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Power struggle at VMI: Governor, lawmakers clash over Black superintendent's future
Power struggle at VMI: Governor, lawmakers clash over Black superintendent’s future
Virginia Senate blocks ethics probe into Carroll Foy while Youngkin’s influence over board raises concerns.
BY: NATHANIEL CLINE - FEBRUARY 26, 2025 5:25 AM
A political firestorm has erupted over the future of the Virginia Military Institute’s first Black superintendent, Ret. Maj. General Cedric Wins, with accusations flying that lawmakers attempted to strong-arm the school’s governing board. … But an effort to investigate one legislator has run into resistance from Virginia Senate leaders, who argue that if lawmakers are scrutinized for meddling in higher education, then Gov. Glenn Youngkin should be, too.
Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, signaled before the end of this year’s regular legislative session that it is unlikely his colleagues will launch an ethics investigation against Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, over allegations that she pressured the VMI Board of Visitors regarding Wins’ contract.
The request for the investigation came from U.S. Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, who accused Carroll Foy of attempting to sway the board’s decision on whether to extend Wins’ tenure.
Surovell dismissed the push for an inquiry, saying it would be hypocritical to investigate Carroll Foy while ignoring Youngkin’s influence over university and college boards he has appointed. The VMI board has 11 Youngkin appointees out of 15 total members.
{snip}
NATHANIEL CLINE
Nathaniel is an award-winning journalist who's been covering news across the country since 2007, including politics at The Loudoun Times-Mirror and The Northern Neck News in Virginia as well as sports for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio. He has also hosted podcasts, worked as a television analyst for Spectrum Sports, and appeared as a panelist for conferences and educational programs. A graduate of Bowie State University, Nathaniel grew up in Hawaii and the United Kingdom as a military brat. Five things he must have before leaving home: his cellphone, Black Panther water bottle, hand sanitizer, wedding ring and Philadelphia Eagles keychain.
Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Virginia Senate blocks ethics probe into Carroll Foy while Youngkin’s influence over board raises concerns.
BY: NATHANIEL CLINE - FEBRUARY 26, 2025 5:25 AM
A political firestorm has erupted over the future of the Virginia Military Institute’s first Black superintendent, Ret. Maj. General Cedric Wins, with accusations flying that lawmakers attempted to strong-arm the school’s governing board. … But an effort to investigate one legislator has run into resistance from Virginia Senate leaders, who argue that if lawmakers are scrutinized for meddling in higher education, then Gov. Glenn Youngkin should be, too.
Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, signaled before the end of this year’s regular legislative session that it is unlikely his colleagues will launch an ethics investigation against Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, over allegations that she pressured the VMI Board of Visitors regarding Wins’ contract.
The request for the investigation came from U.S. Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, who accused Carroll Foy of attempting to sway the board’s decision on whether to extend Wins’ tenure.
Surovell dismissed the push for an inquiry, saying it would be hypocritical to investigate Carroll Foy while ignoring Youngkin’s influence over university and college boards he has appointed. The VMI board has 11 Youngkin appointees out of 15 total members.
{snip}
NATHANIEL CLINE
Nathaniel is an award-winning journalist who's been covering news across the country since 2007, including politics at The Loudoun Times-Mirror and The Northern Neck News in Virginia as well as sports for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio. He has also hosted podcasts, worked as a television analyst for Spectrum Sports, and appeared as a panelist for conferences and educational programs. A graduate of Bowie State University, Nathaniel grew up in Hawaii and the United Kingdom as a military brat. Five things he must have before leaving home: his cellphone, Black Panther water bottle, hand sanitizer, wedding ring and Philadelphia Eagles keychain.
Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.