Senate Democrats reject qualified university and state board members

RICHMOND – Today, Governor Glenn Youngkin released the following statement in response to House and Senate Democrats rejecting 13 qualified university and board members.

“This is an unfortunate day. I hope Virginians will remember this moment of petty, partisan politics. My administration has always stood for excellence, appointing outstanding leadership to Virginia’s state and university boards. I would like to thank those who offered to serve, but were unfortunately removed today. I am grateful that they volunteered to serve the Commonwealth.

“Today the House failed in its duty to correct the injustice that occurred two weeks ago in the Senate. House Democrats stepped up their efforts and removed four additional individuals. These included a former Democrat senator from Virginia, a Hispanic veteran of war, a medical expert who is well-known, and a Virginia native and veteran.

“I am shocked and disappointed by the democratic leadership’s decision to remove thirteen highly qualified leaders who are national recognized in the fields law, finance and government, as well as education, law enforcement and medicine. The most notable of these is a Jewish civil rights lawyer who was an invaluable asset at George Mason University in a period when the campus experienced a high level of antisemitism.

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