The newly-elected Democratic Ticket of Terry McAuliffe, Ralph Northam, and Mark Herring appeared at the Democratic Party of Virginia’s Unity Breakfast on Wednesday morning following Tuesday’s Democratic primary. Attendees heard from all three candidates on the ticket, who rallied Virginia Democrats to work as a united front toward victory in November and stressed how they are focused on driving a mainstream agenda of job creation and economic growth across the Commonwealth.
“This mainstream ticket focuses on the issues that matter to Virginians – reducing transportation gridlock, improving education, and fostering economic development,”said gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe.
He stressed that while the Democratic ticket would work across the aisle to find bipartisan solutions to these challenges, “The Tea Party ticket views bipartisanship as betrayal and attacked Governor McDonnell for his work to pass the first major transportation funding compromise in 27 years.”
All three candidates contrasted their jobs-focused agenda with the agenda of GOP candidates Ken Cuccinelli, E.W. Jackson, and Mark Obenshain.
Lieutenant Governor candidate Ralph Northam commented that the Democratic ticket “will work for Virginians every day to improve our economy and strengthen our communities. And while Terry and I are unified and focused on these issues, our opponents could not be further from what Virginia needs from its leaders.
“Instead of putting jobs first, we’ve seen both Ken Cuccinelli and E.W. Jackson demonize gay Virginians, and try to impose their extreme ideological views on Virginia’s businesses, communities, and families.”
Northam is currently a state senator representing Norfolk and has a uniquely important race this year. The control of the Senate of Virginia hangs in the balance of who the Commonwealth elects as its next Lieutenant Governor in November.
Attorney General candidate Mark Herring, also a state senator who represents Loudoun and Fairfax counties stressed the need for responsible leaders in Richmond, and said “Virginians have had enough” of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli using his elected office to drive his own political agenda.
“It is time to restore pragmatism and responsibility to Virginia’s Attorney General’s Office. It is time for our Attorney General to fight for Virginians, not fight for his own political opportunity,” said Herring.
Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia Charniele Herring announced that primary candidates Aneesh Chopra and Justin Fairfax would serve as Co-Chairs of Party’s 2013 Coordinated Campaign. “We are united this morning as Democrats and Virginians who recognize that we need leadership in Richmond that puts jobs ahead of a divisive and extreme ideological agenda,” Herring stated.
McAuliffe closed the breakfast by stressing the importance of this election for Virginia’s future and encouraged Democrats to sign a commitment card to vote, “You’ll be committing to vote in November and even more importantly, you can commit to make sure your family and neighbors show up to vote with you. But whatever you do, don’t sit home. And don’t think last year mattered more than this year.”
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