Terry McAuliffe in 2021 VA Governor's race
On Abortion:
Permanently codify protections of Roe v. Wade
Terry will continue fighting for progressive policies to advance women's rights and gender equality. First and foremost, that means passing an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia that permanently enshrines and codifies the protections of
Roe v Wade in Virginia law. Terry will continue to address disparities in women's health care coverage, ensuring access to quality prenatal care to improve outcomes and address maternal mortality, which disproportionately impacts Black and Brown mothers.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website Terry McAuliffe.com
Dec 22, 2020
On Budget & Economy:
Targeted investments partnering with schools, businesses
He will make critical investments in building and training the workforce of the future and ensuring that people of all ages have the skills they need to be successful in the jobs of tomorrow. Terry will achieve this through targeted
investments in workforce training and development, partnering with businesses and our educational institutions to re-skill and retrain Virginians, and reimagining our K12 education system so that every child is workforce ready upon graduation.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website Terry McAuliffe.com
Dec 22, 2020
On Budget & Economy:
Provide small businesses access to capital
Create a revolving fund to provide low-interest loans to small businesses. Small businesses are essential to the vitality of the economy and thousands in Virginia have closed with no plans to reopen due to the pandemic. We must provide small businesses
access to capital so they can more easily adapt, keep their employees and customers safe, and keep their doors open. This program will specifically target historically disadvantaged populations and communities that have lacked access to capital.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website Terry McAuliffe.com
Dec 22, 2020
On Civil Rights:
Vetoed multiple bills shielding discriminating groups
As Governor, Terry made it clear he would veto every piece of legislation that discriminated against LGBT people or undermine the constitutional rights of any Virginian. He delivered, vetoing multiple so-called "religious freedom" bills that would
have shielded groups who actively discriminate against same-sex couples from civil liability, and vetoing a bill that would have protected local elected officials who violated the law by refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
As Virginia's 72nd Governor, Terry worked tirelessly to build an inclusive Commonwealth that is open and welcoming to all. On his first day in office, Terry signed Executive Order 1, which prohibited discrimination against any
LGBT state employee. He was also the first southern Governor in the nation to officiate a gay wedding.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website Terry McAuliffe.com
Dec 22, 2020
On Civil Rights:
Tackle inequities by lifting up every Black Virginian
Virginia's next Governor must be ready to tackle inequities head on with bold, progressive policies to lift up every Black Virginian. That means addressing the historic lack of access to capital and promoting Black home and business ownership, breaking
down barriers that prevent communities of color from generating wealth, addressing environmental injustices, supporting older members of Black communities and ending disparities in health care, education and our criminal justice system.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website Terry McAuliffe.com
Dec 22, 2020
On Crime:
Shift from military-style equipment to support services
For too long, Virginia has embraced a "tough on crime" approach to criminal justice that has focused on punishment rather than rehabilitation. Terry will deliver the criminal justice reforms necessary to create an equitable criminal justice system,
one that is focused on second chances. He will invest resources in education, housing, and behavioral health services, shifting resources away from military-style tactics and equipment.He will invest in key areas to professionalize law enforcement
agencies and improve accountability--through training and accreditation, community policing, and increased community engagement. He will examine areas including pretrial incarceration, investing in prevention and re-entry services, making sure that
addiction is treated like the health crisis it is, and breaking down barriers that prevent individuals with criminal records from being productive members of our society.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website Terry McAuliffe.com
Dec 22, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
Facilitate development of new clean energy technologies
Terry will champion bold and progressive initiatives that will protect our environment, allow Virginia to achieve its 100% Clean Energy Standard, decarbonize the transportation sector and lift up historically disadvantaged communities that have been
impacted the most. During his administration, Terry made key strides including joining the U.S. Climate Alliance and committing to upholding the Paris Climate Agreement.Terry will continue to champion progressive and innovative solutions to
solidify our clean energy future including creating clean schools, facilitating the development of new clean energy technologies, incentivizing existing clean energy technologies, lifting up rural economies,
improving energy efficiency and championing decarbonization efforts. He will also begin to decarbonize our roads by incentivizing the use of clean transportation in an equitable way.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website Terry McAuliffe.com
Dec 22, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
Facilitate development of new clean energy technologies
[In Buttigieg's remarks to the press after President-elect Biden announced his nomination as Transportation Secretary]: "Travel in my mind is synonymous with growth, with adventure -- even love. So much so that I proposed to my husband
Chasten in an airport terminal," he said. "Don't let anybody tell you that O'Hare isn't romantic."O'Hare Airport wasted no time leaning into that title.
The airport changed its official Twitter bio shortly after to a "place of romance" and tweeted a thank you at Buttigieg:
"Thank you for appreciating all the connections we make possible, @PeteButtigieg," the tweet read. "Looking forward to working with you as we continue to make our airport lovable for decades to come."]
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website Terry McAuliffe.com
Dec 22, 2020
On Gun Control:
Fight for common sense solutions to preventing gun violence
Virginia took critical steps during the 2020 legislative session and passed a number of life-saving bills, but much work remains to be done. We have to continue fighting until we require background checks on every gun transfer or rental, assault
weapons are no longer allowed on our streets, and people across the Commonwealth no longer live in fear about the daily gun violence in their communities. Terry will continue to fight for common sense solutions to preventing gun violence.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website Terry McAuliffe.com
Dec 22, 2020
On Health Care:
Bring PPE & pharmaceutical manufacturing to Virginia
Cut down on costs and supply-chain issues by bringing PPE and pharmaceutical manufacturing to Virginia. We must leverage our capabilities and bring PPE and other life science manufacturing to Virginia. PPE will remain an ongoing need for the healthcare
industry in a post-COVID world, as will affordable medications for Virginians. Terry recognizes how critical it is to bring pharmaceutical manufacturing to Virginia to cut down on costs of expensive prescription drugs.
Terry is extremely proud that we finally expanded Medicaid for hundreds of thousands of Virginians. Terry will propose solutions to make sure every Virginian has access to quality, affordable health care. That means expanding coverage
and lowering premiums by working closely with the federal government to create a reinsurance program, increasing subsidies to help families pay for their health care premiums and working to lower the cost of prescription drugs.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website Terry McAuliffe.com
Dec 22, 2020
On Jobs:
Everyone should have access to paid sick days
Nearly half of Virginia's private sector workers do not have access to paid sick days, meaning that employees must choose between getting paid or taking time to care for themselves or their families. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how critical
this issue is not only to supporting low-wage workers, but also to ensuring that employees who are sick do not come to work and spread illnesses like COVID-19. It is past time that we provide this necessary benefit to Virginians.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website Terry McAuliffe.com
Dec 22, 2020
On Technology:
Invest in broadband infrastructure and access
As Virginia's next Governor, Terry will prioritize rural economic development and lift up every community. That includes building on Governor Northam's efforts and investing substantially in broadband infrastructure and access, getting
387,000 households in need online. As Virginia's 72nd Governor, Terry made agriculture and forestry -- Virginia's top private sector industries -- key components of his overall economic development plans.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website Terry McAuliffe.com
Dec 22, 2020
On Welfare & Poverty:
Strong safety net including affordable housing
Strengthen access to basic needs like nutritious food, housing and health care for all Virginians. Within the next year, 445,000 more Virginians are projected to experience food insecurity, and thousands of Virginians are facing evictions because of
COVID-19. Adults cannot be productive members of the workforce and students cannot succeed in the classroom if they are unable to meet their basic needs. A strong safety net is a critical element of a strong economy.
Terry will implement bold strategies that will address the underlying causes of housing instability and homelessness, provide support to individuals at-risk of eviction and expand the availability of affordable housing. This will require strong public-
private partnerships and substantial investments in affordable housing. Under his leadership Virginia became the first state in America to functionally end veteran homelessness. And overall homelessness among families decreased by 16.5%.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website Terry McAuliffe.com
Dec 22, 2020
On Principles & Values:
Would accomplish more with Democrats controlling legislature
Part of the appeal for McAuliffe to return to the governorship, veteran Democratic strategists in Virginia say, is because he'd be able to accomplish more now than when he was first elected in 2013, since Democrats now control both chambers of the
state legislature. McAuliffe supporters argue his track record as governor shows he's best equipped to handle the pandemic and economic recovery in the commonwealth.
Source: Politico.com blog on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race
Dec 8, 2020
On Education:
$2 billion to boost teacher pay, expand internet access
The former governor said he plans to roll out a list of policies starting off with an education platform that would invest $2 billion a year to boost teacher pay and ensure every public school student has internet access. "To build a strong post-COVID
economy, the best workforce in the world and to create a clear path for the middle class, we need to make an unprecedented investment in education. The time is now to ensure a world class education for every single Virginia child," McAuliffe said.
Source: The Hill newsmagazine on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race
Dec 9, 2020
On Abortion:
Vetoed anti-abortion laws; honored by Virginia NARAL
To be fair to McAuliffe, he has many admirers--he left the governor's office with overwhelming approval--as well as civil rights and women's rights bona fides. Near the end of his term, he moved to restore voting rights to 173,000
formerly incarcerated Virginians. He was such a reliable defender of reproductive rights, vetoing ugly GOP anti-abortion laws, that NARAL Pro Choice Virginia gave him its 2017 "Brick Wall" award.
Source: The Nation newsmagazine on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race
Dec 11, 2020
On Crime:
I'd like to see every police officer have a body camera
McAuliffe said he supports accountability and transparency but believes in "working with the police" to ensure they have proper training. "I happen to be a full supporter of body cams. I'd like to see every police officer actually have a body camera so
that we can all actually see what's going on," McAuliffe said. "Thank goodness we had all of those individuals there that had those cellphones when George Floyd was murdered."
Source: Virginia Mercury on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial debate
Apr 6, 2021
On Crime:
We have racist criminal justice system
McAuliffe said. "I'm about getting people parole. When I was governor I had to replace the entire Parole Board because they didn't believe in doing it.
I leaned in hard on these issues. Because we have a racist criminal justice system."
Source: Virginia Mercury on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial debate
Apr 6, 2021
On Gun Control:
Got stiffer gun laws against domestic violence offenders
McClellan said that McAuliffe gave away out of state concealed carry rule. In exchange, McAuliffe got agreements from Republicans to support stiffer laws barring domestic violence offenders from having guns.
McAuliffe defended the bill, arguing it had a tangible impact by removing guns from dangerous situations. "There are thousands of women today who are safe because of that law," McAuliffe said.
Source: Virginia Mercury on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial debate
Apr 6, 2021
On Education:
Address school segregation; expand pre-school availability
He's planning to put an extra $2 billion a year into education to fund teacher pay raises, address segregation in schools and end racial achievement gaps, expand preschool availability for at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds, provide every
student with internet access and improve workforce development programs. "The one thing we cannot afford to do is to keep Black and Brown and rural children from being able to access what they need to get a quality education," McAuliffe said.
Source: Virginia Mercury on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial debate
Dec 9, 2020
On Gun Control:
Promises to ban assault rifles and high-capacity magazines
McAuliffe, repeating the phrases "lean in" and "big and bold," tried both to invoke his record as governor and to draw attention to a website packed with plans for future policy. He emphasized his record restoring voting rights to thousands of felons as
a high point of his career. He stressed gun control, promising to ban assault rifles and high-capacity magazines; boasted of issuing more pardons than any other governor; and condemned a "racist criminal justice system."
Source: Washington Post on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial debate
Apr 6, 2021
On Education:
Wants more diversity among teachers, provide scholarships
McAuliffe highlighted a portion of his education plan, the Lucy Simms Educator Program. The program would cover tuition at a Virginia public university or historically black college for those who commit five years to teaching in Virginia public
schools. "We need our educators to reflect who we are as a commonwealth. That's why I always talk about we have got bring in more diverse educators here to represent all of the areas of education that we need to be lifted up," McAuliffe said.
Source: WHSV 3-News on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race
Dec 17, 2020
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023