoosa Reaser Works to Strip Away Early Voting Control from Electoral Board
A new bill in the Virginia House of Delegates, HB2056, introduced by Delegate Atoosa Reaser (D-27), is stirring controversy by proposing to shift the authority for setting early voting schedules at satellite locations from local Electoral Boards to City Councils and Boards of Supervisors.
The Evolution of DOGE: From Obama’s Creation to Suhas Subramanyam’s Opposition
The Department of Government Efficiency, commonly referred to as DOGE, has a storied history that began under President Barack Obama as an initiative to enhance government operations.
April Chandler’s Daughter Attacks Christians and Trump Voters – School Leaders Silent
The Potomac Falls High School newspaper, which is promoted on the school's website, contains articles that attack Christians, Trump supporters, and Israel.
D.C. is home to 10,000 spies. Democrats Want Them To Vote
Democrats and the D.C. Board of Elections are pushing to allow noncitizens — including potential foreign spies — to vote in local elections.
In Virginia, you can register to vote on election day without ID. Are Non-Citizens...
In some states, you don't need a photo ID in order to vote. Some states have election laws that are written by Idi Amin. Seven states allow voters to register on Election Day and cast their ballots that day without requiring photo identification.
Is Anne Donohue, a Loudoun County school board member breaking federal law?
Anne Donohue was elected as an at-large school board member in northern Virginia last year, while working for the Justice Department under the Biden-Harris Administration. She received an endorsement by the Democrat Party, which could be a violation of a federal law that prohibits federal employees from being partisan candidates.
Danika Roem’s “Free School Meals” Campaign is Bad for Students and Creates Food Deserts
After failing to pass legislation last year that would have made breakfast and lunch free for all public school students regardless of income (at a staggering cost of $201.5 million),
Loudoun School Board’s April Chandler Backs Raises, Unions, and Controversial Bathroom Policy
April Chandler, a Democratic-endorsed member of the Loudoun County School Board, has emerged as a key figure in recent votes that have stirred both support and backlash in Virginia’s third-largest school district.
Marty Martinez’s Retail Theft Repeal Bill Stalls in Virginia House, Sent to Crime Commission
A bold attempt by Delegate Fernando “Marty” Martinez (D-Leesburg) to repeal Virginia’s stringent organized retail theft law met an abrupt halt during the 2025 legislative session, as the House of Delegates opted to punt the issue to the Virginia State Crime Commission for further study.
Congressional Democrats including Suhas Subramanyam Unanimously Vote Against Protection of Women and Girls in...
n a highly contentious Senate vote earlier this week, all present Congressional Democrats stood united in opposition to the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam Stays Seated During Trump’s Congressional Address, Sparking Debate
During President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress last night, March 4, 2025, freshman Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) notably remained seated throughout key moments of the speech, drawing attention and criticism from some quarters.
How Much $$$ Will FCPS Spend to Defend Its Discrimination Against Girls?
Last week, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and four other Virginia school systems to determine whether their transgender policies violate Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 — the federal law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs receiving federal financial assistance.
14 Bad Election Bills in Virginia that Require Veto
Last year we successfully lobbied the Governor to veto 14 bad election integrity-related bills. I am writing to ask that you help defeat this year’s crop of bad bills from the Legislature.
Potomac Politics Comes to the James River
The Democratic State Senate last week rejected nine of Governor Youngkin's appointments to key governing boards in the state.
State Senator Jennifer Foy Caught Making Demands of Virginia Military Institute
Teddy Gottwald, a board member, revealed an alarming claim during the February 2025 Board of Visitors meeting: A state senator had allegedly threatened to withhold funding from BOV members if they did not approve Wins' extension.
Prince William County School Board pledges to protect transgender students amid federal investigation
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights informed Prince William County Schools on February 12 that it had opened an investigation into the allegations made by conservative America First Legal Foundation.
Fairfax County School Board Requests 7.9% Budget Increase for 2025
Fairfax County School Board held a hearing to discuss a proposed budget of $4 billion for the next school year. Community members expressed strong opinions on both sides.
Juli Briskman Compares Deportation of Violent Criminals to the Holocaust as Loudoun Supervisor
In an outrageous, offensive and tone-deaf post, Juli Briskman, Loudoun County Supervisor has equated the removal of violent, crime committing illegal aliens to the atrocities perpetrated on law abiding Jewish citizens during Kristallnacht (1938) in Nazi Germany and the deportation of Jews from Nazi occupied countries to death camps.
Steve Descano the Democrat in Fairfax proves he doesn’t care about women’s safety
Fairfax County's top prosecutor chooses predators over protection once again.
7 men, including a Fairfax County teacher, were arrested in an online predator operation
Men between the ages of 24 and 50 were caught sending inappropriate messages via social media to undercover agents pretending to be minors.
Virginia High Schools Will Protect Female Athletes Against Radical Virginia Democrats
Virginia High School League, which initially voiced its opposition to President Trump by saying that boys would be allowed to participate in girls' sports but then changed their tune.
Fairfax County Public School students will be automatically enrolled Single Sex Education classes
When transgender activists urged the Fairfax County Board of Education to eliminate gender-separated sex classes for girls and boys in 2022-23, 84% voted against the idea.
Democrats aim to confuse Virginia voters with a ranked-choice voting system
Virginia Senate Democrats approved a bill, SB 1009 to extend ranked-choice (RCV) voting in local elections.
Uncut ’60 Minutes Kamala’ Interview Proves Once Again That The Democrat Campaign 2024 Was...
It’s been three months since the election, and there are still so many unanswered questions as to what exactly happened in the very obvious partnership that took place between the dying national news media and the Kamala Harris campaign.
Taxpayers spent over $1 billion in 2024 to facilitate the migration pipeline via religious...
For years, loads of cash, courtesy of U.S. taxpayers, have bolstered migrant resettlement services, often administered by faith-based nonprofits.
11 Insane Things Your Tax Dollars Paid For Thanks To USAID
Democrats on Capitol Hill suffered a meltdown Monday after President Donald Trump moved to rein in the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Virginia Dominion’s Wind Farm price jumps $900M coming to $10 Billion Dollars
Dominion Energy Virginia announced a $900-million increase in capital costs for its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project, bringing the total projected to $10.7 billion. The extra expense will be incurred for transmission interconnections required to allow power to flow within the PJM region electricity market.
Fairfax County Decision To Purchase Homeless Shelter Property Raises Concerns
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 9-1 in August to purchase a former hotel as a possible homeless shelter, despite Springfield district supervisor Pat Herrity's concern about the fiscal implications of the decision and the lack of input from the public.
Selfish LCPS Pursuing Politically Driven School Renaming Instead of Academic Excellence and Better Facilities
In 2020, Loudoun County Public School Board contracted with a private firm to review the names of all LCPS schools and mascots for political correctness.
Virginia Democrats win another step towards killing babies until birth
In an aggressive step towards enshrining unlimited abortion in Virginia, the Commonwealth’s Democrat-majority Senate late last month advanced a ballot measure that would codify abortion until birth in the state’s constitution.
If Senate Dems Reject Standard Deduction, Taxes Will Increase by $633
Virginia's standard deduction has increased under both Republican and Democratic governors in the last few years. It went from $6,000 per couple for 2018 to $17,000 for 2019. This allows taxpayers to save $633 a year.
Pricetag of “equity” in Fairfax County Schools: $6.4 million
Mark Spooner, a 79-year-old retired attorney in Fairfax County, unearthed startling documents through a public records request, detailing the price tag for salaries of 52 employees in the "Chief Equity Office" of Fairfax County Public Schools: $6.4 million, or enough to pay about 125 new teachers.
Only Glenn Youngkin’s Veto Pen Separates Virginians & Democrat extremists
Democrats in Virginia's General Assembly are aware that their extreme bills have no chance of escaping the Republican Governor. Glenn Youngkin has the veto pen. But Democrats insist on introducing as many extreme left-wing bills as possible in the 2025 session.
The Real Cost of the RPS Mandate? $609 Million, Money for Nothing
By Steve Haner
In a recent debate at the Virginia General Assembly over the growing consumer cost of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, a senior...
The Cost of DEI in Fairfax County Public Schools
The Chief Equity Office is headed by a Chief Equity Officer (salary: $258,641). She directly supervises an Executive Director for Equity & Student Relations ($191,634), a Chief Administrative Hearings Officer ($189,569), and a Thomas Jefferson High School Admissions Director ($122,717).
Glenn Youngkin Removes Gloves and Puts On Brass Knuckles
Today, Governor Glenn Youngkin, who is not known for political pugilism retaliated against Senate Democrats for rejecting six of his nominees to the board of George Mason University and the Virginia Military Institute, as well as the state School Board.
Glenn Youngkin calls Clean Energy Laws “a Quagmire” as Challenges and Consumer Costs become...
He said that the Virginia Clean Economy Act passed in 2020 is simply not working.
The 37 brutal murderers Joe Biden let off death row in Virginia and Other...
Two days before Christmas, in the waning days of his presidency, Joe Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 out of 40 federal prisoners to a life sentence.
President Biden’s Clemency for the Killers of a Virginia Police Officer
RICHMOND, VA - Governor Glenn Youngkin today released the following statement after President Joe Biden announced the clemency of violent criminals Ferrone Claiborne and Terence...
Virginia Democrats Vote to Eliminate Religious Freedom to Homeschool
Virginia has one of the strongest religious freedom-to-educate laws in the nation, but Democrat Sen. Stella Pekarsky wants that to change.
Democrats in Virginia Senate Subcommittee that oversees the Tysons Casino Bill has cleared its...
The Virginia Senate Gaming Subcommittee approved legislation that will pave the road for a new casino in Tysons.
Data Centers and Political Polarization
According to the Fauquier Times, Council is embroiled in litigation from a citizen lawsuit to block the Amazon project as well as a FOIA request for thousands of emails and documents. According to the Fauquier Times, the council is embroiled in litigation due to a citizen suit to block the Amazon Project as well as FOIA requests to release thousands emails and documents.
Joe Biden Pardons a Killer of a Virginia Police Officer
Governor Glenn Youngkin today released the following statement after President Joe Biden announced the clemency of violent criminals Ferrone Claiborne and Terence Richardson, two men who admitted to being responsible for the brutal killing of Officer Allen Gibson, a Sussex County police officer.
Does Congressman Subramanyam Hate His Daughters?
On January 14, Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), in one of his first acts as the new Congressman for VA-10, voted against protecting women and...
Virginia Democrats move to put unpopular Abortion until birth Amendment on the ballot
Virginia Democrats, inspired by the wave of misleading abortion-until birth ballot measures in other red states sparked the House of Delegates session 2025 in Virginia by voting for an amendment to enshrine the right to abortion up until birth in state constitution.
Virginia Democrat Stella Pekarsky aims to ban homeschooling unless parents prove it’s for religious...
This month, Virginia State Sen. Stella Pekarsky, D-Fairfax, introduced a bill to the Virginia Senate to restrict families’ access to homeschool options.
Suhas Subramanyam Votes NOT to protect Women and Girls in Sports, Allow Boys to...
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed Representative Greg Steube’s (R-Fla.) bill, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, by a bipartisan vote of 218-206-1.
Tim Kaine can’t stop talking about Sex
Virginia Democrat Senator Tim Kaine focused his time on Hegseth’s sexlife. Kaine focused his attention on Hegseth's sexual relationship in 2017.
Fairfax County Legislators’ Talk Casino in Tysons Corner
Fairfax County’s delegation to Virginia General Assembly hosted a public hearing on Saturday, January 4, which lasted 3.5 hours. The focus was on a...
Rent Control Coming to Virginia, Property Owners Lookout
Rent increases to keep pace with inflation are not considered "rent gouging" by most people, even if the rent increase is more than 3%....
Abortion (killing babies) up to 40 Weeks Coming to Virginia thanks to Democrats
Today, the Virginia House of Delegates voted 51 to 48 to advance HJ1, the unlimited abortion amendment. This devastating decision sets Virginia on a path toward the most extreme abortion policy in the United States—and perhaps the world.
California is not the Commonwealth, Upcoming Democrat Legislation for 2025
Virginia Democrats want to transform Virginia into California. Democrats have filed radical California-style bills in the 2025 session of the legislature, which began on January 8, . Democrats want to ban gas-powered vehicles, prohibit gun carrying in public spaces, fund universal preschools with taxpayer money, ban plastic bags and have abortion without restrictions enshrined into the Constitution.
158 Democrats won’t deport Illegal Immigrants who raped or committed a sex crime
On January 4th 2024, the House of Representatives had a vote to deport any illegal immigrant who committed a crime against women. A majority of democrats decided that illegal immigrant lives are more important than women. Including 4 representatives from Virginia!
Democrats demand massive tax hike on Virginians
Virginia Democrats are wasting no time proposing a huge tax increase on Virginians by slapping a 5 percent tax on virtually every service in the commonwealth
National Education Association gives 99% of its political funding to Democrats
Financial records show that public school teachers and other professionals in education who are more concerned with their profession than politics get a poor return from their union dues.
Democrats of Virginia take $1.5M in Political Contributions by Casino Supporters
Since February 1, the Reston developer has spent $271,128 more on lobbying and political contributions. Comstock has spent a total of $1.519.121 so far, according to the financial reports filed with the state.
Fairfax County Unveils COVID Memorial Design at High Taxpayer Costs
Fairfax County, located just west of Washington, D.C., unveiled the latest concept of its "COVID Memorial" which honors those who have died from respiratory flu, as well as the medical professionals who treated them.
$424,000 Salary, FCPS Superintendent Secures Early, 4-year Contract Extension
Though her existing contract was set to run through June 2026, the Fairfax County School Board voted yesterday (Thursday) to give Reid a new four-year contract that could bring her annual salary close to a half-million dollars by its conclusion.
Democrats End Decades of Tradition Denying Elections to Certify Trump’s Electoral College
A joint session of Congress officially certified President-elect Donald Trump’s election win on Jan. 6, and for the first time since 1988, no Democrat challenged the legitimacy of a Republican being elected president.
Will teachers cost Virginia Democrats in the 2025 Governor’s Race, A lesson from New...
Teachers in New Jersey who disagree with the politics of their union are likely to revolt during the months before the 2025 state gubernatorial election.
Top 10 reasons Democrats lost in 2024
In 2024, it became clear that the mainstream media were just an extension to the Democrat Party.
Fairfax County Puts Criminals First
America is a nation of immigrants predicated upon the rule of law. As a first-generation American and attorney general for the Commonwealth of Virginia, I am grateful and mindful of both on a daily basis.
America First Legal Launches Investigation to Examine Connection Between Loudoun County School Board, Former...
In 2020, parents in Loudoun County began speaking out against a variety of issues involving their public schools, including school closures, Critical Race Theory (CRT), transgender bathroom and locker room policies, and the politicization of the Loudoun County School Board as it related to those issues.
Did money-laundering help Democrats win Virginia in 2024
These new revelations are part of an ongoing inquiry that was launched by Virginia Attorney-General Jason Miyares in October, along with a alliance consisting of attorneys generals over ActBlue's purported money-laundering scheme.
Democrat Controlled Fairfax County meal tax is still on the menu for consideration in...
One top official claims that even if a funding plan is implemented, it will not solve the county's financial problems. There is a gap of $292.7 millions between the expected revenues and expenditures, which must be closed in the next year.
Fairfax Democrats Struggle with Shifting Political Scene After Trump’s Win
He said, "I am worried about the future of our region under a Trump administration. I believe it is important that we stick together in times like these."
Fairfax Parents call out a ‘public charade’ and ‘dereliction of duty’ when Superintendent says,...
The typical high school gridiron rivalry was replaced by a dramatic showdown on a cold Thursday night at Luther Jackson Middle School. This time, however, parents, students, and coaches from competing schools came together to demand accountability, transparency, and an apology from Fairfax County Public Schools superintendent Michelle Reid
STOP Massive Park Fee increases in Fairfax County!
Increase in Recreation Center Fees for Families: 32%
Camping, pavilions and picnic areas: an increase of 30%+
Golf Fees: Increase of up to 20%
Increase in Golf and Room Rentals: 25% (effective 2025).
Fairfax County Gov Buys a Hotel for $2.5 Million OVER its Appraised Value
With a difficult FY 2026 budget forecast on the horizon, the Board voted 9 to 1 to purchase a former hotel property as a potential shelter for 20 percent ($2.5M) over its appraised value and 300 percent ($9.5M) over its assessed value.
Fairfax County Projects A Budget Disaster
Fairfax County’s budget forecast for FY2026 shows a shortfall of $292.7 millions due to falling office property values and rising employee compensation.
Jason Miyares, Virginia AG Calls On Fairfax County CA Steve Descano To Resign After...
This comes after Herndon police said 31-year-old Denis Humberto Navarette Romero raped a woman on the popular W&OD trail in Herndon.
Loudoun County School Board member serves as election official, purportedly violating state law
Democratic School Board member Anne Donohue (At-Large) has allegedly broken a state law when she served as an election official on Nov. 5 at Independence High School in Ashburn.
36 Virginia’s Sanctuary Cities and Counties Top the Charts: Study
The Center for Immigration Studies, an immigration policy think tank, released on Thursday its updated map of American refuge locations. It revealed a surge of localities in Virginia adopting sanctuary status.
Virginia Planned Parenthood Caught Selling ‘Viable’ Fetuses To University Of California San Diego
Planned Parenthood has been providing “viable nonanomalous” babies killed in “elective abortions” to the University of California San Diego (UCSD) for experimentation, according to a new report.
A Democrat X-Rated Porn Book Removed From Fairfax County, Virginia Schools
After the book was removed quietly from the school library, a Virginia mother who spoke out publicly against the inclusion in Fairfax County Public Schools of a "adult-themed", LGBTQ graphic novel has declared "victory".
Kannan Srinivasan, Democrat Faces Criticism for Strategic Moves to Senate District 32
Kannan Srinivasan, a Democratic candidate for Senate District 32, has drawn sharp criticism for his pattern of relocating to position himself for political office. Within the last year, Srinivasan has made two residential moves to align himself with districts where he believes he has the best chance of winning—a strategy opponents argue raises questions about his commitment to representing the interests of local constituents.
School Choice Programs that Democrats HATE Have SAVED Taxpayers up to $45 Billion
Democrat lawmakers employ fear tactics claiming school choice will bankrupt their states. It’s a massive lie, and they know it. As a recent Wall Street Journal report notes, school choice programs provide enormous savings for a state’s budget — savings to the tune of millions of dollars each year.
Fairfax County School Board Sold China A Handbook On ‘How To Clone’ America’s Top...
“They will pay $1M in exchange for help in getting their schools up and running in China”
Recent Crimes Again Raise Concerns About Fairfax County’s Sanctuary Policy
A Fairfax County policy called “the Trust Policy” may be putting county citizens at risk as it protects those in the country unlawfully.
Democrat Virginia House Panel Advances Constitutional Amendment On the Killing of Babies
Under current Virginia law, third-trimester abortions require approval from three doctors. The new amendment would reduce this requirement to just one doctor when a late-term abortion is deemed necessary to protect the life of the pregnant individual, or their physical or mental health, or when a physician determines the fetus is not viable.
Is “We The People” an Illegal Front for the NEA to Influence School Board...
Sen. Tim Kaine’s wife, Anne Holton, admits the purpose of her “We The People” tax-exempt non-partisan organization is to help get like-minded candidates elected. Is that unlawful?
Democrats pushing Tysons Casino
The Tysons casino referendum bill that was held over to the 2025 session of the Virginia General Assembly will die on Monday, but that doesn’t mean the bill in some form or other won’t reappear in January.
Democrats Destroyed Thomas Jefferson Highschool
Last month, Ann Bonitatibus announced that she was resigning from her position as principal of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ), a magnet school located in Fairfax County, Virginia, the state’s largest school district.
NBC Forced to Give Trump Airtime after Violating FCC Rules with Kamala Harris SNL...
Tim Kaine, a failed vice-presidential candidate and Virginia Democrat Senator, was also given time by SNL. SNL had to give Hung Cao equal time as well, because of the Equal Time clause. Cao, in a Statement posted on X, said he does not agree with the calls to sue NBC over alleged Equal Time violations.
Why The Biden-Harris Administration’s Attempt To Keep Noncitizens On Virginia’s Voter Rolls Was Legally...
The Biden-Harris administration and Democrat litigators appear to be jointly executing a lawfare assault against the integrity of our elections. In the face of this onslaught, will Americans’ voting rights be sustained?
What to Look for in a School Board Candidate who claims to be a...
You can transform your school by paying attention to the candidates running for local school boards and asking them about their real views.
Subramanyam Breaks with Democratic Party to Support Lavish Travel on the Taxpayer’s Dime
Loudoun County, Virginia, residents will long remember “Ghana-gate,” the widely-reported, lavish, $60,000 junket enjoyed by Democrats on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in...
Subramanyam Tips the Scales of Injustice to Protect Illegal Immigrants Over the Safety of...
Earlier this year, Democrats introduced to the Virginia General Assembly House Bill 972. This legislation prohibited courts from asking defendants their immigration status during...
Republican Legislators Issue Subpoenas for Alleged ActBlue Interference in Elections
U.S. intelligence officials appear “clueless” about an alleged campaign money-laundering scheme on behalf of Democrat candidates now the subject of several lawsuits and soon lawmaker subpoenas, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson
Biden Judge Orders Virginia To Put More Than 1,500 ‘Self-Identified’ Noncitizens Back On The...
On Friday, a Democrat-appointed federal judge ordered Virginia to put more than 1,500 allegedly “self-identified” noncitizens back on the state’s voter rolls ahead of the November contest.
DEMOCRATS BELIEVE BOYS IN GIRLS’ SPORTS IS “PART OF PROTECTING GIRLS SPORTS”
In the 2023 Virginia legislative session, no less than 23 Republican legislators sponsored HB1387, a bill which prohibited biological males from participating in public...
Winsome Sears blasts Obama for his’ shaming lecture’ on Harris’ enthusiasm: “How dare You”
Virginia Republican Lieutenant Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears blasted former President Barack Obama for “shaming” black men into voting for Vice President Kamala Harris in November.
The Biden-Harris DOJ’s move to put 6,000 noncitizens back on the voter rolls attacks...
In 2006, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine signed a bipartisan bill requiring the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to provide a list of noncitizens’ names to the state’s Board of Elections for removal from the voter rolls.
Is Suhas Subramanyam Hindutva’s Latest Bid for US Congress?
American sympathizers of India’s Hindu nationalist — Hindutva — movement have successfully romanced more than a few candidates for U.S. Congress, but it appears their latest bets may be placed on Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia.
Herndon Town Council members face ethics violation allegations
Two Herndon Town Council members face allegations of ethics violations related to their involvement in a Juneteenth celebration and concerns over partisan influence in local elections.