Justin Fairfax in 2021 VA Governor's race


On Civil Rights: Wrong to honor Robert E Lee in VA state senate

On eve of MLK day: History repeats itself. I will be stepping off the dais today in protest of the Virginia Senate honoring Robert E. Lee," Fairfax tweeted. "I'll be thinking of this June 5, 1798 manumission document that freed my great-great-great grandfather Simon Fairfax from slavery in Virginia. #WeRiseTogether.
Source: The Hill e-zine on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race Jan 19, 2019

On Gun Control: Spoke for strong gun control after Virginia Beach shooting

It appeared the governor and his lieutenant put aside their differences in the name of gun control, a common refrain in the wake of the repeated senseless gun violence plaguing the country.
Source: NewsOne on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race Jun 4, 2019

On Health Care: VA should have expanded Medicaid for 400,000 people

Fairfax believes Virginia should have expanded Medicaid to provide needed health care for some 400,000 state residents who lack insurance. Other states that did so still have 90 percent of the costs covered by the federal government.
Source: Free Lance-Star on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race Oct 29, 2017

On Jobs: Increase minimum wage to $15 per hour

Fairfax has said Virginia's economy is heading in the right direction and that he would focus on promoting small businesses and improving educational and apprenticeship opportunities for "middle-skill" jobs such as welders, mechanics and truck drivers. He also wants to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
Source: Free Lance-Star on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race Oct 29, 2017

On Technology: Transportation infrastructure crucial to state's economy

Fairfax believes that transportation is crucial to the state's economy. "You can't vote no on that [transportation] bill and then say we need to invest in infrastructure," He said he would "entertain" a bill creating a regional transportation authority if localities want it.
Source: Free Lance-Star on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race Oct 29, 2017

On Principles & Values: Denies two allegations of sexual assault

Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax is launching a run for governor despite facing two high-profile allegations of sexual assault he has strenuously denied. The lieutenant governor position is a traditional launchpad for gubernatorial bids, and Fairfax would normally be considered a strong candidate. But unsettled allegations of sexual assault, made by two women will complicate his ability to raise money and build support.
Source: Associated Press on WSLS-10 on 2021 Virginia Governor race Sep 10, 2020

On Drugs: Supports legalization, expunging non-violent convictions

Fairfax also supports Northam's position that marijuana should be legalized. "For decades, statistics have shown that African Americans disproportionately have been arrested and incarcerated for marijuana possession and related offenses at a rate more than three times higher that of their white counterparts," Fairfax said in a Facebook post. "This historic racial injustice must end." Fairfax also supports expunging criminal convictions related to non-violent marijuana-related offenses.
Source: Farquier Times on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race Jan 6, 2021

On Principles & Values: Had ancestor's manumission documents at swearing in

Fairfax is a descendant of Virginia slaves and carried their manumission documents with him when he took the oath of office for the number-two job in Richmond, the capital of the former Confederacy. "As I raised my right hand to take the oath of office as lieutenant governor of Virginia, I had in my breast pocket the papers that freed my three-greats-ago grandfather," Fairfax told NBC affiliate WWBT. "I think it represents the progress we as Virginian's have been able to make."
Source: NBC News on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race Feb 2, 2019

On Health Care: COVID: urged bold and swift actions in response to pandemic

Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax is asking Gov. Ralph Northam to take "bolder and swifter actions" to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. In a letter to the governor, Fairfax said Virginia should mandate closures of restaurants, bars, theaters and gyms, close all schools for the rest of the academic year, suspend state and local tax payments for 120 days and hold a special General Assembly session within the next month to allow state legislators to adopt emergency measures.
Source: Virginia Mercury on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial debate Mar 19, 2020

On Government Reform: Opponents accepted "false" accusation, no due process

He said that he was "falsely accused" in 2019--referring to two women who said he had committed sexual assault in separate incidents. Fairfax denied the charges and called for a criminal investigation, but none has taken place. "Everyone here on the stage called for my immediate resignation," he said. Then he singled out McAuliffe: "He treated me like George Floyd, like Emmett Till," Fairfax said. "No due process," he said, adding that McAuliffe "immediately assumed guilt."
Source: Washington Post on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial debate Apr 6, 2021

On Health Care: Cast tiebreaking vote for Medicaid expansion

Fairfax walked a fine line between all the other candidates, both pledging to fight for Virginians and touting his ability to work with everyone in his role as president of the Senate. He said that his proudest moment was casting a tiebreaking vote for Medicaid expansion in the Senate in 2018 and that he had been an early advocate for closing schools as the coronavirus pandemic broke last year.
Source: Washington Post on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial debate Apr 6, 2021

On Education: Proposes $30 billion plan to rebuild state's aging schools

Fairfax has announced a $30 billion proposal to rebuild and reimagine all K-12 schools in Virginia. This fund would allocate $30 billion over the next 10 years to reconstruct all K-12 public schools in Virginia that are 40 years or older. The proposal also includes a pay raise for teachers and guarantees a paid summer job or internship for Virginia youth.
Source: WHSV Fox-TV3 on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race Jun 18, 2021

The above quotations are from 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage.
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Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023