Lt. governor race, a close fight to the end

Democrat Ralph Northam

Democrat Ralph S. Northam, who is running for lieutenant governor of Virginia, may live in Hampton Road like his opponent, but he has opposite political approaches and opinions on governmental issues, according to The Washington Post.

Northam served as a medic in the United States Army for eight years before becoming a pediatric neurologist and being elected to the Senate of Virginia in 2007, according to his website.

The Washington Post reported that Northam is known as a good compromiser between both political parties.

“We need people who are moderate — like-minded people who can sit down at the table and think about what our challenges are and what solutions we have . . . and get things done,” Northam said to The Washington Post.

According to Northam’s website, he loves his wife and family and could not imagine anyone denying their rights to a happiness like his.

“There is no excuse to discriminate against Virginians based on whom they love or to stigmatize the children of same-sex couples as unequal because their parents cannot marry,” Northam explained on his website. “That is why I will continue to fight to ensure that all Virginians will be treated equally and fairly under the law.”

Furthermore, Northam wants to stand up for women’s healthcare rights, according to his website.

“Efforts to put the government squarely in between a woman and her doctor need to stop,” Northam stated on his website. “I will continue to do everything I can to keep the government out of our private lives and out of personal health care decisions.”

According to Northam’s website, he also believes funding for schooling is of the upmost importance and must be restored.

“I believe strongly that our children are our future, and that all of them deserve a world-class education,” Northam explained on his website. “In order to ensure that they are prepared to take on the jobs of tomorrow, and to compete in a global economy, we must restore and increase funding for K-12 education, including teacher salaries.”

Northam sees flaws with the current Medicaid coverage and would like to make changes if possible, he explained on his website.

“We must make the right and prudent decision to expand Medicaid coverage rather than walking away from federal money that could help make sick people well,” Northam said on his website. “Expanding Medicaid means that (more than) 32,000 military and their families will gain an improving economy and jobs.”

According to his website, Northam would like to help the economy of Virginia by doing several different things.

“My top priority as (lieutenant governor) will be to create jobs by investing in our workforce, building an efficient transportation system and creating an environment that will bring entrepreneurs and businesses to Virginia,” Northam’s website stated.

Overall, Northam would like to restore balance to the Virginia Senate, according to his website.

“Ralph Northam has a record in the Virginia Senate that uniquely qualifies him to effectively navigate the legislative process and protect our values that have too often been under attack with Republican control in Richmond,” his website explained.

For more information on Northam, visit northamforlg.com.

Republican E.W. Jackson

With the lieutenant governor seat up for grabs, Republican E.W. Jackson has also put his name on the ballot.

According to the Washington Post website, the Lieutenant governor plays an important role in the evenly divided Virginia Senate during tiebreakers. The lieutenant governor holds the tie-breaking vote when this situation arises.

Jackson, a native of Virginia, was part of the Marine Corps and a minister before he decided to campaign for lietunant governor, according to jacksonforlg.com. Jackson holds strong beliefs in God and Virginia.

“Virginians must lead the way,” Jackson’s website states. “God will show us the way. Let liberty light the way.”

According to The Washington Post, Jackson wants what is best for Virginians.

“The economic situation is terrible,” Jackson said in an interview with GoDanRiver.com “It’s terrible. And it’s even worse here (in Southside Virginia). And I think a lot of times in government there’s this sense of expertise elitism, where we say, we know what’s best, we’ll take care of it. But more often I’ve found the people are smart … So I think the first step is to really listen to people, and to hear their ideas on how we can make things better.”

Jackson also supports traditional families. On his website, Jackson said the traditional family is the only family respected by God and is therefore the key to ending poverty.
“I believe that if we promote the traditional family, grow the economy and reduce government dependence, then we will begin to break the vicious cycle of poverty that is plaguing so many communities across Virginia,” Jackson explained on his website.

As a Christian minister, Jackson holds a strong stance against abortion, according to his website.

“All funding for abortion and the organizations that provide them must be halted,” Jackson’s website said.

According to Jackson’s website, he also upholds parental choice as an important aspect of education.

“As your next lieutenant governor, I will push for a Constitutional amendment and legislation that empowers parents, not politicians, to choose how and where their children will be educated,” Jackson stated on his website.

Moreover, Jackson does not agree with President Barack Obama’s decision to pass the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, according to his website.

“Obamacare is increasing costs, causing many businesses to switch full time employees to part time and increasing unemployment,” Jackson stated on his website. “Many premiums have already risen by 30 percent or more, and that is just out of the fear of Obamacare.”

Although Jackson may hold strong beliefs and is not afraid to speak his mind, he knows the key to government is working together for the better of the people, The Washington Post stated.

“The Founding Fathers said a person’s religious opinion should not be held against him in civil discourse and should not be a disadvantage to him in civil discourse,” Jackson said during a debate in Norfolk, according to The Washington Post. “I will be the lieutenant governor of all of the people of Virginia — black, white, brown, you name it. Rich, poor, no matter their sexual orientation. That’s the role of lieutenant governor. You work with everyone — Democrats, Republicans — and I want to do that, because I think we desperately need to come together.”

For more information on Jackson, visit jacksonforlg.com.