Ellen Arthur, Angela Lynn raise issue with Republican Christian heritage ad insert

Democratic Party House of Delegates candidates Ellen Arthur and Angela Lynn are raising issue with an ad insert in the Thursday issue of the News Leader in which Augusta County Republicans call on voters to preserve their “Christian heritage” with votes for GOP candidates.

“It is time that my opponent stands up against the insulting claim that only one political party includes Christians,” said Arthur, the Democratic nominee in the 24th District, who is challenging Republican incumbent Ben Cline.

Cline and 25th House Republican incumbent Steve Landes are both featured in the ad insert, along with several other local Republican candidates.

“This country is founded on the principle of freedom: freedom to identify with the political party of your choosing, and freedom of religion. That is the heritage we ought to fight diligently to preserve. I believe in a Commonwealth of inclusiveness, not exclusiveness,” Arthur said.

“No one political party has a monopoly on religion,” Lynn said. “It is our heritage, as Virginians, which we hold dear. Our heritage of tolerance, equality, and freedom is the true heritage of this Commonwealth. The blatant demonization of ‘others’ through this disgraceful ad is proof that our current politicians and their political party are insular, closeminded, and out of the mainstream. We need to send a message on Election Day that this exclusion will not stand.”