McAuliffe accepts debate invites, Politifact hits McAuliffe for telling it wrong, Business Insider says Youngkin supported McAuliffe's economy last time, and other state's governors endorse Youngkin

The latest in Virginia politics

Jun 16, 2021

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McAuliffe accepts invitations to participate in five gubernatorial debates

There is always a debate before the debate and this gubernatorial race will be no different. Democratic candidate for governor Terry McAuliffe announced on Tuesday that he has accepted five debate invitations ahead of the general election in November.

“Virginians deserve to hear directly from us about our plans for the Commonwealth, and I hope Glenn Youngkin will join me at these five debates,” McAuliffe said in a press release Tuesday.

The campaign for Republican nominee Glenn Youngkin has not commented on the announcement from McAuliffe.

The planning process for debates, especially ones of this magnitude, is typically plagued with political maneuvering and posturing. In 2017, Ed Gillespie challenged Ralph Northam to ten debates and Northam only proposed three. Gillespie called it insulting to Virginians but eventually settled for three.

The debates that McAuliffe agreed to are:

Hot Springs, Virginia: Virginia Bar Association – July 24
Hampton Roads: Norfolk State University
Southwest Virginia: Appalachian School of Law – August/September
Northern Virginia: Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, NBC4/Telemundo 44 and the Schar School of Public Policy and Government at George Mason University – September 29
Richmond: AARP Virginia and WTVR – October 12

The first public poll in the race shows McAuliffe with a four-point lead, giving Republicans hope that they can compete in the state that voted in favor of Joe Biden less than a year ago.

The general election is taking place on Nov. 2.

Attorney general candidates participate in first debate of the general election season

Attorney General Mark Herring and his Republican challenger Del. Jason Miyares squared off for the first debate of the general election season. They both highlighted their drastic difference on many issues — Patrick Wilson from the Richmond Times-Dispatch has a breakdown of where each candidate stood on issues during the debate.

After the debate, Miyares released the following statement: “There’s little doubt that Jason Miyares won today’s first Attorney General debate. Mark Herring failed miserably to defend his own record as Attorney General. Jason Miyares proved to Virginians that his vision for the Attorney General’s office will make Virginia safer. Taking on two term liberal Mark Herring in a debate, Jason stressed the need for the Attorney General to be Virginia’s Top Cop and focus the office on public safety. Pointing out Herring’s failed leadership time and time again, Jason reminded voters of Herring’s role in the Virginia Parole Board coverup where the Northam/Herring administration turned a blind eye to the constant violations of law in releasing violent offenders back into our streets. Jason offered the voters a real choice this November—the voters can accept Herring’s criminal first/victim last mentality, or the voters can chart a new course where violent offenders remain behind bars where they belong.”

Herring’s campaign released the following statement after the debate: “Jason Miyares’ extreme conservative agenda and record were on full display today and he didn’t even attempt to defend them. Miyares is anti-choice, anti-LGBTQ rights, anti-healthcare, and pro-NRA, and his stances’ and rhetoric are a threat to Virginians’ rights and safety from gun violence.” said Farah Melendez, campaign manager for Mark Herring for AG. “Mark Herring is the only person in this race with a proven record that Virginians can trust––not an extreme conservative that will roll back the progress made and fall in line with Trump and his allies. Jason Miyares is wrong for Virginia.”

The event was hosted by the Virginia Bar Association and not open to the public for watching. The media was allowed to attend but there is not an archived video to link to. Blue Virginia has video of the debate that was hosted by the Bar Association, however.

Republican Governors Abbott, Hogan, Burgum, Lee, and Haley Endorse Glenn Youngkin

Gov. Greg Abbott (TX): "Glenn Youngkin will make an outstanding governor of Virginia and I’m proud to support his candidacy. Glenn understands the challenges and opportunities facing Virginia require innovative and fresh solutions, not the tired rehash of politics as usual. Virginia deserves a leader who will keep his word and deliver the kind of results that Virginians need."

Gov. Larry Hogan (MD): "Glenn Youngkin will get Virginia's economy moving again, bring businesses back to the Commonwealth, and create jobs. I look forward to working with him to move Virginia and Maryland forward. Glenn's campaign has already received an outpouring of support across Virginia - I urge you to join me in supporting Glenn Youngkin."

Gov. Doug Burgum (ND): “Virginians are ready for a change. They're ready to elect Glenn Youngkin who knows how to get things done and deliver results - not empty promises. Glenn is the best positioned to put Virginia back on a path to be a great place to live, work, and raise a family. He will take on the left liberal agenda in Richmond and Terry McAuliffe. Virginians, join me in supporting Glenn Youngkin and don't forget to get out and vote for him on November 2nd.”

Gov. Bill Lee (TN): "Glenn is a new kind of leader who can deliver results and get the job done in Virginia. As governor, Glenn Youngkin will unleash growth, increase opportunity for all Virginians, focus on our schools, support our law enforcement, help families keep more of their paycheck and bring businesses back to Virginia. One party control has failed hardworking Virginians and their families, so join me in supporting someone who will break the status quo - Glenn Youngkin."

Former Gov. Nikki Haley (SC): "Virginians are tired of closed schools, high taxes, and government that’s forgotten it works for them. Glenn Youngkin is a businessman who will create jobs, open schools, back law enforcement, and protect the right to work. I’m proud to endorse him because he will work to lift up all Virginians."

Terry McAuliffe keeps repeating bogus budget claim - Politifact

by Warren Fiske

Former and possibly future Gov. Terry McAuliffe keeps telling it wrong. "I inherited the largest budget deficit in the history of the state from the Republicans," McAuliffe, a Democrat who led the state from 2014-2018, tweeted on June 10.

We gave False ratings to this repeated claim twice in 2015 and once in 2019. McAuliffe did not inherit a deficit when he took office. His Republican predecessor, Gov. Bob McDonnell, left behind balanced budgets as required by Virginia’s constitution.

Glenn Youngkin Was For Terry McAuliffe's Economy Before He Was Against It - Business Insider

By Adam Wren and Warren Rojas

Glenn Youngkin was for Terry McAuliffe's economy before he was against it.

It's an uncomfortable bit of reality for Youngkin, now the GOP nominee for Virginia governor who as CEO of global investment firm The Carlyle Group routinely praised the state's economic progress while McAuliffe was its chief executive.

Critical race theory causing drama in Virginia governor’s race: Here’s where the candidates stand - WRIC

by Jackie Defusco

On Tuesday, 8News asked Republican nominee Glenn Youngkin if he thinks systemic racism exists in America and if it should be taught as part of African American history in public schools.

“I agree with Senator Tim Scott who said that America is not racist,” Youngkin said. “There is a political agenda and it’s called critical race theory. It’s being taught in our schools. It’s dividing kids and pitting them against one another and, when I’m governor, we won’t teach it in our schools. We will teach real history, all history, good and bad.”

McAuliffe emphasizes health care with pitch for Medicaid buy-in plan - Richmond Times-Dispatch

by Michael Martz

Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe wants to offer another health insurance option to Virginians who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford the out-of-pocket costs of coverage they can buy now in the marketplace.

McAuliffe is pitching his Medicaid “buy-in” plan at appearances in Harrisonburg and Charlottesville on Tuesday as part of an opening policy salvo in his race for another term as Virginia governor against Republican nominee Glenn Youngkin, who has criticized the state’s decision to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

Virginia Senator Amanda Chase tours Arizona forensic election audit - Potomac Local

by Uriah Kiser

A representative from the Virginia State Senate is just back from a trip to Arizona, where she toured the largest forensic audit of the November 3, 2020, General Election.

The audit taking place in Maricopa County, Arizona, is the first in the U.S., forensic, in-depth look at election results of any locality. Sparked by Republicans in the Arizona State Senate, the massive operation has reviewed more than 2 million election ballots in the county of more than 4 million people to uncover voter fraud.

Democratic Primary Superlatives - VPAP

Want to know where Jennifer McClellan or Jennifer Carroll Foy did best? Or the locality with the lowest turnout? This map highlights some of the highs and lows from last week's Democratic gubernatorial primary.

Virginia Political Newsletter

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