As they prepare to take control of the Virginia General Assembly in January, Republicans are already at odds with each other over how hard to push on divisive social issues long stalled by state Democrats. Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling’s authority to break ties in a now evenly divided state Senate gives Republicans effective control of Richmond for just the second time since the Civil War and it’s just a matter of how far right the state will turn. A laserlike focus on jobs and the economy is necessary to improve the unemployment outlook in the state, said Sen. Ryan McDougle, R-Hanover, the newly elected Republican caucus chairman. But an increasingly conservative caucus could push the agenda in other directions.
“You’ve got to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time,” said Sen.-elect Dick Black, a Republican from Loudoun County with a track record of pushing conservative social bills while in the House of Delegates. With four new conservative Republicans joining the Senate thanks to this month’s legislative elections, Black anticipates a chance to strengthen abortion restrictions, ease gun regulations and further restrict labor unions.
