Past and present Senate candidates from Virginia: on Principles & Values
Corey Stewart:
Keep God in the public sphere
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Keep God in the public sphere"?
A: Support
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Virginia Senate candidate
May 18, 2018
Don Blankenship:
I'm Trumpier than Trump, despite Trump opposition
President Trump took to Twitter to tell West Virginia Republicans not to support Blankenship. Trump tweeted, "To the great people of West Virginia we have, together, a really great chance to keep making a big difference. Problem is, Don Blankenship,
currently running for Senate, can't win the General Election in your State...No way! Remember Alabama. Vote Rep. Jenkins or A.G. Morrisey!"Blankenship reacted to Trump's Twitter criticism by issuing a written statement of response. "West
he doesn't know me and he doesn't know how flawed my two main opponents are in this primary. The establishment is misinforming him because they do not want me to be in the U.S. Senate and promote the President's agenda."
Source: NPR on 2018 West Virginia Senate race
May 8, 2018
Nick Freitas:
First and foremost a Christian, for liberty and equality
I am first and foremost a Christian. My dedication to the belief that we all have inherent value and are entitled to liberty and equality before the law is rooted in this worldview.
Individual liberty, personal responsibility, respect for God and limited, constitutional government are not merely convenient political concepts, but essentials which are fundamental to our liberty, prosperity and security.
Source: 2018 Virginia Senate campaign website Nick4Senate.com
Mar 3, 2018
Evan Jenkins:
A proud ally of our president Trump
Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed for the US Senate [and his GOP primary opponent Evan] Jenkins issued a statement:"When Mountain State Republicans see Patrick Morrisey's name on their primary ballot this May, they will categorically reject his
notion that WV's next senator should be a profiteering D.C. lobbyist beholden to big drug companies, Planned Parenthood, and--most recently--Steve Bannon. And with $1.7 million in campaign debt, Morrisey's loyalties lie with them--not West Virginians,"
Jenkins said.
"Primary voters will also remember that Morrisey refused to stand with them two years ago when WV Republicans overwhelmingly chose Donald Trump to be our next president--and they won't send Morrisey back to Washington at a time when
President Trump and all West Virginians need a senator they can count on to represent Mountain State values. As a proud ally of our president--I am confident that my candidacy offers voters what they want and deserve in their next senator," Jenkins said.
Source: News & Sentinel on 2018 West Virginia Senate race
Jan 26, 2018
Paula Jean Swearengin:
Part of "Brand New Congress" to fight special interests
I am joining a team with hundreds of other candidates in a single campaign to rebuild our country. Brand New Congress candidates like Paula Jean Swearengin are completely funded by small donations.
As a Senator, Paula will be free to serve, rather than fundraise and meet with lobbyists. Paula will work for all Americans without pressure from corporations and special interests.
Source: 2018 West Virginia Senate campaign website PaulaJean2018.com
Jul 17, 2017
Shelley Moore Capito:
Declined to debate with 3rd-party candidates
It's looking unlikely that West Virginia's two main contenders for an open U.S. Senate seat will debate again before Election Day. Republican Shelley Moore Capito won't attend a West Virginia Public Broadcasting debate Friday.
Democrat Natalie Tennant, Libertarian John Buckley, Bob Henry Baber of the Mountain Party and Phil Hudok of the Constitution Party will participate.
Capito's campaign said the congresswoman will be on her previously scheduled bus tour. Capito and Tennant, West Virginia's secretary of state, debated last Tuesday in Charleston. Third-party candidates weren't involved. The two met for a
West Virginia Chamber of Commerce candidate forum at The Greenbrier in late August.
They are seeking retiring Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller's seat. The Friday morning debate will air in the evening.
Source: The Associated Press on 2014 West Virginia Senate debate
Oct 14, 2014
John Buckley:
Former Republican state legislator
In the United States Senate race, the perception is that the contest is just between the Democrat and the Republican, with the Republican in the lead. Not so. When you cast your vote, you'll get a chance to vote for me, John Buckley, the Libertarian.
I'm the third candidate in the race. I'm a former Republican state legislator (elected when I lived in Virginia 35 years ago--
I was just in my mid-20's), now running on the ticket of the Libertarian party.
While politics is usually portrayed as a contest of
Republican v. Democrat, conservative v. liberal, red v. blue, that's narrow, old-fashioned thinking. It's "analog" politics in a digital age.
Source: Charleston Daily Mail on 2014 West Virginia Senate race
Aug 12, 2014
John Buckley:
Elected as Republican to VA House; running as Libertarian
In politics, the voters are often far ahead of the political pundits. "Conventional wisdom" has to play catch up sometimes. That's what I think is happening in West Virginia this year. In the United States Senate race, the perception is that the contest
is just between the Democrat and the Republican, with the Republican in the lead. Not so. When you cast your vote, you'll get a chance to vote for me, John Buckley, the Libertarian.I'm the third candidate in the race.
I'm a former Republican state legislator (elected when I lived in Virginia 35 years ago--I was just in my mid-20's), now running on the ticket of the Libertarian party. I don't fit the narrow mold of most political commentators.
They just don't know what to make of me.
I'm for limited government and free enterprise; I'm also for peace and civil liberties; I support the freedom to marry as well as the freedom to carry. I believe in "live and let live."
Source: Charleston Daily Mail on 2014 West Virginia Senate race
Aug 12, 2014
John Buckley:
Cousin to William F. Buckley; long background in GOP
John Buckley, cousin to William F. Buckley, had a long personal background in Republican Party and conservative movement politics, including a stint running Young Americans for Freedom in the 1970s. He won a state legislative seat in Virginia in 1979.
He lost his seat after one term and says that "by the early '90s
I had soured on the Republican Party as a vehicle for expressing my political principles"--not because his principles had changed that much, or even that the Party's lip service stated principles had,
but that no Republicans seemed to act on the free-market side of their message.
Source: Reason magazine Q&A on 2014 West Virginia Senate race
Jul 24, 2014
Ed Gillespie:
Don't let the Left fill the vacuum of minority voters
Former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie, who is running for Senate in Virginia, appealed to his party to reach out to minorities and other groups instead of letting the left "fill that vacuum." Gillespie, speaking at the Conservative
Political Action Conference, is running against popular Democratic Sen. Mark Warner in a state that has grown more diverse--and increasingly friendly to Democrats.The Republican argued that it was important for his party to "be there" in communities
that have trended away from the GOP, noting that candidates don't need to speak Spanish to go on the Univision or Telemundo television networks. He also mentioned his own efforts to offer campaign videos in other languages. "We certainly should not
cede those audiences to the left," Gillespie said of groups that don't typically vote for Republicans, including many minorities. The left will "fill that vacuum, and we cannot allow that vacuum to occur."
Source: Politico.com coverage of CPAC and 2014 Virginia Senate race
Mar 6, 2014
Natalie Tennant:
55-county "Talk with Tennant" tour: represent W.V., not D.C.
Tennant, who announced in September her intention to seek the U.S. Senate seat being vacated with Democrat Jay Rockefeller's impending retirement, is currently participating in a 55-county "Talk with Tennant" tour.She visited Raleigh County last week,
and Tennant said the most common issue she is hearing across the state involves increasing flood insurance rates, which she largely blames on Rep. Shelley Moore Capito's actions. "What we've been seeing as we head around all 55 counties [is that] people
recognize there is a clear choice between someone who represents West Virginia and someone who represents Washington."
As a notable example of standing up for West Virginia interests, Tennant said she played an instrumental role in ensuring justice was
served when three elected Democratic officials tried to steal an election. As the chief election official, Tennant said her office conducted an 18-month-long investigation into the matter.
Source: Beckley Register-Herald on 2014 West Virginia Senate race
Mar 2, 2014
Bob McDonnell:
Indicted on corruption charges days after leaving office
The indictments of former Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, reveal new details about requests for financial help from a prominent businessman while the offering to help promote the company's new product. Some excerpts:- Apr. 2011: Maureen
asked Star Scientific's CEO Jonnie Williams to take her on a shopping trip to buy a designer dress, promising to get Williams seated next to McDonnell at an upcoming political event. Williams spent over $18,000.
- May 2: Maureen arranged a private
meeting at the governor's mansion for Williams, during which she discussed "severe financial difficulties." She asked Williams for a $50,000 loan and said she could assist Star Scientific.
- June: Receiving checks from Williams and promoting his company
- July: Free vacation and Ferrari loan; asking state officials to help company with research trials
- Aug. 2011: Rolex, free golf and a product launch
- Feb. 2012: Big loans to the McDonnells and a push for state research.
Source: Washington Post: 2014 Virginia Senate & Gubernatorial race
Jan 21, 2014
Zane Lawhorn:
We're seeping into era of chaos, as foretold in the Bible
Even with the onslaught of terrible daily news reports--from mass killings to natural disasters, to government shutdowns--there are some who deny that the world is becoming increasingly chaotic, says Zane Lawhorn. "You'll hear people rationalizing what's
going on in the world as 'not all that different' from earlier times. The claim is that 24-hour global news programs magnify bad news in a way that's unprecedented. But I tend to view the bad news as just that--bad news," says Lawhorn.
"Our leaders can't work together; the government seems always on the verge of shut down--or is shut down; spending is out of control; socialist tariffs dictate what's to be our health-care system; maniacs with deadly weapons target public places
on what seems to be a regular basis--and that's just what's going on within our borders. We're seeping into an era of chaos, just as foretold in the Bible." Now is the time for individuals and families to prepare for deepening chaos, he says.
Source: Albany Journal on 2014 West Virginia Senate race
Oct 12, 2013
Pat McGeehan:
Constitutional conservative: pro-life, pro-gun and pro-coal
McGeehan responded to Natalie Tennant's recent announcement to run as a Democrat for Senate from W.Va. McGeehan stated, "Natalie Tennant jumping in this race only adds another candidate who is far too liberal for West Virginia.""West Virginians
deserve a constitutional conservative who is pro-life, pro-gun and pro-coal. Career politicians funded by special interest money are part of the problem in Washington, not the solution," explained McGeehan. "Natalie Tennant is out-of-touch with West
Virginia, and it's time to elect a Senator who will stand on principle and not with party."
"Harry Reid has handpicked his anti-coal, Obama-supporting candidate to run for Senate and it's time West Virginians stand together and say enough is enough,"
stated McGeehan. "Tennant's views align along with Barack Obama & Harry Reid--and we need someone who will obey their Oath of Office, not discard it."
McGeehan is the Tea Party favorite and has been endorsed by The National Republican Liberty Caucus.
Source: Huntington News on 2014 West Virginia Senate race
Sep 17, 2013
Joe Manchin III:
We can only fix things by coming together
Manchin repeatedly stressed he is working for West Virginia, and its best interests, as a senator in the nation's capital. "Let me make it very clear the only team I belong to is team America, and team West Virginia.
I'm the most centrist senator in the Senate. I don't vote for the party, I vote for the issues. Always have, and I always will. I think West Virginia we have proved that you can only fix things by coming together," Manchin said.
Source: West Virginia Public Broadcasting on 2012 W.V. Senate debate
Oct 3, 2012
Tim Kaine:
Smash-mouth partisanship is yesterday's politics
KAINE: Many in the room who have been in Virginia politics for a while remember Gov. Allen's famous quote when he was governor: "My job is to knock Democrats' soft teeth down their whining throats." George, as a governor, called General
Assembly members "dinosaurs, monarchical elitists." He calls federal employees sanctimonious social engineers. That is yesterday's politics. We're not going to solve our problems if we continue down that path of smash mouth, consider the other side
rather than the opponent. We got to compete against the world to win.Q: [To Allen]: Was your smashing teeth remark not literal?
ALLEN: It is an example of where sports analogies are not appropriate, and that was a mistake on my part for it.
[My campaigns] are not running down the others, there's contrasts. That is what we have in competitive representative democracy, contrasting or competing ideas.
Source: CNN State of the Union on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Jul 22, 2012
Tim Kaine:
Served as a missionary in Honduras
ALLEN: Tim was the hand-picked chairman of the Democratic National Committee by President Obama, and he's, in effect, the hand-picked senator and recruited to run for the Senate.KAINE: I am highly offended at that. He cannot help himself.
ALLEN: I didn't interrupt you.
KAINE: I have had a career of serving people. I was a missionary in Honduras. I was a civil rights lawyer for 17 years. I was a city councilman, mayor, lieutenant governor, governor. His suggestion that
I'm running for office just because somebody else asked me to, I've not lived my life that way. I live my entire life to serve other people. And so his notion, oh, you're just handpicked to run the Senate race, come on.
I had to give up a job and a salary and health care benefits to run for the U.S. Senate. And I'm doing it because the nation needs people who know how to find common ground moving forward.
Source: CNN State of the Union on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Jul 22, 2012
Tim Kaine:
Motivated to serve, including missionary work in Honduras
ALLEN: Tim was the hand-picked chairman of the Democratic National Committee by President Obama, and he's, in effect, the hand-picked senator and recruited to run for the Senate.KAINE: I am highly offended at that. He cannot help himself.
ALLEN: I didn't interrupt you.
KAINE: I have had a career of serving people. I was a missionary in Honduras. I was a civil rights lawyer for 17 years.
I was a city councilman, mayor, lieutenant governor, governor. His suggestion that I'm running for office just because somebody else asked me to, I've not lived my life that way. I live my entire life to serve other people. And so his notion, oh, you're
just handpicked to run the Senate race, come on. I had to give up a job and a salary and health care benefits to run for the U.S. Senate. And I'm doing it because the nation needs people who know how to find common ground moving forward.
Source: CNN State of the Union on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
Jul 22, 2012
Jamie Radtke:
Career politicians are part of the problem
Radtke went on the offensive from the outset, calling Allen "part of the problem" of out-of-control federal spending. Radtke kept up the drumbeat through her closing statement, when she lumped Allen in with
the "career politicians" she said are destroying the country. "We need a new generation of conservative and courageous leadership that can inspire young people to believe in the conservative message again," she said.
Source: The Virginian-Pilot on 2012 Virginia Senate debate
May 12, 2012
Ed Gillespie:
Planned political reporting career at Catholic U. of America
Although he found enjoyment in politics at an early age, the idea of working in that field was a reach much further than he was able to embrace: "I was fascinated by politics. I went to college [at the Catholic University of America] to be a reporter and
to cover politics. Coming from a town like Browns Mills, my brothers, sisters and I are the first generation of Gillespies to ever attend college. My parents never went," says the Chairman. "My father was an immigrant from Ireland, and Washington DC
might as well have been Athens, Greece. It seemed so far away. But I thought I could go there and be a newspaper reporter. I could cover politics. I never dreamed that I could be in politics.""[My childhood] was fairly idyllic, playing a lot of
sandlot baseball. I had a dog and he & I would go out on long treks. It was a small town childhood," says Gillespie. "New Jersey is like two different states. There's the 201 [area code] state and the 609 state. I grew up in the 609 state.
Source: South Jersey Magazine on 2014 Virginia Senate race
Jan 1, 2005
Ed Gillespie:
Raised a Democrat; first job with Democrat; switched to GOP
While attending Catholic University, Gillespie worked several jobs to help support his education; at one of these positions--a Senate parking lot attendant on Capitol Hill, says Gillespie, "One of the people I parked cars with was an intern in a
congressional office and he told me of another opening in that congressional office, and I ended up interning there. That eventually led to a job and I was able to work my way up the political ladder from there."While he recalls being drawn to the
Republican Party from a young age, the Senator he first served under was a Democrat. Gillespie's official party allegiance didn't change until his boss suddenly decided to switch parties in 1984.
"As an Irish-Catholic kid from NJ, my roots were
Democratic. My parents' families were very strongly Democrat. But like so many Irish-Catholic Democrats, I found myself relating more to Ronald Reagan and the Republican Party, which was more staunchly anti-communist and more about opportunity."
Source: South Jersey Magazine on 2014 Virginia Senate race
Jan 1, 2005
Page last updated: Feb 23, 2019