Crime, guns, and taxes: Democrats seek to reshape Virginia moments after taking power

Democrats in the Virginia legislature introduced a slew of bills this week aimed at steering the commonwealth in a more liberal direction on issues such as gun control, elections, abortion, criminal justice, LGBT policy, race, and taxation — much to the chagrin of the state’s conservatives.

Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger ran last year as a centrist, and critics say the immediate leftward lurch of her party is a reversal of November’s election rhetoric.

“What’s happening in Virginia right now is a classic example of the Democrat playbook: they lie to voters during election season by pretending to be moderates, then get into office and push a liberal agenda completely out of step with the public,” Republican State Leadership Committee spokesman Mason Di Palma told the Washington