Democratic gubernatorial candidates debate, sort of.
The latest in Virginia politics
Democratic gubernatorial candidates met virtually Thursday for a debate moderated by NBC news anchor Chuck Todd. State Senator Jennifer McClellan, former Governor Terry McAuliffe, former Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy, Del. Lee Carter, and Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax were present for the debate, which was really modeled like a forum.
Below are some highlights and quotes from the candidates and their campaigns after the debate.
From the Terry McAuliffe campaign: “During tonight’s Democratic gubernatorial debate hosted by NBC 4 and Telemundo 44, Terry McAuliffe laid out a clear contrast between himself and Donald Trump’s hand-picked candidate Glenn Youngkin, reminding voters how far the Commonwealth has come in the eight years since he was sworn in as Virginia’s 72nd Governor.”
“And what did this billionaire do right before his nomination? He campaigned all over Virginia with Senator Ted Cruz,” McAuliffe said. “Who was his first endorsement after he was nominated? Donald J. Trump. In the first rally he gave after his nomination he came out to eliminate abortion in Virginia and put more guns on the street. We’ve lived through an experiment at the White House with a right-wing billionaire. We’ve seen the damage that has been done to our country. We cannot let Glenn Youngkin do to Virginia what Donald Trump did to our country. I’m running for Governor on a big, bold plan to take Virginia to the next level, to lead this country out of the COVID crisis. It’s time to go big, no more tinkering around the edges.”
From the Jennifer Carroll Foy campaign: “In her opening statement, Jennifer Carroll Foy laid out the choice in this election: the same policies and politicians of the past, or a new leader with a clear vision who has been one of the most effective legislators in the House of Delegates, fighting to uplift working people.”
“I became a foster mom, a Virginia Military Institute graduate, a public defender, and a legislator who passed bills and budgets to uplift working families, and to fight for our communities,” Carroll Foy said during the debate. “And I'm proud to say I was one of the most effective legislators in the House of Delegates, expanding Medicaid over 500,000 Virginians, and leading the fight to pass the Equal Rights Amendment...Republicans are hoping we recycle the same old policies and politicians of the past. That's why we need to nominate a new leader, with a clear vision and bold ideas to move Virginia forward.”
From the Carroll Foy campaign: [JCF] responded to a question about her experience and electability — a question all too familiar to women candidates — sharing her proven ability to win tough races by outworking and out-inspiring her opponents:
“The Republican Governors Association is attacking me because they are worried, and they should be,” Carroll Foy said during the debate.” They know that I am the most electable in this race because I will out-inspire and outwork the Republicans in November. I flipped a Republican district, pregnant with twins...So many people have told me all of my life that it’s not my time and not my turn. Millions of women out there know exactly what that feels like, having our experience undermined and our credentials questioned. But I'm not here to ask the patriarchy for permission. I'm here to get things done for the people of Virginia. And I've been one of the most effective legislators in Virginia's history, passing the Equal Rights Amendment, Medicaid expansion, and so much more. So we have an opportunity to build back Virginia in a way that leaves no one behind. And that's what this campaign is about.”
The Jennifer McClellan campaign released the following highlights from the debate:
OPENING STATEMENT: “We need a nominee who has the experience but also brings a fresh perspective. And as a working mother, as a Black woman who has seen how our state government has left many communities behind, I've worked to address those problems for the past 15 years. I have more governing experience than any other candidate running for governor, all of them combined. And I've used that experience to lead on addressing climate change, voting rights - expanding voting rights, ratifying the era, expanding reproductive health, expanding access to health care. And that is the kind of experience we need.”
ON THE RACE AHEAD: “We need a candidate who will meet Glenn Youngkin and show that Virginians are ready for someone who will not just look to divide us, but bring us together and lead us out of this critical crisis we are in to make Virginia a stronger, more united, and more equitable Commonwealth.”
ON EDUCATION: “We need to go farther and make sure that we are not only assessing where the kids are now providing specific instruction to get where they need to be, give our localities more flexibility if they need to have year-round school or longer days. We need to make sure we are lifting the cap on support personnel so that mental health professionals, nurses, social workers are back in the building to address the need, the wraparound services needs of our children. And we need to address the crumbling schools by having the state fund again construction and renovation.”
ON INEQUITY: “I have the support of the people on the ground who have been doing the work to address inequity and I have done more to address inequity than any other candidate on this stage and bringing perspectives that were not represented in the General Assembly. I will do the same as governor. And that is why the grassroots support of New Virginia Majority and Care In Action is so important. Because they know I've been doing the work.”
ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM: “We have to end qualified immunity because when a police officer violates someone's civil rights and it ends in death or injury, they need to be held accountable. We need to have more than just civilian review boards with subpoena power, we need to have independent investigative units at the Attorney General's office and for our state law enforcement.”
Additionally, in a fact check released from the McClellan campaign, they directly addressed Carroll Foy’s statements. “Former Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy, who served just three years before quitting office in 2020, claimed three times tonight that she was ‘one of the most effective legislators in Virginia history,’” the press release said.
The statement from the McClellan campaign was a response to the statement made by Carroll Foy in the video below:
The Republican gubernatorial nominee for governor, Glenn Youngkin, released a statement at the conclusion of the Democratic debate:
“It was abundantly clear tonight that Terry McAuliffe is just another all-talk, no-action career politician desperately clinging to power. The only thing ‘big and bold’ about him is his long list of failures and willingness to say anything regardless of the truth. I wholeheartedly agree with what Jennifer Carroll Foy said: we need to elect a new kind of leader, not recycle the same old policies and politicians of the past. That’s why my campaign is seeing such an outpouring of support across Virginia from Republicans, Independents, and Democrats.
Lee Carter also took some shots at McAuliffe during the debate:
Justin Fairfax’s bid for governor has observers asking: Why? - Associated Press
by Sarah Rankin
Virginia’s lieutenant governor, Justin Fairfax, has long had lofty political ambitions, and even after being accused by two women of sexual assault he’s pressing forward with a bid for governor.
The women’s allegations, which he’s spent two years trying to refute, are a dark cloud over what might have otherwise been a strong campaign, making it nearly impossible to fundraise or secure endorsements. Outside observers say there’s no way he can win, raising the question of why he’s running.
Socialist Carter attacks McAuliffe in gubernatorial debate; former governor focuses on GOP's Youngkin - Richmond Times-Dispatch
by Patrick Wilson
hree candidates struggling to overcome Democratic gubernatorial front-runner Terry McAuliffe kept their hands to themselves during a televised debate Thursday, while Democratic socialist Lee Carter slammed McAuliffe’s backing of corporate interests.
McAuliffe, a former governor, turned his focus to GOP nominee Glenn Youngkin, calling him a Donald Trump-loving “right-wing billionaire.”
Delegate Vivian Watts Endorses Delegate Hala Ayala for Lieutenant Governor
"I am pleased to endorse Delegate Ayala for Lieutenant Governor,” said Del. Watts. “Delegate Ayala is a principled legislator with a deep understanding of policy and how this can better the lives of Virginians. Hala is the strong and compassionate candidate we need on the ticket to defeat Winsome Sears. I hope you will join me in supporting her."
Virginia Democratic attorney general candidate Del. Jay Jones joins First Lady Pamela Northam in Norfolk
First Lady Northam and Del. Jones visited the Shiloh Baptist Church walk-in vaccine clinic first.
Then, they visited PB Young Elementary to speak with teachers and students about the return to in-person schooling:
They also visited Children’s Harbor Ghent, a non-profit that participates in the Child Care Subsidy Program.
Humane Society Legislative Fund endorses Mark Herring for Attorney General of Virginia
The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Mark Herring for reelection as Attorney General of Virginia.
“Attorney General Herring’s Animal Law Unit is a model for other attorneys general around the nation to emulate,” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “This work has made communities safer for people and animals.”
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Northam announces changes to pardon process, new parole board member - Richmond Times-Dispatch
by Patrick Wilson
Gov. Ralph Northam’s office announced steps on Thursday designed to help ease a backlog of requests for pardons and smooth the application process.
Northam’s office said in a news release that there’s been a “major influx” of pardon petitions during his administration and that of previous Gov. Terry McAuliffe. Northam has declined to disclose the number of cases in the backlog or the number of state employees assigned to investigate cases.
Governor Northam Announces New Airline to Establish Operations in Norfolk
Governor Ralph Northam announced Friday that Breeze Airways, a new U.S.- based airline providing low-cost, nonstop service to mid-size markets, will invest $5.2 million to establish an operations center in the City of Norfolk. The company targets underserved and unserved cities without nonstop service and has identified dozens of route opportunities from Norfolk International Airport. Norfolk will be one of Breeze Airways’ first four operations bases in the United States, and the airline also plans to offer flights out of Richmond International Airport. Virginia successfully competed with several other locations for the project, which will create 116 new jobs.
“Aviation has long been ingrained in the Hampton Roads economy, and the arrival of Breeze Airways is another sign of this region’s growing position as a commercial flight hub,” said Governor Northam. “The post-pandemic world will offer increasing opportunities for travel and tourism, and the addition of this new low-cost carrier at Norfolk International Airport will be a catalyst for economic growth, welcoming visitors to our Commonwealth with convenient, nonstop service to often overlooked markets. We are honored that Breeze Airways has selected Virginia as one of its first domestic locations and look forward to building a strong and successful partnership with the company.”
Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Breeze Airways is a start-up airline established by David Neeleman, a founder of multiple airlines, including JetBlue. Its targets include inbound travel, local leisure and business travel, and millennial travelers. Breeze Airways will operate mostly in markets in which no other airlines currently compete. All employees, which will include airline crew and aircraft maintenance workers, will remain local. The company plans to offer flights beginning in June 2021. Additional information about today’s announcement is available at flybreeze.com.