Jimmy O’Keefe VCU senior studying print-online journalism and political science. Graduating May

2020 with plans to pursue a career in political reporting.

VCU CNS Reporter, Fall 2019 • Wrote several stories, which were published in several news outlets throughout

Virginia and the country.

• Gained experience analyzing multiple aspects of political campaigns, including

campaign finance report data and campaign ads.

• Wrote two stories that were distributed by the Associated Press.

• Covered the youth vote on Election Day, including posting Instagram stories and

live-tweeting from a polling location at Virginia State University.

• Participated in CNS’s election night room, contributing to two stories throughout

the night.

• Worked to build relationships with sources.

RVA Mag Contributing writer, since May 2019 • Writes feature stories on a variety of subjects, from state elections to local music.

• Takes photos to accompany many stories.

• Writes stories on tight deadlines.

Virginia Commonwealth University Student, since Aug. 2017 • Studies print-online journalism, learning AP style and how to effectively cover

news.

• Completed broadcast journalism classes, learning how to report with video and

audio.

• Studies political science, with a concentration in political theory.

Richmond, VA jimmyvokeefe@gmail.com 804-305-0309

JIMMY O’KEEFE

Democracy Dies in Darkness

Morrissey talks policy, says ‘no scores tosettle’ in SenateBy Jimmy O'Keefe, Capital News Service | AP

September 16, 2019 at 10:28 a.m. EDT

RICHMOND, Va. — When Joe Morrissey staged a primary challenge against Sen.Rosalyn Dance, he also faced off against the state’s top Democratic leadership --Gov. Ralph Northam, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine and former Gov. Terry McAuliffe --who supported the incumbent.

Morrissey has been disbarred twice, convicted for contributing to the delinquencyof a minor, and canonized in Virginia history for punching a defense lawyer in1991 while he served as Richmond’s commonwealth attorney. The last time heserved in the General Assembly, he spent his nights in jail and his daysrepresenting constituents.

Yet, Morrissey swept the primary with 56% of the votes after running a campaignthat put him directly in front of voters; going door-to-door converted into asurprising win. Now he seems surely bound for Capitol Square representing the16th Senate District, which includes Petersburg and Hopewell, part of Richmondand parts of Chesterfield, Prince George and Dinwiddie counties.

The party largely snubbed Morrissey during the competitive primary, but nowDemocrats are sidling back with an eye to the January 2020 legislative session,and concern over who Morrissey may caucus with.

In the past few weeks, Morrissey confirmed he had coffee with Northam’s chief ofstaff, Clark Mercer, and beer with McAuliffe. Democrats aren’t the only onescourting Morrissey, who received phone calls from Republicans after his primarywin.

“Fighting Joe” Morrissey indicates that the fights he’s most interested in now arethe ones for his constituents.

“I’m not going to the Senate to settle old scores. I’m not going there with any typeof ‘I told you so,’” Morrissey said when asked about his future politicalrelationships.

Morrissey touts a legislative agenda that would make Democrats beam, citing

y g g , genvironment and criminal justice reform as his biggest priorities.

An analysis of his 2008-2015 legislative record shows Morrissey voted mostlywith his party, according to the Richmond Sunlight database records. Hechampioned legislation dealing with gun control, environmental policy andcriminal justice reform, including a proposed constitutional amendment thatwould have restored civil rights to individuals convicted of felonies.

The linchpin of his current environmental focus is excavating and recycling coalash rather than capping coal ash ponds

“There’s a coal ash pond 100 feet from the James River. Don’t think that it won’tseep into the river,” Morrissey said. “That’s why I’m against simply capping —putting a cover — over toxic coal ash and saying that everything is going to beokay -- it’s not going to be okay.”

Morrissey also has ambitious plans for criminal justice reform, pointing to thesteep cost of incarceration versus drug court.

“I favor doubling the number of drug courts in Virginia,” Morrissey said. “Therecidivism rate for people that go through a drug court is 6.1% while therecidivism rate for people that go through the Department of Corrections is 61%.”

Morrissey wants to bring parole back for felons, which was abolished in 1995. Hecompared parole to auto insurance demerit points that are used to incentivizesafer driving.

“I want to incentivize people to behave in prison, to take advantage of programs,and to not commit other crimes in prison or abuse drugs. How do you incentivizethem? Reinstate parole,” Morrissey said.

Other criminal justice reform goals include automatic restoration of rights forfelons leaving prison, establishing a mental health court and permanentlyensuring that drivers can’t have their license suspended or revoked over unpaidcourt costs or fines.

Of the $66,000 in contributions Morrissey’s campaign has received as of themost recent filing report, the bulk is from his own coffers: $25,000 from his owncheckbook and another $25,000 from the law practice he established, Morrissey& Goldman LLC The third top donor is Verona-based Nexus Services which

& Goldman LLC. The third top donor is Verona-based Nexus Services, whichhelps immigrants post bond and provides them with GPS monitoring deviceswhile they wait for immigration cases to be heard.

“I’m going in there kind of like a free agent, with no debts that I have to payback,” Morrissey said.

Democrats eager to flip the Senate may rest easier when they hear his policypositions, but Morrissey is careful to note that constituents are his primaryconcern.

“I can go in there and vote for the legislation that’s best for Virginia and best forthe citizens of the 16th District,” he said. “Then what’s best for the party, and thenwhat’s best for Joe Morrissey -- in that order.”

___

This story was produced by the Virginia Commonwealth University’s CapitalNews Service.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may notbe published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Democracy Dies in Darkness

Virginia to develop 4 new solar energy projectsBy Jimmy O'Keefe, Capital News Service | AP

Oct. 4, 2019 at 7:05 p.m. EDT

RICHMOND, Va. — Permits were issued Thursday for the construction and operation offour new solar projects that are expected to offset carbon dioxide emissions in the state by459 million pounds — the equivalent of driving more than 44,000 cars for a year.

“Virginia is adopting solar technology at record rates, and we are building an economy thatis cleaner and greener as a result,” Gov. Ralph Northam stated in a press releaseannouncing the permits, issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

The four new solar projects will produce an additional 192 megawatts of electricity. Onaverage, 1 megawatt of solar energy can provide 190 homes with electrical power,according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

AD

The newly announced solar projects will consist of the following:

.Danville Farm, which is being developed in Pittsylvania County by Strata SolarDevelopment and will generate 12 megawatts of electricity.

.Dragonfly Solar, which is being developed in Campbell County by Apex Clean EnergyHoldings and will generate 80 megawatts of electricity.

.Grasshopper Solar Project, which is being developed in Mecklenburg County by DominionEnergy Services and will generate 80 megawatts of electricity.

.Turner Solar, which is being developed in Henrico County by Cypress Creek Renewablesand will generate 20 megawatts of electricity.

“Over the last five years, Virginia has seen a dramatic increase in installed solardevelopments,” DEQ Director David Paylor stated in a press release. “As of August thisyear, there are nearly a dozen small projects in Virginia producing 357 megawatts, enoughto power more than 86,000 homes.”

AD

Last month, Northam issued Executive Order 43, which calls for 100% of Virginia’selectricity to come from carbon-free sources by 2050. The executive order also calls for30% of the state’s electricity to be powered by renewable energy resources by 2030. In2018, 7% of Virginia’s electricity was generated from renewable energy sources, accordingto the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

“This Executive Order will help ensure that Virginia remains at the forefront of cleanenergy innovation, meets the urgency of the challenges brought on by climate change, andcaptures the economic, environmental, and health benefits of this energy growth in anequitable way that benefits all Virginians,” Northam stated in a press release when theexecutive order was issued.

Solar energy developments can save taxpayers money. Partnering with Sun Tribe Solar, aCharlottesville-based company, Libbie Mill Library in Henrico County began installationof a rooftop solar system in September. The 122-kilowatt system is projected to saveHenrico taxpayers $150,000 over the next 25 years.

According to the governor’s executive order, at least 3,000 megawatts of electricity will begenerated from solar and onshore wind sources by 2022. And by 2026, up to 2,500

AD

generated from solar and onshore wind sources by 2022. And by 2026, up to 2,500megawatts of electricity will be generated by offshore wind sources. Currently, the statedoes not generate any large-scale electricity through wind farms, according to the U.S.Energy Information Administration.

Dominion Energy announced last month that it is building a 220-turbine wind farm offVirginia’s coastline. The project, projected to cost $7.8 billion, will be the largest offshorewind development in the U.S. Once the wind farm is complete, Dominion claims it willpower 650,000 homes at peak wind.

“Governor Ralph Northam has made it clear Virginia is committed to leading the way inoffshore wind,” Mark Mitchell, vice president of generation construction for DominionEnergy, said in a press release. “We are rising to this challenge with this 2,600-megawattcommercial offshore wind development.”

DEQ is responsible for administering state and federal environmental policy in Virginia.The agency issues permits to regulate levels of pollution throughout the state.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not bepublished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AD

12/3/19, 12(15 PMGhazala Hashmi: From personal crisis to Senate victory

Page 1 of 7https://www.nbc12.com/2019/11/16/ghazala-hashmi-personal-crisis-senate-victory/

NEW EPISODE / Latest episode of How We Got Here podcast dropped today | Listen Now ××

POLITICS

Ghazala Hashmi: Frompersonal crisis to Senatevictory

Ghazala Hashmi made history by becoming the first Muslim-American woman to be elected into the Virginia senate. (Source: wwbt/nbc12)

November 15, 2019 at 9:42 PM EST - Updated November 15 at 9:42 PM

By Jimmy O’Keefe

Capital News Service

RICHMOND -- “It was back in 2017 that I had a momentof personal crisis,” said Ghazala Hashmi, who defeatedincumbent Republican Glen Sturtevant in the race forVirginia Senate District 10 earlier this month.

47°

FULL FORECAST

Sponsored By

RECENT CONTENT

On this day:Letter sentto Virginiagovernoraboutsegregationfound atlibrary

○!

○"

○!

Currently inRichmond, VA

Healthcare Pros Home Pros Inside Local Business RVA Road Trips RVA Today Angel Tree

" WATCH LIVE NEWS WEATHER ON YOUR SIDE CW RICHMOND

12/3/19, 12(15 PMGhazala Hashmi: From personal crisis to Senate victory

Page 2 of 7https://www.nbc12.com/2019/11/16/ghazala-hashmi-personal-crisis-senate-victory/

“I was faced with the Trump Muslim ban, and I had tomake a decision for myself about whether or not Ibelonged in this country anymore,” Hashmi said.

While Hashmi is not from one of the seven countriesaffected by President Donald Trump’s 2017 executiveorder that became known as a Muslim travel ban, she wasconcerned it was an indicator that Muslims were notwelcome in the U.S.

For Hashmi, a lifelong educator who immigrated to theU.S. from India at age 4, becoming more politicallyengaged was the way to prove that she and members ofother marginalized groups were welcome in the country.Now, after an election that has increased the number ofwomen in the General Assembly to a record 41 out of 140,she will be the first Muslim to serve in Virginia’s Senate.

Hashmi’s campaign against Sturtevant, who hasrepresented the 10th District since 2016, was not her firstpolitical experience.

“I had always volunteered for political campaigns,”Hashmi said, noting that she had previously volunteeredfor Barack Obama’s 2008 and 2012 presidentialcampaigns, the 2018 campaign for Rep. AbigailSpanberger, D-7th, , and Del. Dawn Adams’, D-Richmond,2017 campaign.

“I had gotten a sense of what the local landscape was likein terms of voters and volunteers and the infrastructure ofcampaigning,” Hashmi said.

Despite her work on campaigns in the past, Hashmicharacterized running her own campaign as “a hugechallenge.” She said she and her husband primarily ran

Published December2, 2019 at 7:16 AM

King WilliamCountysupervisorsdeclarecounty as’SecondAmendmentSanctuary'Published November26, 2019 at 10:38 PM

On This Dayin 1789:Washingtondeclares aday of publicthanksgivingand prayerPublished November26, 2019 at 5:47 AM

" Newreport islatest steptowardslegalizingcasinos inVirginiaPublished November25, 2019 at 7:27 PM

12/3/19, 12(15 PMGhazala Hashmi: From personal crisis to Senate victory

Page 3 of 7https://www.nbc12.com/2019/11/16/ghazala-hashmi-personal-crisis-senate-victory/

the campaign since its launch in December 2018 untilPhilip Stein was brought onboard as campaign manager inMarch.

From the inception of the campaign until August, Hashmiworked full time as an administrator at J. SargeantReynolds Community College in Richmond. After herresignation, she was able to devote more time tocampaigning, such as fundraising or knocking on doors.

“It wasn’t fun,” Hashmi said of simultaneously workingfull time and running a campaign. “Starting in September,a great deal of stress was just taken off my shoulders, andI was really able to focus on the campaign. And that wasan important step for me to take.”

Looking forward to her first legislative session, Hashmi --who taught English for over a decade at Reynolds -- isprioritizing education policy.

“Restoring funding to education is a top priority,” shesaid. “I know that’s something I share with many of myDemocratic colleagues, and we want to move forwardquickly in making sure our budget reflects the educationalneeds of our communities.”

Deirdre Condit, associate professor of political science atVirginia Commonwealth University, said on Election Daythat Hashmi’s win over Sturtevant is a landmark change inVirginia.

“It’s a really important descriptive representation but alsopolicy and ideology shift for many people in the state,”she said.

With Democrats leading state government for the first

12/3/19, 12(15 PMGhazala Hashmi: From personal crisis to Senate victory

Page 4 of 7https://www.nbc12.com/2019/11/16/ghazala-hashmi-personal-crisis-senate-victory/

time in a generation, Hashmi said she hopes there will beless political gridlock standing in the way of progressivelegislation. She noted that bills pertaining to climatechange, gun safety, and protecting the rights of womenand other vulnerable communities will be prioritized.

“I have been a member of this community for threedecades now and really have an understanding of thefamilies and the needs that are apparent in so manydifferent segments of the community,” Hashmi said. “Thatperspective is going to be critically important in theSenate.”

Hashmi defeated Sturtevant with 54% of votes. In one ofthe most expensive races in the state, Hashmi outraisedSturtevant $2.6 million to $2.4 million, according to theVirginia Public Access Project.

Capital News Service is a program of VirginiaCommonwealth University’s Robertson School of Media andCulture. Students in the program provide state governmentcoverage for a variety of media outlets in Virginia.

Submit a news tip.