Trump says Good bad
Former president Donald Trump weighed in on the heated primary between Rep. Bob Good and state Sen. John McGuire, formally endorsing McGuire in a Truth Social post on May 28.
“Bob Good is BAD FOR VIRGINIA, AND BAD FOR THE USA. He turned his back on our incredible movement, and was constantly attacking and fighting me until recently,” posted Trump. “John McGuire has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”
The race between Good and McGuire for the Republican primary nomination for Virginia’s fifth district kicked off in November 2023, shortly after McGuire was elected to the state Senate. While Good is the chair of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, McGuire and other Trump loyalists have slammed the representative for his previous endorsement of Ron DeSantis in the presidential primary and have accused Good of being a “RINO” (Republican In Name Only) and “never Trumper.”
Trump’s endorsement of McGuire has sent an already hotly contested primary into overdrive. Both candidates have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions, and more than $6 million in independent expenditures—either in support of or against the candidates—has been spent so far, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
Early voting for the Republican and Democratic primaries in VA-5 is already underway and runs until June 15. For more information on local early voting hours and locations, visit your local registrar’s website.
Primary election day is June 18, with polls open from 6am to 7pm statewide.
Play ball
The University of Virginia has been selected as one of 16 teams to host a regional for the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship. Players from Mississippi State, St. John’s, and the University of Pennsylvania will join the Cavaliers at Ted Davenport Field at Disharoon Park for the Charlottesville regional, which runs from May 31 to June 3.
The Cavs will face Penn’s Quakers in the opening game at noon on May 31, with St. John’s and Mississippi playing ball later that night at 7pm. The teams will then go into a doubleheader on Saturday, June 1.
This year’s event marks the 11th time the Hoos have hosted NCAA Regionals and the 21st time UVA has competed in the playoffs.
“Certainly, you have to perform on the field, and your team each and every year has to earn that opportunity,” Head Coach Brian O’Connor told VirginiaSports.com. “But you also have to have a facility and a fan base to drive that, to put in a bid that’s competitive … Our fans come out for the games, even the games that we’re not playing in, and it’s just a great atmosphere for college baseball.”
Access denied
Community organizers are calling on the University of Virginia to drop its no trespass order against Mustafa Abdelhamid, who was one of 27 people arrested at the pro-Palestine encampment at UVA on May 4. The order has led to the rescinding of Abdelhamid’s externship at UVA Medical Center, and it has jeopardized the Piedmont Virginia Community College student’s anticipated graduation. The nursing student alleges he was in the area delivering an order for DoorDash and that he was not aware of the declaration of an unlawful assembly.
Missing teen
The Charlottesville Police Department is seeking information about Portillo Abreago, a missing child from Washington, D.C., most recently seen in the 500 block of Park Street on May 24. Abreago is 14 years old, 4’5,” with brown hair and eyes. Anyone with information can contact CPD at 910-3280.
Good food
The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank announced the results of its annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on May 23, bringing in a whopping 90,967 pounds of food. The donations will reportedly produce 76,006 meals for local people experiencing food insecurity. “Together, we are making a difference and helping to ensure that no one in our community goes without healthy, nutritious food,” shared the group on Facebook.