iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Good to see one jurisdiction using Leader Charniele Herring's law we passed 2 years ago placing restrictions on the sharing of Flock camera data and consequences for people who abuse it

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

When is America going to learn that all the problems with the death penalty aren't worth it anymore?

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Good to see Governor Abigail Spanberger's Dept of Historic Resources standing up to this arch abomination on our border that would ruin the Monumental core and traffic!

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

This week in history, Barack Obama wore a tan suit and the power of the American Presidency was forever changed for the worse..... how I miss those days

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

A smart person once told me when you see a republican coming hurry up and grab your wallet because they're about to borrow some money

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Thank you to the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter for the shout out in this month's newsletter!

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Good to see Governor Spanberger on the highway visiting Neighborhood Health on Beacon Hill which serves 40,000 patients in our community.

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

This is a district Spanberger won by almost 16 points, so...bye bye Danny Diggs, hope you enjoyed your single term in office! LOL bluevirginia.us/2026/08/thur...

"Dr. Mark Downey Launches State Senate Campaign

In a key flip district, a growing number of local leaders are showing early support for Dr. Mark Downey to run for SD 24

York County, VA — Mark Downey, M.D., announced his campaign for the Virginia State Senate in SD 24. This district represents a prime opportunity for Democrats to expand the Senate majority. While Democrats lost by 1% in 2023, Governor Spanberger won the district overwhelmingly by 14 points.

As the only physician in the General Assembly, Dr. Downey is running to bring a physician's perspective to the Senate.

"As a doctor, I look into the eyes of parents doing everything they can to do right by their children but are being squeezed by the rising costs of health care, housing, child care, and other everyday necessities," said Dr. Downey. "I'm running for the Senate because our children and families need a Senator who not only understands the struggles they face but can turn those problems into practical legislation and results."

Dr. Downey is proud to have the support of local leaders including Delegate Jessica Anderson (HD-71), Delegate Virgil Thornton (HD-86), Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan, Chair of the James City County Board of Supervisors Jim McGlennon, and James City County Supervisor Jim Icenhour.

"I'm proud to announce my support for Delegate Downey, who has proven time and again that he will show up for his community; As a pediatrician, as a volunteer, as an advocate, and as someone who has put his name on the ballot to fight for a better Commonwealth. Mark is a foundational part of the district he is looking to represent, and will be a sound voice in the State Senate," said Delegate Jessica Anderson.

"As Sheriff, public safety is my top priority. As a freshman Delegate, Mark passed legislation to require the safe storage of firearms in homes where children or prohibited persons are present. Common-sense measures like this keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and violent cri…

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Honored to be among the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter 2026 Legislative Leader Award Winners ralong with Schuyler VanValkenburg for Virginia and Kannan for Virginia!

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Great question by VA Senate Majority Leader @ssurovell.bsky.social! Here's another question: why should we trust ANYTHING Trump wants to do on ANYTHING, and not just assume it will be a corrupt clusterf*** like everything else he touches? HELL NO. bluevirginia.us/2026/08/satu...

"Why should we build the world's largest parking garage in the world on an airport we just invested $6B to connect to Metro?" - VA Sen. Scott Surovell

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Sean Sublette @subletteweather.com · 16/07/2026

My colleagues and I in the Virginia Sierra Club were especially happy with the Senator leading on Senate Bill 250 (aka balcony solar) — opening the door to small portable solar for Virginians who have long been priced out of the rooftop solar market. Governor Spanberger signed the bill in April.

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

I was honored to receive my third Legislative Leadership Award from the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter today for the work we did on balcony solar, shared solar, and creating a new integrated resource plan process for public utilities!

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

"Proud that my partner Jason Zellman helped my kids' Latin teacher and an FCPS volunteer obtain justice against a man and his organization that blatantly defamed them on social media because of the actions to help LGBT students." - @ssurovell.bsky.social bluevirginia.us/2026/06/tues...

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Here's a hint - 37 times. He's a master negotiator...

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

“'I guess publishing an optimistic revenue reforecast is one way to deal with money vetoed out of our budget,' [Senate Majority Leader] @ssurovell.bsky.social said....'it’s extremely risky to rely upon nonwithholding revenue generated by continued stock market gains'" bluevirginia.us/2026/06/gov-...

From this morning's RTD ( https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_09cb7d55-bfdd-4a72-998f-1f4c0169025b.html#tracking-source=home-the-latest ):

Asked about the forecast and the data center exemption she's advocated for, Lucas texted “&$!#%”. “The freaking forecast doesn’t have one thing to do with data centers paying their fair share of taxes,” she added a few minutes later. “We have much better ways to spend state funding than giving it away to the largest corporations in the world,” Lucas wrote.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, who has complained that Spanberger wanted to amend and veto bills without consulting with legislators, as governors have in the past, said he didn’t get any heads up about the new forecast. Among the bills Spanberger vetoed were measures to legalize and tax marijuana sales and skill games. “I guess publishing an optimistic revenue reforecast is one way to deal with money vetoed out of our budget,” Surovell said.
“But it’s extremely risky to rely upon nonwithholding revenue generated by continued stock market gains when price-earning ratios are at, or higher, than the same levels they were before the 1999 and 2005 technology bubble stock market crashes,” he said, referring to a key financial measure of whether share prices are correctly valued or too high.

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Getting turned down by Milli Vanilli for your big concert is like _______?

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Is this an actual agreement or just another opportunity for his kids to make a hundred million shorting Kalshi & Polymarket?

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

"[Spanberger's] veto rests on a fundamental misunderstanding of what these bills do and of the practical realities facing Virginia's courts. SB 83 passed the House of Delegates unanimously and the Senate 26-14..." - @ssurovell.bsky.social @salimforva.bsky.social bluevirginia.us/2026/05/gov-...

"JOINT STATEMENT FROM MAJORITY LEADER SENATOR SUROVELL, SENATOR SALIM, AND DELEGATE KEYS-GAMARRA ON GOVERNOR SPANBERGER'S VETO OF SB 83 AND HB 1392

RICHMOND, VA — We are deeply disappointed by Governor Spanberger's veto of Senate Bill 83 and House Bill 1392, companion measures that would have brought long-overdue uniformity to courthouse security and electronic device policies across the Commonwealth. The veto rests on a fundamental misunderstanding of what these bills do and of the practical realities facing Virginia's courts. SB 83 passed the House of Delegates unanimously and the Senate 26-14, backed by a petition of nearly 400 Virginia attorneys from every region and every area of practice.

The Governor's stated concern, that allowing attorneys to bypass security screening poses a public safety risk, misreads both the bills and the people they cover. Attorneys are licensed professionals who have passed character-and-fitness review and remain under the continuing disciplinary authority of the Virginia State Bar. They are officers of the court, bound by enforceable duties of candor and obedience to court rules. The vetoed legislation backed those duties with real teeth: both a mandatory disciplinary referral to the Bar, jeopardizing the license on which an attorney's livelihood depends, and criminal prosecution, with display of an invalid bar card carrying Class 1 misdemeanor penalties.

By contrast, Virginia courthouses already permit law enforcement officers to bypass screening as a matter of routine. Law enforcement officers are not officers of the court, are not bound by the duties of candor that bind every member of the Bar, and are not subject to a professional disciplinary body that can suspend their ability to earn a living for courthouse misconduct. Indeed, more than 270 Virginia law enforcement officers have been decertified, barred from law enforcement, by the Department of Criminal Justice Services since the 2021 reforms took effect, many for untruth…

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

One of my proudest accomplishments was ending this practice in Virginia

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Pardoned J6er charged with threatening someone with a gun in a church parking lot - who woulda thought?

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

I enjoyed appearing on the The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi yesterday to discuss the recent redistricting litigation, Governor Spanberger's latest legislative actions, and the state budget negotiations - you can listen here

wamu.org

The Politics Hour: VA Sen. Majority Leader Scott Surovell on redistricting Hail Mary

Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell on the Democrats' last-ditch effort on redistricting and Ward 3 D.C. Councilmember Matt Frumin on why homelessness is ticking up.

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

VA Senate Majority Leader @ssurovell.bsky.social: "I respectfully but emphatically support the dissent of Chief Justice Powell...The dissent has it right on the law, on the text of our Constitution, and on the settled practice of the General Assembly." bluevirginia.us/2026/05/brea...

"Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Scott Surovell Releases Statement on the Supreme Court of Virginia’s Decision in SCOTT v. McDOUGLE

Mount Vernon, VA- Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34th) issued the following statement today:

“Today's decision by the Supreme Court of Virginia is, with respect, wrong on the law and unprecedented in its consequences. For the first time in the 250-year history of our Commonwealth, our Supreme Court has set aside the results of a statewide election in which more than three million Virginians cast ballots and a majority voted to ratify a constitutional amendment.

I respectfully but emphatically support the dissent of Chief Justice Powell, joined by Justice Mann and Justice Fulton. The dissent has it right on the law, on the text of our Constitution, and on the settled practice of the General Assembly.

It is important for Virginians to understand that the procedures followed by the General Assembly in this matter were not improvised. Every step of the process — the calling of the special session, the procedural resolutions governing it, the timing and form of the two legislative votes, and the submission of the proposed amendment to the voters — was fully vetted and supported by the nonpartisan attorneys at the Division of Legislative Services, the institutional legal counsel relied upon by both parties for generations. Their guidance reflected existing Virginia precedent, the longstanding understanding of Article XII, Section 1, and the General Assembly's settled practice over more than half a century under the 1971 Constitution. The General Assembly did not invent a new process. We followed the one Virginia has used.

The Constitution of Virginia, in Article II, Section 4, expressly empowers the General Assembly to 'regulate the time, place, manner, conduct, and administration' of elections. The General Assembly has done exactly that in Code § 24.2-101, which defines a general election as one held 'on the Tuesday after the fir…

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Always a pleasure to speak to the Democratic Business Council of NoVA to talk about how the Democratic Party of Virginia is creating a robust business environment and provide yesterday's General Assembly update!

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Thoughts from VA Senate Majority Leader @ssurovell.bsky.social (D), a super-sharp attorney, on this morning's VA Supreme Court oral arguments bluevirginia.us/2026/04/audi...

VA Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell:

"Got to listen to most of today's oral argument - a few quick thoughts:
- Questions came from only 2 justices and mostly Russell, 5 justices were silent
- Russell has always been conservative so his questions were not surprising
- 30-13 clearly argument doesn't hold water
- Gen Assembly defines the limits of special sessions by majority vote - Justice McCullough wrote that in his own treatise
- Decision will come down to whether Election = the Election Day
- Election Day is how election provision/statutes have been interpreted for a century"

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Ken Cuckoo-nelli wrong yet again! LOL bluevirginia.us/2026/04/audi... h/t @ssurovell.bsky.social

""You guys"??! Early voting in VA dates to WWI & 45-days of voting passed 37-3/89-10 in 2019, was carried by a Dem Senator, GOP Delegate & adopted by massive BIPARTISAN majorities! " - Sen. Scott Surovell

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

“Tonight, Virginians did what Virginians have always done: they answered a question about the nature of our democracy, and they answered it in favor of the people." - VA Senate Majority Leader @ssurovell.bsky.social bluevirginia.us/2026/04/live...

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell Releases Statement on Results of the Redistricting Referendum

Mount Vernon, VA – Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell released the following statement on the results of the redistricting referendum:

“Tonight, Virginians did what Virginians have always done: they answered a question about the nature of our democracy, and they answered it in favor of the people.

In 1788, it was here in Virginia that Madison, Mason, and Henry debated whether this new Constitution could truly safeguard self-government. The compact they helped forge rested on a single, radical premise: that legitimate power flows from the consent of the governed, not from those who seek to entrench themselves against the will of voters. Virginia did not simply ratify the Constitution. Virginia shaped it, insisted on a Bill of Rights, and set the standard that representation must answer to the people.

That is the tradition Virginians honored tonight.

Faced with unprecedented gerrymandering in other states, naked attempts to decide elections before a single vote is cast, Virginians refused to stand idle. They voted to reclaim the founding principle that maps should reflect communities, not protect incumbents, and that Congress should be chosen by voters, not the other way around.

President Trump told the country that if Democrats wanted change in Washington, we would have to win more House seats. Tonight, Virginians answered him in the same clear voice Patrick Henry used more than two centuries ago: the people will decide.

Fairness won. Accountability won. And the Commonwealth that gave America its Constitution has once again reminded the nation what that Constitution is for.”

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Interesting back-to-back interviews with Tysons casino supporter @ssurovell.bsky.social and opponent @walteralcorn.bsky.social - to put it mildly, these two guys do NOT see eye to eye on this... bluevirginia.us/2026/04/thur...

Link to the interviews by Russell Brooks on Inside Scoop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tzb9oj31Lw

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Make your plan to vote by April 21 today! Major early voting locations open up this weekend!

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Two more days to vote this week and then 15 days left to vote starting Monday - Make a plan to VOTE YES on April 21!

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

USA Today - "While the mood was generally sunny & marches largely peaceful, the third No Kings protests were an unmistakable display of political force that could reverberate in the 2026 midterms & beyond." And the reckoning for Trump begins on April 21 in Virginia - VOTE EARLY!

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

Some video of my last No Kings March of the day back at the bridge over the George Washington Parkway - Americans are waking up to the disaster across the river.

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

George Washington Parkway Bridge No Kings Rally #2 - I have some creative constituents!

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Over 100 Eastern Fairfax County citizens protesting today at the stone bridge over the George Washington Memorial Parkway to make sure we let the community know how we feel about what's going on in America

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Enjoyed meeting up with my brothers and sisters at the NOVA Labor Federation meeting last night to celebrate our accomplishments this session including state and local collective bargaining and authorization for a Northern Virginia entertainment district!

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Nearly 30% of the electricity price increases were due to Ukrainian War natural gas price spikes - now this. Virginia generates 50% of electricity from natural gas and we cannot transition to a renewable economy soon enough!

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

If you live in Eastern Fairfax County please sign on to my letter to Governor Spanberger asking her to sign my bill with @paulkrizek.bsky.social to authorize the Virginia State Police and Fairfax County Police to conduct traffic enforcement on the George Washington Parkway!

scottsurovell.blogspot.com

Sign On to Tell the Governor We Need Critical Safety Improvements on the George Washington Parkway!

On Saturday, the General Assembly passed SB81 / HB77 that Delegate Krizek and I carried to allow state and local law enforcement officer...

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VAPLAN @vaplan.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Cool @ssurovell.bsky.social bill passed unanimously in Senate that would prevent homeowner’s insurance companies from refusing coverage based on just the AGE of the roof irrespective of the health of the roof.

Voting board shows 40 yeas and 0 nays on SB402

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Video: VA Sen. @ssurovell.bsky.social (D-Fairfax) re: Stephanie Minter’s Horrific Murder - “ICE had this guy in their grasp. They knew he was a violent criminal. They released him.” (Also, "ICE seems focused on doing things other than...keeping us safe") bluevirginia.us/2026/03/vide...

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Majority Leader Scott Surovell @ssurovell.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

George Mason University is rallying today in the city of Fairfax to make sure they are included in our collective bargaining bill! I worked in my Campus Dining Hall and I'm going to make sure our student workers, professors and everyone who works at our universities have representation!

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

"This is actually the second time this judge has entered an order trying to undo what we’ve done. The... [VA] Supreme Court has already ruled that the referendum can proceed. The judge apparently didn’t read what the Supreme Court said." - @ssurovell.bsky.social bluevirginia.us/2026/02/gov-...

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

"So I never thought I'd be quoting Justice Gorsuch on the floor of the Senate, but I think today's opinion from the US Supreme Court is a good lesson in civics for all of us" - VA Senate Majority Leader @ssurovell.bsky.social (D) bluevirginia.us/2026/02/rep-...

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Video: Sen. @ssurovell.bsky.social Speaks to Bill Prohibiting Purchase of Assault Weapons & Handguns for People Under 21 (party-line vote, not surprisingly) bluevirginia.us/2026/02/tues...

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