RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Democratic hopefuls for Virginia governor clashed at a debate Tuesday evening over who has been most loyal to the party and who has the better vision for the state.
Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam and former Tom Perriello traded jabs over past votes and statements in one of the most heated exchanges during the three debates they’ve had so far. The governor’s race in Virginia this year is being closely watched as a possible early referendum on President Donald Trump’s presidency. The primary is five weeks away.
Perriello blasted Northam for twice voting for former President George W. Bush, saying it was reflective of Northam’s support for Republican economic ideas that benefit the wealthy.
Northam in turn attacked Perriello for boasting about his conservative congressional voting record in a 2010 Fox News interview, and telling the Washington Times in 2009 that he became a Democrat “basically when I decided to run” for Congress. Perriello was elected to Congress in 2008 and served a single term.
“People that live in glass houses shouldn’t be throwing stones,” Northam said.
Perriello said he’d devoted his life to progressive causes, and been a longtime supporter of Democratic candidates.
“Dr. Northam, that’s a pretty sad attack,” Perriello said.
The debate also highlighted the contrasting styles and visions of the two candidates.
Perriello, who has been supported by national progressive groups and endorsed by U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, said Democrats are hungry for bold ideas like raising taxes on the wealthy to pay for programs to help the middle class and working class get ahead. Perriello also said he’d work to undo Virginia’s status as a right-to-work state and boost labor participation.
But Northam, the party establishment’s favorite, cast himself as a pragmatist who knows how to work with Republican lawmakers to score progressive wins like he did as a state senator to enact a smoking ban in restaurants.
Northam said Perriello’s tax plan and a push to undo right-to-work laws are unrealistic in fiscally conservative state where the GOP controls the General Assembly. Northam said he would instead work to find more concrete and pragmatic victories for labor.
Former Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie, Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart and State Sen. Frank Wagner, are seeking the GOP nomination.
Both parties are holding primary elections June 13.
Current Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe is barred by state law from seeking a second consecutive term.
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