The first Democratic gubernatorial debate and Jones proposes Voter Protection & Election Integrity Unit for Office of Attorney General
The latest news in Virginia politics and statewide campaigns
All but one of Virginia’s Democratic gubernatorial nominees participated in ‘The People’s Debate‘ Tuesday night.
The virtual event was hosted by progressive groups from across the Commonwealth and was not sanctioned by the Democratic Party of Virginia. Jennifer Carrol Foy, Jennifer McClellan, Lee Carter, and Justin Fairfax participated in the debate.
Jennifer Carroll Foy started by talking about intimately understanding the challenges that Virginians face because she has faced them personally, noting she grew up in Petersburg, one of the poorest localities in the commonwealth. “I have gone without healthcare and I have worked minimum wage jobs,” she said in her introduction. “That’s what Virginians are looking for. Virginians want a governor who has walked in their shoes.”
“We need a new leader who will move Virginia forward and not back,” Carroll Foy continued. “And frankly, we need a leader who will show up, unlike Terry McAuliffe, who chose not to be here tonight.”
McAuliffe was the only Democratic candidate to not participate Tuesday night. The former governor has committed to participate in the four party-sanctioned debates that will take place between April and June, however.
Senator Jennifer McClellan started by citing her family history of experiencing racism in the south and how that helped mold her into the person she is now. “I come from a family of educators, domestic workers, and laborers that grew up in the Jim Crow South,” she said in her introduction. “Too many people are being left behind because their needs, their problems, and their perspectives are being ignored. That was true before COVID, it is even more true today. It is time to bring a new perspective to the governor’s office and the experience to deliver progressive change.”
Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax talked about the importance of making this election about the people. “We never want to lose sight of the fact there are people all over the Commonwealth of Virginia in this moment who are hurting and facing significant challenges in their lives,” he said during his introduction. “There are healthcare and economic issues but it also raises many of the issues around racial injustice and the inequalities that existed throughout the entire 400-year history of our commonwealth and nation.”
Delegate Lee Carter talked about why he got into politics and how his background is not typical for a politician. “I got involved in politics because I got hurt at work several years ago and it was that experience dealing with the Worker’s Compensation Commission that made me see firsthand that the systems that are supposed to protect working people have been eroded away by corporate interests for decades,” he said in his introduction. “So I took on a fight that the Democratic Party said was impossible and won.”
“I am the only candidate in this race who has never accepted a single contribution from a fossil fuel company, Carter continued. “I am the only candidate in this race who has never accepted a single contribution from organized police or big banks like Capital One.”
The candidates then answered questions for nearly two hours covering a wide range of topics. The debate can be viewed in full on Youtube or Facebook.
McAuliffe responded with the following statement to an inquiry about why he did not participate in Tuesday’s debate. “Since launching my campaign, I have been speaking directly with Virginians about my big, bold plans to rebuild our economy, create a more equitable Virginia, and move our Commonwealth forward. As governor, I will take bold action now to bolster our economy by accelerating the minimum wage increase to $15 by 2024, ensuring all Virginians have access to quality affordable healthcare, and raising teacher pay above the national average for the first time in Virginia history. I’m excited about the future of our Commonwealth and I look forward to continuing to engage directly with Virginians about what we will achieve together.”
. The first party-sanctioned debate takes place on April 6 and is hosted by WTVR in Richmond.
Delegate Jay Jones (D) Proposes Voter Protection & Election Integrity Unit for Office of Attorney General
Delegate Jay Jones today released a proposal that would establish a Voter Protection and Election Integrity Unit on behalf of the Attorney General’s Office. The Unit will proactively work to defend Virginians' right to vote, investigate instances of disenfranchisement, and educate at-risk communities of their rights to the ballot box. Delegate Jones released the following statement around the proposal:
“At long last, Virginia is making historic progress toward ensuring that the ability of our citizens to fulfill their civic duty and cast a ballot for the values and ideals of their choice becomes a true right to vote. Yet this progress will mean little if we don’t ensure that this ability is protected by our state government.
“Every single eligible Virginian should be able to register to vote and cast their ballot in each election without undue roadblocks, harassment, pressure or obstruction. That is why, as Attorney General, I will be proud to create Virginia’s very first dedicated Voter Protection and Election Integrity Unit within my new Civil Rights Division, staffed with experienced experts well versed in defending the right to vote and protecting the sanctity of our elections.
“The right to vote should be one of our most sacred civic ideals. But too often in our history, that right has only been treated as sacred for some. This new Voter Protection and Election Integrity Unit will be an important step on the path toward making that right sacred for all, while empowering all of our communities to make their voice heard in our democratic process.”
DELEGATE DAVE LAROCK ENDORSES WINSOME SEARS (R) FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Delegate Dave LaRock announced his endorsement of Winsome Sears in her candidacy to serve as the next Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. LaRock represents the 33rd District of the Virginia House of Delegates.
NORFOLK MAYOR KENNETH COOPER ALEXANDER ENDORSES ANDRIA MCCLELLAN FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Norfolk Councilmember and candidate for Virginia Lieutenant Governor Andria McClellan announced the endorsement from Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander, Ph.D., who previously served for 14 years in the Virginia General Assembly representing the 5th district in the Senate of Virginia and the 89th district in the House of Delegates, where he also served as Chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus.
“I have worked with Andria for years and I am pleased to endorse her for the role of Lieutenant Governor,” said Mayor Alexander. “Andria has been a leader throughout Norfolk, the Hampton Roads region and the Commonwealth on critical issues facing our community including expanding access to broadband, supporting small businesses and mitigating climate change and flooding. She is well known for her tenacity, work ethic, and solutions oriented approach to leadership. I know that she will never stop fighting for Virginians and ensuring an inclusive Virginia where everyone has access to opportunity and a safe, bright and prosperous future.”
Governor Northam Restores Civil Rights to Over 69,000 Virginians, Reforms Restoration of Rights Process
Governor Ralph Northam restored the civil rights of more than 69,000 Virginians on Tuesday using new eligibility criteria that mirror a proposed change to the Constitution of Virginia that would automatically restore voting rights to individuals upon completion of their sentence of incarceration.
Governor Northam announced that going forward, any Virginian released from incarceration will qualify to have their rights restored, even if they remain on community supervision. This change builds on a number of bipartisan reforms that have been made to the restoration of rights process over the last decade, including streamlining the application and eliminating the waiting period and the prerequisite that court costs and fees be paid prior to having one’s rights restored. With today’s announcement, Governor Northam has restored civil rights to more than 111,000 people since he took office.
“Too many of our laws were written during a time of open racism and discrimination, and they still bear the traces of inequity,” said Governor Northam. “We are a Commonwealth that believes in moving forward, not being tied down by the mistakes of our past. If we want people to return to our communities and participate in society, we must welcome them back fully—and this policy does just that.”
“While the Virginia NAACP is encouraged that the governor has restored the rights of over 69,000 Virginians, many of whom are Black and Brown, we remain steadfast in our campaign to secure and protect voting rights for all,” said Virginia State Conference NAACP President Robert N. Barnette, Jr.
Chase attacks McClellan over leadership in Black caucus - Associated Press
by Sarah Rankin
Amanda Chase, a Republican running for Virginia governor as a self-described “Trump in heels,” said at a campaign event that a fellow state senator seeking the Democratic nod in the race would not “be a governor that supports everyone” because of her leadership in the legislative Black caucus.
The remarks about state Sen. Jennifer McClellan came during a campaign event, which Chase said took place Monday night. A video clip was circulated online by Democratic super PAC American Bridge 21st Century.
Virginia gubernatorial candidate Cox hits Northam, McAuliffe amid parole board whistleblower suit - Fox News
Virginia gubernatorial candidate Kirk Cox, a Republican, is going after Gov. Ralph Northam and former governor and current gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe, as Northam's administration and a former McAuliffe appointee face accusations of wrongdoing over the state parole board.
"Members of Northam and McAuliffe's Parole Board violated the law, and then government entities up the chain of command appear to have attempted to cover up the true depth of the violations here, from the Inspector General to the Attorney General to Northam's Chief of Staff. With each development, we learn more about the poor leadership and lack of transparency," Cox told Fox News.
Joint Statement from Virginia Congresswomen Ahead of House Vote to Remove ERA Ratification Deadline
U.S. Representatives Elaine Luria (D-VA-02), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), and Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10) today released the following statement ahead of the U.S. House of Representatives voting to remove the ratification deadline on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the U.S. Constitution.
“Last year, we watched Virginia make history by becoming the 38th state in the union to ratify the ERA, hitting the federal threshold for ratification. This decades-long push was led by mothers, daughters, sisters, and granddaughters in the Commonwealth, and it is thanks to their efforts that Virginia holds a momentous chapter in the story of this movement.
“However, the outdated ratification deadline on the ERA still presents a major barrier to guaranteeing that all Americans — no matter their sex — are protected under our Constitution. Congress has the power to change this arbitrary expiration date, and today, we will vote on legislation that takes the long overdue step of repealing the deadline on ratification. There should be no deadline on equality.
“For more than 100 years, this fight to achieve equal protections under the law has been galvanized by the hard work and relentless commitment of women and men who never stopped believing in the promise of equality. Our three votes on this legislation are dedicated to the Virginians who organized, marched, and advocated for progress. We have faith that they will soon see ratification, and we — the three women of Virginia’s congressional delegation — are proud to take another step towards making the ERA the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”
The three Virginia Congresswomen are all original cosponsors of the resolution, H.J. Res. 17, which would remove the deadline for the ratification of the ERA.