State of Virginia Archives: on Government Reform
Ed Gillespie:
Paid $27M in lobbying fees in early 2000s
Since its founding by Gillespie and former Clinton White House counsel Jack Quinn in 2000, the firm Quinn-Gillespie's has collected $27.4 million in lobbying fees, including: - Enron, $700,000
-
Stand Up for Steel, $760,000
- USEC Inc. (uranium production), $957,000
- Tyson Foods, $440,000
- Viacom, $720,000
- British Columbia Lumber Trade Council, $1.78 million
-
SBC Communications, $1.24 million
- DirecTV, $1.24 million
- Network Advertising Initiative, $920,000
- Microsoft, $820,000
-
PricewaterhouseCoopers, $1.35 million
- DaimlerChrysler, more than $1 million
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce, $860,000
Source: Public Citizen Congress Watch on 2014 Virginia Senate race
Jun 1, 2003
Don Beyer:
18-year term limits for Supreme Court justices
The idea of altering the current life tenure of the nine justices is not new: It has been proposed by many legal scholars in a number of forms in the last decade. The justices work largely in secrecy and, as unelected elites, they are often isolated from
the daily lives of the millions of people whose lives they affect. On top of this, they have little accountability and serve as long as they like.In recent decades, the average tenure has been 26 years. Some critics call the Court's system "the
framers' mistake." Many believe that this was not something intended or envisioned by the Founding Fathers and have called on Congress to amend the Constitution.
The proposal I endorse is staggered 18-year terms. Every two years, the president would
appoint a justice, so that a one-term president would name two Supreme Court justice. There are myriad solutions for these justices' life tenures, such as completing their work on a federal court once their 18-year tour is through.
Source: 2014 Virginia House campaign website, FriendsOfDonBeyer.com
Nov 4, 2014
George Allen:
Judges shouldn't invent law or impose their political views
The General Assembly blocked a gay judicial nominee's appointment to the bench: veteran prosecutor Tracy Thorne-Begland, who came out as gay as a naval officer 20 years ago. [Opponents say he] was unfit for the bench because he had challenged the
military's ban on gays openly serving in the military, and lives with a partner.George Allen sought to align himself with Gov. Robert McDonnell, who objected to anti-gay discrimination in principle but refused to take a position on whether it had
played a role in Thorne-Begland's rejection. "I agree with Gov. McDonnell that judicial qualifications, not sexual orientation, should be the criteria for judicial selection," Allen's statement said. "Decisions on judges should be merit-based selections
based on a person's skill, judicial temperament, and fidelity to the Constitution and laws--judges should apply the law, not invent it or impose their own political views."
A spokesman for Tim Kaine has equated Thorne-Begland's rejection to discriminat
Source: Washington Post on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 21, 2012
George Allen:
Sexual orientation not a factor in judges' qualifications
Allen distanced himself from the rest of the field on whether a homosexual could serve as a judge. All four denounced activist judges, but only Allen said a person's sexual orientation should not be a factor in determining qualification for the
bench. "Judges when I look at them, I look at what are their qualifications," Allen said. "Sexual orientation is not a criteria for disqualifying."But he declined to say whether he supported the successful effort by state
Del. Bob Marshall, another Senate candidate, to block a gay Richmond prosecutor from a district judgeship earlier this month. "It's funny, I didn't hear an answer from our colleague,"
Marshall said. "I've already done it. You've seen it in the papers. It's quite easy to stand here and say you will do and not do things."
Source: Washington Examiner on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 25, 2012
Jamie Radtke:
Line-item veto to get rid of earmark spending
Radtke argued that Allen's declared support for a presidential line-item veto and a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution ring hollow. Shortly after Allen said that a line-item veto could help curb the excesses of congressional spending,
Radtke said, "It's great to talk about the line-item veto. We could have maybe gotten rid of the 52,000 earmarks that George Allen voted for." Allen said the country's economic and fiscal climate is different than it was when he voted for debt limit
increases during his Senate term. "The credit-worthiness of America for the first time in our history has been downgraded. The annual deficits are now over a trillion dollars every single year. When I left the U.S.
Senate, the annual deficit was about $160 billion."Radtke said she intends to continue pressing the issue for the duration of the primary campaign.
Source: The Virginian-Pilot on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Apr 29, 2012
Jamie Radtke:
No more blank checks for Congress
The Republican primary is June 12th. The nominee will face former Governor Tim Kaine in the general election this November. "Virginians are demanding no more blank checks for
Congress, no more political cronyism and no more half measures that do nothing to solve our fiscal crisis," said Radtke.
Source: WSET-TV Lynchburg on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Apr 28, 2012
Jamie Radtke:
FactCheck: Yes, George Allen voted for 52,000 earmarks
Jamie Radtke said: "It's great to talk about the line item veto. We could have maybe gotten rid of the 52,000 earmarks that George Allen voted for." The Citizens Against Government and Waste has determined there were
52,319 earmarks in the budgets that Allen voted for while he was in the Senate.
Radtke's claim ignores that Allen did not vote for each earmark individually. They were attached to about four dozen major appropriations bills
Allen supported during his time in the Senate.
Even critics of earmarks don't entirely blame Allen for voting for appropriations bills that kept the government operating. As we have previously said,
Radtke's statement is accurate but requires clarification. We have rated it Mostly True.
Source: PolitiFact.com 2012 Senate FactCheck: Virginia debate
Apr 30, 2012
Jamie Radtke:
Country's biggest problem is activist judges
On the Virginia General Assembly's late-night vote to reject judicial nominee Tracy Thorne-Begland, a Richmond prosecutor who raises twin children with his same-sex partner, Allen offered subtle differences.Marshall, who led the House fight against
Thorne-Begland's confirmation, said he opposed the nominee because as a Navy officer 20 years ago, Thorne-Begland spoke out on national television against the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military just put in place by
President Bill Clinton.
Radtke, like Marshall, said Thorne-Begland would have brought an activist gay agenda to the bench. "The biggest problem we have in the country right now is activist judges,"
she said, noting that a federal judge had overturned a statewide California referendum that outlawed gay marriage.
Source: 4-NBC Washington on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 26, 2012
Ken Cuccinelli:
Photo ID for voting
Question topic: States should require voters to show photo identification and prove citizenship in order to register to vote or to cast a vote.
Cuccinelli: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2013 Virginia Governor campaign
Jul 2, 2014
Ralph Northam:
Make absentee voting easier
Yesterday, Governor-elect Northam and I stood together and outlined several pieces of legislation that we hope the new General Assembly will pass this year. They include:- Reducing obstacles to voting by doing away with barriers to absentee
voting.
- Closing a loophole in our ethics laws by prohibiting the personal use of campaign funds.
- Giving Virginians the tools to manage student debt and hold predatory lenders accountable by passing a Borrower's Bill of Rights.
Source: Terry McAuliffe's 2018 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 10, 2018
Ralph Northam:
Finally allow no-excuse absentee voting
As we approach the anniversary of the first representative General Assembly in the New World, we have a responsibility to the full and true exercise of democracy.
In this day and age, that means ensuring the elimination of unnecessary and prohibitive barriers to voting. I'm proposing we finally allow no-excuse absentee voting.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Virginia legislature
Jan 9, 2019
Robert Sarvis:
No limit on campaign contributions; limit government instead
Q: Do you support limits on the following types of contributions to candidates for state government: Individual?A: No.
Q: Political Action Committee?
A: No.
Q: Corporate?
A: No.
Q: Political Party?
A: No.
Q: Should candidates for state office be encouraged to meet voluntary spending limits??
A: No.
Q: Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information??
A: Yes.
Regarding campaign-finance restrictions, if there is too much money in politics, it's because there is too much money being parceled out by government, creating the incentive for the lobbying/rent-seeking that produces such campaign-finance largesse.
The solution is not limited campaign finance but LIMITED GOVERNMENT.
Source: Virginia State Legislative 2011 PVS Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2011
Nick Freitas:
Use originalism to faithfully interpret Constitutional text
The U.S. Constitution is not a list of suggestions, but a contract between the people and their government.
Representatives must actively demonstrate their support for these documents by using originalism to faithfully interpret its text.
Source: 2018 Virginia Senate campaign website Nick4Senate.com
Mar 3, 2018
Terry McAuliffe:
$100 cap on gifts to public officials & families
On my first day in office I honored a campaign promise and placed a $100 cap on gifts that can be given to myself, my family, members of my administration, and their families. I am confident that by the time we adjourn, we will have made a $100 cap on
all gifts the standard for all Virginia public officials. With that gift cap, we should also establish a bipartisan ethics review commission with real investigative powers to offer guidance on the law and identify and sanction those who violate it.
I also hope you will pass my proposal to prohibit fundraising activity both in regular and special sessions. Right now, the only thing that makes special sessions special is that we can still raise money.
Additionally, this session is our opportunity to adopt the commonsense position that people who sit on boards or commissions should be prohibited from voting on matters that benefit themselves, their family members or their business partners.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 Virginia Legislature
Jan 14, 2015
Terry McAuliffe:
Make absentee voting easier
Yesterday, Governor-elect Northam and I stood together and outlined several pieces of legislation that we hope the new General Assembly will pass this year. They include:- Reducing obstacles to voting by doing away with barriers to absentee
voting.
- Closing a loophole in our ethics laws by prohibiting the personal use of campaign funds.
- Giving Virginians the tools to manage student debt and hold predatory lenders accountable by passing a Borrower's Bill of Rights.
Source: 2018 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 10, 2018
Donald McEachin:
Automatic voter registration to expand the right to vote
Donald will:- support automatic voter registration and other efforts to protect and expand the right to vote
-
pursue meaningful campaign finance reforms that strengthen the voices of ordinary citizens while reducing dark money groups' vast influence over the course of our democracy
Source: 2016 Virginia House campaign website DonaldMcEachin.com
Nov 8, 2016
Terry McAuliffe:
Photo ID law made it significantly harder to vote
Any effort to build a stronger economy and society must begin with giving as many Virginians as possible a full voice in that society. Unfortunately, here in Virginia and across the nation, too many laws have been passed that are designed
to restrict access to democracy rather than expand it.When it was passed, our photo ID law made it significantly harder for many Virginians to vote, without any evidence that voter fraud is a problem in Virginia.
And so this year I hope we will repeal it.
I will also submit legislation this session to allow no-excuse in-person absentee voting, and to add a new excuse for absentee by-mail for child caregivers.
These reforms are based on a simple principle: That Virginia is strongest when we are working together to make it easier to vote, not harder.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Virginia Legislature
Jan 11, 2017
Corey Stewart:
Opposes regulation of campaign donations
Q: Campaign Finance: Require political ads to disclose their largest funders? Stand on Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited corporate political donations?Tim Kaine (D): Yes. Introduced 2017 Disclose Act to disclose major campaign funders.
Reverse Citizens United, saying erodes democracy & undermines elections.
Corey Stewart (R): No public statement found on Disclose Act. Opposes regulation of campaign donations.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Tim Kaine:
Expand early voting & general ballot access
Q: Voting Rights: Support Governor McAuliffe's restoring felon voting rights?Tim Kaine (D): Yes. Supported. Also expand early voting & general ballot access.
Corey Stewart (R): No public statement found.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Tim Kaine:
Reverse Citizens United; it erodes democracy
Q: Campaign Finance: Require political ads to disclose their largest funders? Stand on Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited corporate political donations?Tim Kaine (D): Yes. Introduced 2017 Disclose Act to disclose major campaign funders.
Reverse Citizens United, saying erodes democracy & undermines elections.
Corey Stewart (R): No public statement found on Disclose Act. Opposes regulation of campaign donations.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Virginia Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Ralph Northam:
End unnecessary restrictions: no-excuse absentee ballots
Voting is the most fundamental action a citizen can take in a democracy. Choosing leaders and holding them accountable is how citizens shape the future for all of us.
If we really believe in a system where the people are in charge, we should work together to eliminate barriers to the ballot box instead of building them higher.
Unfortunately, Virginia law imposes many onerous and unnecessary restrictions on voting that discourage participation for many people.
Let's reverse that troubling trend by passing no-excuse absentee voting, so more people can have a say in their
future without jumping through unnecessary hoops. This commonsense reform will make voting easier, reduce lines on Election Day and send a simple message that in Virginia, we want more voters, not fewer.
Source: 2018 State of the State speech to Virginia legislature
Jan 16, 2018
Amanda Chase:
Champion of small, limited government
Amanda Chase is champion of small government and allowing you to keep more of your own money. She consistently opposed all tax and fee increases, has voted against government takeover of healthcare and every year since she took office, she has
introduced term limit legislation to stop career politicians. Amanda is also a staunch defender of religious freedom who supports legislation that would put our national motto "In God We Trust" in public schools.
Source: 2020 Virginia Senate campaign website Chase4senate.com
Apr 15, 2020
Daniel Gade:
Government overreach is tyranny
We must return to a fiscally responsible government that promotes individual freedom. Powers not given to the federal government explicitly in the Constitution are reserved to the people or to the States.
Government overreach should be called what it is: tyranny. It's past time to rein in government overreach and return to Constitutional government.
Source: 2020 Virginia Senate campaign website GadeForVirginia.com
Dec 25, 2019
Daniel Gade:
Make Congress members put investments in blind trust
Gade announced his first course of action will be the introduction of the Stop Insider Trading Act. "Using your official position for private gain, whether you're a Republican or Democrat, is an egregious abuse of public office," said Gade.
The Act will require all Members of Congress to place their investment portfolio in a blind trust. Gade's legislation will prohibit Members of Congress from using information received from their official duties for personal benefit.
Source: 2020 Virginia Senate campaign website GadeForVirginia.com
Mar 23, 2020
Ralph Northam:
We need to make it easier to vote, not harder
We need to make it easier for people to participate in their government. There's no more fundamental way to do that, than to vote. We need to make it easier to vote, not harder. One, no excuses required to vote absentee. The government shouldn't have to
okay your reason for needing to vote early. And then, we need to make Election Day a holiday. We can do it by ending the Lee-Jackson holiday that Virginia holds a week from Friday. It commemorates a lost cause. It's time to move on.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
Ralph Northam:
$12 million into natural resources agencies
We're also putting nearly $12 million into water quality, air quality, and land conservation initiatives at natural resources agencies. This includes DEQ staffing to make sure the permitting process is more robust and thorough.
These are important investments to ensure that we don't fall behind in protecting these critical assets, and ensuring that DEQ can continue to protect our natural areas.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Virginia legislature
Jan 13, 2021
Ralph Northam:
Amend constitution so that ex-cons can vote automatically
Virginia is one of just a few remaining states where, if you have a felony conviction, someone has to act to restore your civil rights to vote or run for office. You shouldn't have to ask for your basic civil rights to be restored.
I'm proposing to change Virginia's constitution to make that process automatic. If we want people to return to their communities and participate in society, we need to welcome them back fully. It's wrong to keep punishing people forever.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Virginia legislature
Jan 13, 2021
Jennifer Carroll Foy:
Limit state political contributions to federal limits
We must institute limits on individual political contributions that mirror the federal limit, which stood at $2,900 per election to candidate committees in the 2019-2020 cycle, with a mechanism to index that limit for inflation.Virginia also permits
corporations to make unlimited political donations. It's time to level the playing field and ban such corporate contributions entirely. Large companies with massive financial resources shouldn't get an elevated seat at the table, which is why the FEC
prohibits such donations in federal elections. We must join them so our elections can put Virginians first, rather than massive multinational companies.
Virginia has one of the weaker cooling off periods in the nation, banning elected officials from
lobbying their former colleagues for only one year after leaving office. By extending this one year cooling off period to five years, we will slow the revolving door between state lawmakers and the lobbying sector and strengthen good governance.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign site JenniferCarrollFoy.com
Feb 21, 2021
Amanda Chase:
Introduced term limits to stop career politicians
Amanda Chase consistently opposed all tax and fee increases, has voted against government takeover of healthcare and every year since she took office, she has introduced term limit legislation to stop career politicians.
She will continue to be a tireless advocate for limited, transparent and fiscally responsible government.
Source: 2021 Virginia Governor campaign website Chase4Senate.com
Dec 13, 2020
Pete Snyder:
For photo ID at polls; witnesses for absentee ballots
Snyder announced his comprehensive election integrity plan, called "Honest Vote: Snyder's Election Integrity Plan."The six pillars of Honest Vote:- Accountability: Guarantee access for all campaigns to the entire voting process.
-
Photo ID at the Polls
- Signature Match signature and witness requirements for absentee ballots.
- Up-to-Date Voter Rolls
- Protect U.S. Citizenship.
- Establish Voter Fraud Reporting Portal and Hotline
Source: 2021 Virginia Governor campaign website PeteSnyder.com
Mar 22, 2021
Daniel Gade:
For REINS Act: Congress must approve agency regulations
He says he would support the REINS Act, a proposal intended to cut down on regulation by requiring congressional
approval of major agency regulations before they can be implemented.
Source: Alexandria Gazette on 2020 Virginia Senate race
Jun 4, 2020
Pete Snyder:
Against on-again-off-again regulations on small business
The CEO of a capital investment firm, Snyder said that the state government's response to the coronavirus pandemic was the top reason he jumped into the race. He criticized Virginia's relatively slow rollout of testing at the start of the pandemic,
what he called "on-again-off-again" regulations on small businesses, and the fact that many school districts have not returned to in-person instruction.
Source: Associated Press on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race
Jan 26, 2021
Jennifer McClellan:
Led successful fight to restore voting rights in Virginia
Marcia Price and Jennifer McClelland worked to pass the state's voting rights act to restore the protections to Virginians that were lost when the federal act was gutted by the Supreme Court in 2013. Governor Northam signed the bill into law earlier
this month. For Senator McClellan, this fight is personal. "I remember when the first Voter ID law made it to the House floor [in 2013]," McClellan said. "I told the story of my grandfather who had to take a literacy test to register to vote."
Source: Black Wall Street Times on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race
Apr 28, 2021
Amanda Chase:
Disallow no-excuse absentee voting for all elections
Legislative Summary:HB1: Permits any registered voter to vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he is qualified to vote. The bill removes the current list of statutory reasons under which a person may be entitled to vote by
absentee ballot.Analysis by Blue Virginia:The Virginia House Democratic Caucus eagerly anticipate their new laws making voting more accessible. These pieces of legislation include creating a permanent absentee vote-by-mail program,
removing the excuse requirement for absentee voting, enacting same-day registration, establishing Election Day as a state holiday...
Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 25-15-0 on Feb/24/20; State Sen. Amanda Chase voted NO; Passed House 62-34-4 on Feb/26/20; Signed by Governor Ralph Northam on Apr/11/20
Source: BlueVirginia.US on Virginia voting records HB1
Feb 24, 2020
Creigh Deeds:
Allow no-excuse absentee voting for all elections
Legislative Summary:HB1: Permits any registered voter to vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he is qualified to vote. The bill removes the current list of statutory reasons under which a person may be entitled to vote by
absentee ballot.Analysis by Blue Virginia:The Virginia House Democratic Caucus eagerly anticipate their new laws making voting more accessible. These pieces of legislation include creating a permanent absentee vote-by-mail program,
removing the excuse requirement for absentee voting, enacting same-day registration, establishing Election Day as a state holiday...
Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 25-15-0 on Feb/24/20; State Sen. Creigh Deeds voted YES; Passed House 62-34-4 on Feb/26/20; Signed by Governor Ralph Northam on Apr/11/20
Source: BlueVirginia.US on Virginia voting records HB1
Apr 24, 2020
Jennifer McClellan:
Allow no-excuse absentee voting for all elections
Legislative Summary:HB1: Permits any registered voter to vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he is qualified to vote. The bill removes the current list of statutory reasons under which a person may be entitled to vote by
absentee ballot.Analysis by Blue Virginia:The Virginia House Democratic Caucus eagerly anticipate their new laws making voting more accessible. These pieces of legislation include creating a permanent absentee vote-by-mail program,
removing the excuse requirement for absentee voting, enacting same-day registration, establishing Election Day as a state holiday...
Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 25-15-0 on Feb/24/20; State Sen. Jennifer McClellan co-sponsored and voted YES; Passed House 62-34-4 on Feb/26/20; Signed by Governor Ralph Northam on Apr/11/20
Source: BlueVirginia.US on Virginia voting records HB1
Feb 24, 2020
Lee Carter:
Allow no-excuse absentee voting for all elections
Legislative Summary:HB1: Permits any registered voter to vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he is qualified to vote. The bill removes the current list of statutory reasons under which a person may be entitled to vote by
absentee ballot.Analysis by Blue Virginia:The Virginia House Democratic Caucus eagerly anticipate their new laws making voting more accessible. These pieces of legislation include creating a permanent absentee vote-by-mail program,
removing the excuse requirement for absentee voting, enacting same-day registration, establishing Election Day as a state holiday...
Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 25-15-0 on Feb/24/20; Passed House 62-34-4 on Feb/26/20; State Del. Lee Carter co-sponsored and voted YES; Signed by Governor Ralph Northam on Apr/11/20
Source: BlueVirginia.US on Virginia voting records HB1
Feb 26, 2020
Nick Freitas:
Allow no-excuse absentee voting for all elections
Legislative Summary:HB1: Permits any registered voter to vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he is qualified to vote. The bill removes the current list of statutory reasons under which a person may be entitled to vote by
absentee ballot.Analysis by Blue Virginia:The Virginia House Democratic Caucus eagerly anticipate their new laws making voting more accessible. These pieces of legislation include creating a permanent absentee vote-by-mail program,
removing the excuse requirement for absentee voting, enacting same-day registration, establishing Election Day as a state holiday...
Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 25-15-0 on Feb/24/20; Passed House 62-34-4 on Feb/26/20; State Del. Nick Freitas voted YES; Signed by Governor Ralph Northam on Apr/11/20
Source: BlueVirginia.US on Virginia voting records HB1
Feb 26, 2020
Ralph Northam:
Allow no-excuse absentee voting for all elections
Legislative Summary:HB1: Permits any registered voter to vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he is qualified to vote. The bill removes the current list of statutory reasons under which a person may be entitled to vote by
absentee ballot.Analysis by Blue Virginia:The Virginia House Democratic Caucus eagerly anticipate their new laws making voting more accessible. These pieces of legislation include creating a permanent absentee vote-by-mail program,
removing the excuse requirement for absentee voting, enacting same-day registration, establishing Election Day as a state holiday...
Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 25-15-0 on Feb/24/20; Passed House 62-34-4 on Feb/26/20; Signed by Governor Ralph Northam on Apr/11/20
Source: BlueVirginia.US on Virginia voting records HB1
Apr 11, 2021
Jen Kiggans:
Disallow no-excuse absentee voting for all elections
Legislative Summary: HB1: Permits any registered voter to vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he is qualified to vote. The bill removes the current list of statutory reasons under which a person may be entitled to vote by
absentee ballot.Analysis by Blue Virginia: The Virginia House Democratic Caucus eagerly anticipate their new laws making voting more accessible.
These pieces of legislation include creating a permanent absentee vote-by-mail program, removing the excuse requirement for absentee voting, enacting same-day registration, establishing Election Day as a state holiday...
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 25-15-0 on Feb/24/20; State Sen. Jen Kiggans voted NO; Passed House 62-34-4 on Feb/26/20; Signed by Governor Ralph Northam on Apr/11/20
Source: BlueVirginia.US on Virginia voting records HB1
Feb 24, 2020
Kirk Cox:
Wants to cut regulations across the board at state agencies
[On deregulation]: "One of the things I did work with Governor Northam on my first year as speaker was that we cut regulations for the Department of Professional and Occupational Licensing and the Department of Criminal Justice Services,"
Cox said, adding that as governor he would like to do that "across the board with various agencies."
Source: Charlottesville Tomorrow on 2021 Virginia Governor race
May 6, 2021
Terry McAuliffe:
Grant voting rights to 200,000 released convicted felons
Virginia is granting more than 200,000 convicted felons the right to vote in the November elections, part of a large-scale effort Gov. Terry McAuliffe says is intended to reverse the state's long history of suppressing the voting rights of
African-Americans.The move, part of an executive order, expands voting rights to every Virginia felon who has completed their sentences and any parole or probation. It will also allow ex-offenders to run for public office, to serve on a jury, and to
become a notary public.
The denial of rights has a particularly bitter history in Virginia, the governor says. "Too often in both our distant and recent history, politicians have used their authority to restrict people's ability to participate in
our democracy," he said in a statement. "Today we are reversing that disturbing trend and restoring the rights of more than 200,000 of our fellow Virginians, who work, raise families and pay taxes in every corner of our Commonwealth."
Source: Christian Science Monitor on 2017 Virginia governor race
Apr 22, 2016
Glenn Youngkin:
Streamline or cut small business operational requirements
Youngkin's plan to lower the cost of living includes lower income taxes, a requirement of voter approval to raise property taxes, the elimination of Virginia's grocery tax and a one-year suspension of a recent hike to its gas tax. Youngkin asserts
Democratic economic policies have killed job growth. He campaigned against business lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic and pledged to streamline or cut operational requirements for small businesses.
Source: FOX Business on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race
Nov 2, 2021
Amanda Chase:
Admits no proof of her claim of overvoting in Virginia
Chase, trying to prove there's voting fraud in Virginia, says Chesterfield's Southside precinct is infamous for logging more votes than there are voters. Election records show the strongly-Democratic precinct has never had a voter turnout greater than
70% in its 12-year history. Presented with statistics, Chase says of her claim "maybe it didn't happen," and "I wouldn't put any credence in what I was saying." Chase's voting fraud claim is fatuous and inflammatory. We rate it Pants on Fire!
Source: PolitiFact FactCheck on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race
Dec 9, 2020
Ralph Northam:
Nonpartisan redistricting so voters, not pols, pick reps
Q: You recently denounced "dark money" and stressed the differences between your campaign and [Democrat Tom] Perriello's in out-of-state fundraising. 57% of out-of-state donations went to Perriello, while 11% went to your campaign. A: I do not let
contributions influence my decision-making. I took on the tobacco industry in the first year after I was elected. There's a tremendous amount of influence from the tobacco industry in Virginia. I introduced legislation to ban smoking in restaurants.
My record is for standing up for the principles and values that are right for Virginia.
Q: What else needs fixing in Virginia's campaign-finance system?
A: The first thing is we need to have a nonpartisan redistricting. We need to get rid of the
gerrymandering in Virginia and make our districts fair so that voters are picking their representatives, rather than politicians picking their voters, which is the way it is now. After we do that, then we can tackle campaign-finance reform.
Source: The American Prospect on 2017 Virginia gubernatorial race
May 3, 2017
Daniel Gade:
Pledges to support Congressional term limits
U.S. Term Limits praises candidate Daniel Gade for signing the pledge for an amendment to term limit Congress. It reads, "I pledge that as a member of Congress, I will cosponsor and vote for the U.S. Term Limits amendment of three (3) House terms and
two (2) Senate terms and no longer limit." The U.S. Term Limits constitutional amendment has been introduced in both the U.S. Senate by Senator Ted Cruz (SJR1) and the U.S. House by Representative Francis Rooney (HJR20).
Source: U.S. Term Limits on 2020 Virginia Senate race
Oct 8, 2019
Lee Carter:
Little to no oversight by legislature over executive branch
[On oversight]: "The Executive Branch of Virginia's government has become resistant and averse to oversight," Carter said. "There is little to no oversight by the legislature over the Executive Branch. They act with impunity far too often.
They act outside of the public eye. And there seems to be very, very little appetite within the General Assembly to create more oversight."
Source: Virginia Mercury on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial debate
Apr 6, 2021
Corey Stewart:
Don't regulate corporate & union campaign contributions
Q: Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
A: No.
Source: VoteSmart Virginia 2018 Political Courage Test
Jul 4, 2018
Jennifer McClellan:
Worked to create Virginia Voting Rights Act
McClellan emphasized her 16 years in the state legislature, noting that she has more experience in Richmond "than all other candidates on this stage combined." Invoking her legislative achievements--including carrying a bill to create a
Virginia Voting Rights Act and sponsoring the Senate's marijuana legalization package--McClellan wielded her r‚sum‚ more than fiery rhetoric to make her case.
Source: Washington Post on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial debate
Apr 6, 2021
Justin Fairfax:
Opponents accepted "false" accusation, no due process
He said that he was "falsely accused" in 2019--referring to two women who said he had committed sexual assault in separate incidents. Fairfax denied the charges and called for a criminal investigation, but none has taken place. "Everyone here on the
stage called for my immediate resignation," he said. Then he singled out McAuliffe: "He treated me like George Floyd, like Emmett Till," Fairfax said. "No due process," he said, adding that McAuliffe "immediately assumed guilt."
Source: Washington Post on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial debate
Apr 6, 2021
Amanda Chase:
If Trump not made president, declare martial law
Referring to Biden, Chase wrote, "Not my President and never will be.""The American people aren't fools. We know you cheated to win and we'll never accept these results. Fair elections we can accept but cheating to win; never. It's not over yet.
So thankful President Trump has a backbone and refuses to concede. President Trump should declare martial law as recommended by General Flynn." ["Martial law" means the Constitution is suspended, replaced by military rule --ed.].
Source: Washington Post on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race
Dec 15, 2020
Amanda Chase:
Prefers gubernatorial primary to nominating convention
Amanda Chase reversed course, announcing plans to seek the Republican nomination for Virginia governor instead of running as an independent. Chase threatened to join the 2021 race as an independent candidate after the Republican Party decided to
determine its candidate through a statewide convention. Chase said she is still advocating for the party to hold a primary but was concerned that running as an independent would split the Republican vote and guarantee a Democratic victory.
Source: WRIC-TV ABC-8 News on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race
Dec 11, 2020
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026