June 10th, 2013
This Tuesday, June 11th, polls will be open from 6am to 7pm. Will you be there? Virginia’s Democrats head to the polls today to choose their nominees for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General.
Still undecided? Read on for statements from each candidate.
Need to find your polling place? Check out Virginia’s Polling Place Lookup tool.
Lieutenant Governor
Candidates listed in ballot order
Ralph Northam
Ralph Northam has served in the Virginia State Senate for six years and is respected as a straight talker and tenacious policymaker. As a US Army doctor who cared for our troops during Operation Desert Storm, Ralph Northam has seen what military-style assault weapons do to the human body. As a pediatric neurologist, he has sat at the bedside of children who have been shot and told parents that their children will not survive. He is the only candidate for statewide office talking about these issues because he knows it is time to get assault weapons off our streets.
As a tireless advocate for women’s rights and the only doctor in the Senate, Ralph Northam earned the friendship and endorsement of Senator Barbara Favola. Ralph has stood up to Ken Cuccinelli and the radical Republicans efforts to curtail women’s access to healthcare and he is the chief patron of the bill to repeal the mandatory ultrasound law. He has a proven record of navigating Virginia’s legislative process and has the experience necessary to protect Virginians’ values as Lieutenant Governor.
http://www.northamforlg.com
Aneesh Chopra
I’m running for Lt. Governor because I believe that Virginia’s best days are ahead of us. I’m running because I believe that we can turn the page on the extreme politics of the last four years and build a more inclusive and prosperous Commonwealth.
As Lt. Governor, I will use every tool available to stop the radical Republican agenda that attacks women and minorities. I will use the tie-breaking vote to advance our Democratic principals. I commit to being a full-time Lt. Governor, and I will be a champion for new ideas. I will work tirelessly to bring new jobs to every part of Virginia, and ensure that workers are prepared for those jobs with affordable and accessible job training and education programs.
My experience serving in Governor Tim Kaine’s cabinet, and serving as the first Chief Technology Officer of the United States for President Barack Obama have prepared me to make a real difference on day one. I know that we can return Virginia to the path to prosperity — where we make good on the promise that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can succeed. We’ve done it before with Governors Warner and Kaine, and we will do it again.
If you believe, like I do, that we need new energy and new ideas in Richmond, I ask for your vote on Tuesday. If you believe, like I do, that we must be a more inclusive Commonwealth, I ask for your vote. Together, we will move Virginia forward.
http://www.teamchopra.org
Attorney General
Candidates listed in ballot order
Mark Herring
Throughout this campaign, I have laid out a vision for the Attorney General’s office that is far different than what we’ve seen from Ken Cuccinelli over the last four years. I’m asking for your support on June 11th because I can beat Republican Attorney General candidate Mark Obenshain in the Fall and I can turn around the Attorney General’s office starting on day one. I have a record of fighting for our shared Democratic values in the State Senate. As your Attorney General you can trust that I will focus on protecting all Virginians and put the law first.
I will defend a woman’s right to make her own personal decisions about her health care and I am proud to have been endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia PAC. I will work to prevent gun violence by pushing for universal background checks for gun purchases, protect the right to vote by working to repeal unfair voter ID laws and I will use the powers of the office to promote equality for all Virginians.
I have received tremendous support in Arlington from current and former elected officials like Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, Sen. Barbara Favola, Del. Bob Brink, Del. Patrick Hope, Del. Alfonso Lopez, Board Member Jay Fisette, Board Member Walter Tejada, Clerk of Court Paul Ferguson, Commissioner of Revenue Ingrid Morroy and School Board Member Noah Simon.
I am honored to have their support and I hope I can earn yours in the Democratic primary on June 11.
http://www.herringforag.com
Justin Fairfax
Virginia needs a new kind of Attorney General who will fight for security and opportunity for all Virginians and who will protect our constitutional rights. I will be that Attorney General. That’s why I have been endorsed by the Washington Post, which noted my “agile and impressive command of the issues” and “prosecutor’s passion for justice.”
As the only prosecutor in the race, I have the high-level legal experience that equips me to protect Virginia’s families, businesses and government. I served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, prosecuting federal crimes in the Major Crimes and Narcotics Unit and serving as Deputy of the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force. I have prosecuted violent and financial crimes against our citizens and fraud against our government.
As the next Attorney General, I will protect the rights of all Virginians. I will conduct constitutional reviews of the TRAP regulations and of the photo voter ID bill. I will also fight to protect homeowners from mortgage market abuses and protect students seeking higher education loans.
Virginia’s families deserve a champion. As the next Attorney General, I will fight to ensure that we have more economic security and opportunity for our families and that all of our citizens are treated equally under the law, no matter where they’re born, what their last name is, or who they love. Stand with me on June 11 and let’s welcome a new day in Virginia.
http://www.justinfairfax.com