Kirk Cox in 2021 VA Governor's race
On Abortion:
Led fight against late term abortion legislation
During his time as Speaker, Virginia cut taxes by $1.2 billion, froze tuition at colleges and universities for the first time in 20 years, eliminated all state funding for Planned Parenthood, and held back far-left proposals on gun control and abortion.
While Kirk was Speaker, Democrats introduced legislation to make abortion legal up until the moment of birth. Kirk spoke passionately on the floor of the House of Delegates and the bill was defeated under his leadership.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website KirkCox.com
Feb 19, 2021
On Civil Rights:
Enacted a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment
On the Kirk Cox for Governor campaign, over 50 percent of Kirk's campaign staff are women, and as Speaker and
Majority Leader he had a long track record of recruiting women to run for office. Kirk Cox also made efforts to combat sexual harassment on Capitol Square by enacting a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website KirkCox.com
Feb 19, 2021
On Crime:
Invest $50 million for law enforcement salaries
[Police policy]:- Invest $50 million in the first year of a Cox administration for law enforcement salaries
- Prioritize the implementation of the State Police Pay Plan
- Eliminate salary compression for veteran law enforcement officers
-
Raise Base Pay for Troopers and Sheriff's Deputies
- Convene a Leadership Group representing various law enforcement groups within the first 100 days to plan the $50 million commitment and address structural salary issues plaguing law enforcement.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website KirkCox.com
Feb 19, 2021
On Education:
Froze college tuition for first time since age of disco
He has carried legislation to make K-12 education more accessible. As speaker, he froze college tuition across Virginia for the first time since the age of disco.
He has worked to develop more higher education options, trade and certification programs, and career development pathways.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website KirkCox.com
Feb 19, 2021
On Gun Control:
Second Amendment is a foundational God-given right
Kirk Cox believes the Second Amendment is a foundational and God-given right critical to freedom. Kirk taught ALL of the amendments to the Constitution for 30 years as a government teacher, and firmly believes the founders understood that the Second
Amendment is the only thing standing between us and tyranny. For his entire career, Kirk Cox has consistently defended the Second Amendment, law-abiding gun owners, sportsmen, and the individual right to keep and bear arms.As Majority Leader, he
advanced pro-Second Amendment legislation, whether it was improving our concealed carry laws, allowing responsible gun owners to store firearms, or ending one gun per month. When the Attorney General tried to unilaterally end reciprocity for concealed
carry, Cox and the House of Delegates stepped in and fixed it.
Kirk Cox has a lifetime A rating from the NRA and has voted on the side of gun owners every single time he had the chance to do so. And as Governor, his fight would continue.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website KirkCox.com
Feb 19, 2021
On Health Care:
Raised over $2 million for breast cancer awareness
Kirk has been a leading advocate for breast cancer awareness and research, creating the Virginia Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon license plate that has raised over
$2 million for breast cancer awareness. As Speaker, Kirk also implemented a paid family leave policy for House of Delegates employees.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website KirkCox.com
Feb 19, 2021
On Homeland Security:
Introduced over 120 bills for veterans and their families
Kirk Cox has been the leading champion for Virginia Veterans for the last 30 years. He has introduced over 120 pieces of legislation to help veterans and their families, including the legislation to authorize construction of Virginia's three
Veterans Care Centers, funding the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program, giving veterans credit in the state pension system for their time served in the armed services, and funding for the Virginia War Memorial.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website KirkCox.com
Feb 19, 2021
On Civil Rights:
Voted against banning LGBTQ panic defense
Kirk Cox voted against legislation- Banning the LGBTQ panic defense, defined by the LGBT Bar as "a legal strategy which asks a jury to find that a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity is to blame for the defendant's violent reaction,
including murder."
- Repealing the now obsolete marriage equality ban from the Virginia Constitution.
- Barring discrimination in child welfare services
- Banning bias based profiling of LGBTQ people by law enforcement
Source: Blue Virginia blog on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race
Feb 2, 2021
On Government Reform:
Wants to cut regulations across the board at state agencies
[On deregulation]: "One of the things I did work with Governor Northam on my first year as speaker was that we cut regulations for the Department of Professional and Occupational Licensing and the Department of Criminal Justice Services,"
Cox said, adding that as governor he would like to do that "across the board with various agencies."
Source: Charlottesville Tomorrow on 2021 Virginia Governor race
May 6, 2021
On Tax Reform:
Give it back: for return extra revenues to taxpayers
Cox said that the state should use around $730 million in additional projected revenues to cut checks for Virginians to the tune of $190 for individuals and $380 for families. Cox titled his pitch "give it back," recalling the checks that went out to
Virginians in 2019 after the state saw a revenue windfall tied to federal tax reform. Cox was the speaker of the House at the time.
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race
Feb 2, 2021
On Budget & Economy:
Use surplus to send out tax rebates to help families
Cox said that the state should use $730 million in additional projected revenues to cut checks for Virginians to the tune of $190 for individuals and $380 for families. "This plan takes the $730 million that the reforecast came down with, and does a
straight tax rebate. The feeling is that families have really struggled--no question about that--and this would help them with what they need to do. That could be an electric bill, clothes for kids, tutoring expenses," Cox said.
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race
Feb 16, 2021
On Technology:
Social media platforms hare unfairly targeting conservatives
[On free speech restrictions]: "This trend has accelerated over the last few months with egregious actions by social media platforms, unfairly targeting conservatives. The silencing, the shaming, and the censorship are very real. And as Governor, I will
fight back. The public deserves to know the truth about how Big Tech operates," Cox said. "As Governor, I will take strong, reasonable steps to protect the First Amendment freedoms critical to the success of our public discourse and defend consumers."
Source: The Republican Standard on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race
Feb 2, 2021
On Education:
Put together a comprehensive plan to reopen schools
I think the K-12 issue is going to be huge. I'll say, it is hard to open schools. But myself [and others]--way back in early July--put together a very comprehensive proposal on how to reopen schools and give schools and localities a pathway.
A lot of parents are looking for help. I put a budget amendment in called the Read Act on helping with things like teaching pods and internet access, which the Democrats had no interest in.
Source: Virginia Mercury on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial debate
Nov 17, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023