Northam, Perriello face off in primary debate
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| Left to right: Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, moderator Tom Sherwood, and Tom Perriello. |
The
Democratic candidates for governor – Ralph Northam and Tom Perriello – faced
off in a debate April 29 that highlighted a few differences, on guns and proposed
pipelines, for example, but for the most part, the candidates presented similar views on most
issues.
Democratic candidates for governor – Ralph Northam and Tom Perriello – faced
off in a debate April 29 that highlighted a few differences, on guns and proposed
pipelines, for example, but for the most part, the candidates presented similar views on most
issues.
Both
came out strong against the Trump Administration.
came out strong against the Trump Administration.
Northam
vowed to “stand up to the narcissistic maniac on the other side of the Potomac
River” and “stand up against hate and recklessness.” He said it’s important to harness the energy of the resistance to restore a Democratic majority in the
statehouse.
vowed to “stand up to the narcissistic maniac on the other side of the Potomac
River” and “stand up against hate and recklessness.” He said it’s important to harness the energy of the resistance to restore a Democratic majority in the
statehouse.
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| Ralph Northam greets supporters before the debate. |
Perriello
said one of his main goals is to “fiercely resist the agenda of hate from the
Trump Administration.” He called Trump “the most overtly racist president” and
said he would not comply with any acts of the Trump Administration that are
unconstitutional.
said one of his main goals is to “fiercely resist the agenda of hate from the
Trump Administration.” He called Trump “the most overtly racist president” and
said he would not comply with any acts of the Trump Administration that are
unconstitutional.
Northam,
the current lieutenant governor who had served in the Virginia Senate (2008-14),
clearly has more experience in government and has been endorsed by Virginia’s governor and two senators, and Democratic leaders in the statehouse. Perriello served one term
in the U.S. Congress (2009-11), representing the Charlottesville area, and later
served in the Obama Administration as a special envoy to Africa.
the current lieutenant governor who had served in the Virginia Senate (2008-14),
clearly has more experience in government and has been endorsed by Virginia’s governor and two senators, and Democratic leaders in the statehouse. Perriello served one term
in the U.S. Congress (2009-11), representing the Charlottesville area, and later
served in the Obama Administration as a special envoy to Africa.
“People
want someone who knows how to win,” said Northam, noting that he was elected to the Senate in
a conservative district in the Tidewater area. As an example of his ability to
work with both sides of the aisle, he touted his success in taking on the tobacco
industry when he secured passage of a bill banning smoking in restaurants.
want someone who knows how to win,” said Northam, noting that he was elected to the Senate in
a conservative district in the Tidewater area. As an example of his ability to
work with both sides of the aisle, he touted his success in taking on the tobacco
industry when he secured passage of a bill banning smoking in restaurants.
The
winner of the Democratic primary will be on the ballot in November,
along with the winner of the Republican primary, who is most
likely to be Ed Gillespie, former chair of the Republican National Committee. Both primary elections are June 13.
winner of the Democratic primary will be on the ballot in November,
along with the winner of the Republican primary, who is most
likely to be Ed Gillespie, former chair of the Republican National Committee. Both primary elections are June 13.
The
debate, at Sidney Lanier Middle School in Fairfax, was moderated by NBC4 political
reporter Tom Sherwood and was sponsored by the Fairfax County Democratic Committee
and the Virginia chapter of Emerge USA. Here’s what the candidates said on several key issues:
debate, at Sidney Lanier Middle School in Fairfax, was moderated by NBC4 political
reporter Tom Sherwood and was sponsored by the Fairfax County Democratic Committee
and the Virginia chapter of Emerge USA. Here’s what the candidates said on several key issues:
Economy
Both
candidates support raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
candidates support raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
Northern
Virginia and Hampton Roads have been too dependent on the military and
government contracting, so the economy needs to be diversified, Northam said,
citing such areas for growth as cybersecurity, biotechnology, data collection,
and unmanned aerial systems.
Virginia and Hampton Roads have been too dependent on the military and
government contracting, so the economy needs to be diversified, Northam said,
citing such areas for growth as cybersecurity, biotechnology, data collection,
and unmanned aerial systems.
Perriello
spoke about making higher education affordable and supporting workforce
development programs at community colleges. That’s an investment that drives
growth, he said, while investing in corporations “creates consolidation that stifles
growth.”
spoke about making higher education affordable and supporting workforce
development programs at community colleges. That’s an investment that drives
growth, he said, while investing in corporations “creates consolidation that stifles
growth.”
Guns
As
a pediatric neurosurgeon who treated toddlers with gunshot wounds, Northam said he has seen the damage caused by gun violence first hand. He called
for more restrictions on guns, including a ban on assault weapons, universal
background checks, and limiting gun purchases to one a month.
a pediatric neurosurgeon who treated toddlers with gunshot wounds, Northam said he has seen the damage caused by gun violence first hand. He called
for more restrictions on guns, including a ban on assault weapons, universal
background checks, and limiting gun purchases to one a month.
Perriello,
who in the past had a positive rating from the National Rifle Association, called
the NRA “an organization of survivalists” and a “nut job.” He supports stricter background checks and vowed to continue Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s
practice of vetoing “terrible legislation that makes gun laws more permissive
and communities less safe.”
who in the past had a positive rating from the National Rifle Association, called
the NRA “an organization of survivalists” and a “nut job.” He supports stricter background checks and vowed to continue Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s
practice of vetoing “terrible legislation that makes gun laws more permissive
and communities less safe.”
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| Tom Perriello (left) speaks to audience members after the debate. |
Education
Northam
called for higher pay for teachers, more funding for prekindergarten and school
support staff, and reform of standardized testing.
called for higher pay for teachers, more funding for prekindergarten and school
support staff, and reform of standardized testing.
Perriello
favors moving from a K12 to a preK14 approach to include universal preschool
and two years of tuition-free higher education, such as trade school or community college.
Considering the economic benefit of having two years of postsecondary
education, he said the return on investment to taxpayers is $400,000 on a $10,000
investment.
favors moving from a K12 to a preK14 approach to include universal preschool
and two years of tuition-free higher education, such as trade school or community college.
Considering the economic benefit of having two years of postsecondary
education, he said the return on investment to taxpayers is $400,000 on a $10,000
investment.
When
Sherwood asked about their positions on a 25 percent limit of out-of-state
students at Virginia state-supported colleges, both candidates agreed that
Virginia residents should have a priority in admissions. That isn’t happening
now, Northam said, because the state is underfunding higher education.
Sherwood asked about their positions on a 25 percent limit of out-of-state
students at Virginia state-supported colleges, both candidates agreed that
Virginia residents should have a priority in admissions. That isn’t happening
now, Northam said, because the state is underfunding higher education.
Northam
recommended that students receive free tuition at community colleges in return
for spending one year in public service. Perriello said free tuition should be seen as an
investment, not a handout.
recommended that students receive free tuition at community colleges in return
for spending one year in public service. Perriello said free tuition should be seen as an
investment, not a handout.
Abortion
Perriello
said he strongly supports women’s right to choose, saying they need “meaningful
and affordable access to that right.” That right should be in the Virginia
Constitution, he said, vowing to be a “brick wall” against the antiabortion bills introduced in the
General Assembly.
said he strongly supports women’s right to choose, saying they need “meaningful
and affordable access to that right.” That right should be in the Virginia
Constitution, he said, vowing to be a “brick wall” against the antiabortion bills introduced in the
General Assembly.
Northam
noted that he led the fight in the Senate against the “personhood” bill, transvaginal exams,
and other anti-abortion bills. “These pieces of legislation are to shame a
woman in a decision that should be between her, her doctor, and her partner,” he said.
noted that he led the fight in the Senate against the “personhood” bill, transvaginal exams,
and other anti-abortion bills. “These pieces of legislation are to shame a
woman in a decision that should be between her, her doctor, and her partner,” he said.
Environment
“Watching
the demise of the Chesapeake Bay is what drove me to politics,” Northam said.
During his time in Richmond, he supported funding to restore the health of the
bay and opposed offshore oil drilling, fracking, and uranium mining.
the demise of the Chesapeake Bay is what drove me to politics,” Northam said.
During his time in Richmond, he supported funding to restore the health of the
bay and opposed offshore oil drilling, fracking, and uranium mining.
Regarding
the two natural gas pipelines proposed by Dominion Virginia Power, he said if the
pipelines are built, it should be done “with transparency and science.”
the two natural gas pipelines proposed by Dominion Virginia Power, he said if the
pipelines are built, it should be done “with transparency and science.”
Perriello
opposes the pipelines. He called climate change “the existential threat of our
time” and urged massive increases in monitoring clean air and water at the
state level.
opposes the pipelines. He called climate change “the existential threat of our
time” and urged massive increases in monitoring clean air and water at the
state level.
Both
candidates spoke about the need to promote renewable energy.
candidates spoke about the need to promote renewable energy.
Donations
Sherwood
noted that Northam has been criticized for accepting donations from Dominion Power,
while most of Perriello’s campaign funds are from a few wealthy donors. Northam charged Perriello had received funds from the NRA in the past, and Perriello said he is not accepting donations from the NRA during this campaign.
noted that Northam has been criticized for accepting donations from Dominion Power,
while most of Perriello’s campaign funds are from a few wealthy donors. Northam charged Perriello had received funds from the NRA in the past, and Perriello said he is not accepting donations from the NRA during this campaign.
Both
called for comprehensive reforms in campaign financing. Perriello said
state-regulated monopolies should not be allowed to contribute to candidates
and said his refusal to take money from Dominion is a chance to break the
utility’s “stranglehold preventing clean energy jobs.”
