"After a Democratic-controlled Senate committee rejected 14 of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s appointments to university boards last Thursday, the governor’s office blasted the lawmakers in a letter Friday, labeling the committees’ actions as 'unprecedented attempts to intimidate board members' that have harmed Virginia institutions of higher learning. 

The missive, dated Aug. 29, is the latest turn in an ongoing battle between Youngkin, who as governor has the authority to add and remove people to Virginia college boards, and Democratic legislators, who have bucked the governor’s picks over concerns about their backgrounds and ideological positions, and who have the power to confirm or reject board appointees.

Last week, Democrats on the Senate Privileges & Elections Committee rejected 14 more appointments, bringing the total number they’ve blocked this year to 22," reports Virginia Mercury.

Photo: Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaking with reporters on April 8, 2024. (Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)