State of Virginia Archives: on Principles & Values


Bob McDonnell: Create a Commonwealth of Opportunity for all Virginians

Together we face challenges, and the choices we make this session will come after much reflection and debate. "With challenge comes opportunity." If that is true--we have lots of opportunity before us. I pledge to work with you to create "A Commonwealth of Opportunity" for all Virginians.

I want to see opportunity flourishing in the successful start-up of a small business in Norfolk. in the farmer able to keep working his family's land. in the first-time home buyer receiving her new keys.

Source: Virginia 2010 State of the State Address Jan 18, 2010

Bob McDonnell: Indicted on corruption charges days after leaving office

The indictments of former Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, reveal new details about requests for financial help from a prominent businessman while the offering to help promote the company's new product. Some excerpts:
Source: Washington Post: 2014 Virginia Senate & Gubernatorial race Jan 21, 2014

Ed Gillespie: Planned political reporting career at Catholic U. of America

Although he found enjoyment in politics at an early age, the idea of working in that field was a reach much further than he was able to embrace: "I was fascinated by politics. I went to college [at the Catholic University of America] to be a reporter and to cover politics. Coming from a town like Browns Mills, my brothers, sisters and I are the first generation of Gillespies to ever attend college. My parents never went," says the Chairman. "My father was an immigrant from Ireland, and Washington DC might as well have been Athens, Greece. It seemed so far away. But I thought I could go there and be a newspaper reporter. I could cover politics. I never dreamed that I could be in politics."

"[My childhood] was fairly idyllic, playing a lot of sandlot baseball. I had a dog and he & I would go out on long treks. It was a small town childhood," says Gillespie. "New Jersey is like two different states. There's the 201 [area code] state and the 609 state. I grew up in the 609 state.

Source: South Jersey Magazine on 2014 Virginia Senate race Jan 1, 2005

Ed Gillespie: Raised a Democrat; first job with Democrat; switched to GOP

While attending Catholic University, Gillespie worked several jobs to help support his education; at one of these positions--a Senate parking lot attendant on Capitol Hill, says Gillespie, "One of the people I parked cars with was an intern in a congressional office and he told me of another opening in that congressional office, and I ended up interning there. That eventually led to a job and I was able to work my way up the political ladder from there."

While he recalls being drawn to the Republican Party from a young age, the Senator he first served under was a Democrat. Gillespie's official party allegiance didn't change until his boss suddenly decided to switch parties in 1984.

"As an Irish-Catholic kid from NJ, my roots were Democratic. My parents' families were very strongly Democrat. But like so many Irish-Catholic Democrats, I found myself relating more to Ronald Reagan and the Republican Party, which was more staunchly anti-communist and more about opportunity."

Source: South Jersey Magazine on 2014 Virginia Senate race Jan 1, 2005

Ed Gillespie: Don't let the Left fill the vacuum of minority voters

Former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie, who is running for Senate in Virginia, appealed to his party to reach out to minorities and other groups instead of letting the left "fill that vacuum." Gillespie, speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference, is running against popular Democratic Sen. Mark Warner in a state that has grown more diverse--and increasingly friendly to Democrats.

The Republican argued that it was important for his party to "be there" in communities that have trended away from the GOP, noting that candidates don't need to speak Spanish to go on the Univision or Telemundo television networks. He also mentioned his own efforts to offer campaign videos in other languages. "We certainly should not cede those audiences to the left," Gillespie said of groups that don't typically vote for Republicans, including many minorities. The left will "fill that vacuum, and we cannot allow that vacuum to occur."

Source: Politico.com coverage of CPAC and 2014 Virginia Senate race Mar 6, 2014

Jamie Radtke: Career politicians are part of the problem

Radtke went on the offensive from the outset, calling Allen "part of the problem" of out-of-control federal spending. Radtke kept up the drumbeat through her closing statement, when she lumped Allen in with the "career politicians" she said are destroying the country. "We need a new generation of conservative and courageous leadership that can inspire young people to believe in the conservative message again," she said.
Source: The Virginian-Pilot on 2012 Virginia Senate debate May 12, 2012

Tim Kaine: Smash-mouth partisanship is yesterday's politics

KAINE: Many in the room who have been in Virginia politics for a while remember Gov. Allen's famous quote when he was governor: "My job is to knock Democrats' soft teeth down their whining throats." George, as a governor, called General Assembly members "dinosaurs, monarchical elitists." He calls federal employees sanctimonious social engineers. That is yesterday's politics. We're not going to solve our problems if we continue down that path of smash mouth, consider the other side rather than the opponent. We got to compete against the world to win.

Q: [To Allen]: Was your smashing teeth remark not literal?

ALLEN: It is an example of where sports analogies are not appropriate, and that was a mistake on my part for it. [My campaigns] are not running down the others, there's contrasts. That is what we have in competitive representative democracy, contrasting or competing ideas.

Source: CNN State of the Union on 2012 Virginia Senate debate Jul 22, 2012

Tim Kaine: Served as a missionary in Honduras

ALLEN: Tim was the hand-picked chairman of the Democratic National Committee by President Obama, and he's, in effect, the hand-picked senator and recruited to run for the Senate.

KAINE: I am highly offended at that. He cannot help himself.

ALLEN: I didn't interrupt you.

KAINE: I have had a career of serving people. I was a missionary in Honduras. I was a civil rights lawyer for 17 years. I was a city councilman, mayor, lieutenant governor, governor. His suggestion that I'm running for office just because somebody else asked me to, I've not lived my life that way. I live my entire life to serve other people. And so his notion, oh, you're just handpicked to run the Senate race, come on. I had to give up a job and a salary and health care benefits to run for the U.S. Senate. And I'm doing it because the nation needs people who know how to find common ground moving forward.

Source: CNN State of the Union on 2012 Virginia Senate debate Jul 22, 2012

Tim Kaine: Ser justo e incluyente de todas las comunidades

Our Virginia might not exist today were it not for the generosity extended to those first settlers by the native Virginia tribes living in this region. That same sense of community is required of us today. We must include all Virginians in our efforts. We should continue to welcome newcomers to this Commonwealth and nation, just as Chief Powhatan did 400 years ago.

Hemos venido hoy dĦa, a este lugar para recordar la promesa de nuestros antepasados. Como gobernador, ser‚ justo e incluyente de todas las comunidades, con la certeza que juntos lograremos construir un mejor futuro para Virginia. [We have come here today to remember the promise made by our forefathers. As Governor, I will be fair and inclusive of all communities with the certainty that together we can achieve a better future in Virginia.]

And, we should use this historic time to help those who first helped us by working with the federal government to see that Virginia's native Indian tribes are finally recognized.

Source: 2006 Inaugural address to Virginia Assembly Jan 14, 2006

Scott Taylor: Ability to worship God without governmental interference

Scott Taylor is a Christian. He worships at Wave Church in Virginia Beach. Scott firmly believes that the Constitution provides all of us with the ability to worship God without governmental interference. While in the Navy, there were many times when Scott turned to God for prayer and comfort; at a funeral for a comrade or while executing a mission.
Source: 2016 Virginia House campaign website ScottTaylor.US Nov 8, 2016

Ralph Northam: Do good; be transparent; look for better ways

The benefits of opportunity and prosperity have eluded too many of our neighbors for too long. As Governor, I am committed to working with you to turn that around. I hope you will join me in applying this test to the decisions we make:
Source: 2018 State of the State speech to Virginia legislature Jan 16, 2018

Nick Freitas: First and foremost a Christian, for liberty and equality

I am first and foremost a Christian. My dedication to the belief that we all have inherent value and are entitled to liberty and equality before the law is rooted in this worldview. Individual liberty, personal responsibility, respect for God and limited, constitutional government are not merely convenient political concepts, but essentials which are fundamental to our liberty, prosperity and security.
Source: 2018 Virginia Senate campaign website Nick4Senate.com Mar 3, 2018

Ralph Northam: We are all equal in the beginning and in the end

I think we all want to live in a country where we'd be proud if our young child can look to our country's leaders and say, I want to be like that person when I grow up. We don't have that now. But we can get it back, and we must. My mother taught me that, no matter who we are or where we come from, we are all equal in the beginning and in the end. I've thought of that many times since I've had this job. That lesson comforts me, especially as I take on a great responsibility.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address Jan 8, 2020

Ralph Northam: Voters deserve the truth, even when it's hard to hear

When elected leaders purposely reject facts and truth, and fan the flames of conspiracy, all in pursuit of power, they are taking dangerous steps. We have a duty to tell the truth. Voters deserve the truth, even when it's hard to hear--not lies that will comfort them. Lies do not quell outrage. They encourage it. And that creates real damage. Americans are better than this, and I pray that we all can summon the better angels of our nature in this new year.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Virginia legislature Jan 13, 2021

Jennifer Carroll Foy: If you have been blessed, then be a blessing to others

She was raised by her grandmother--a leader in the community. Jennifer's grandmother instilled in her the values and principles of honor, commitment, and service. Her grandmother would say, "Jenn, if you have it, you have to give it." What she meant was: If you have a warm home, you open your door. If you have strength and compassion, you lend it. If you have been blessed, then be a blessing to others. Jennifer saw her grandmother giving all she had--even when she didn't have much to give.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign site JenniferCarrollFoy.com Feb 21, 2021

Amanda Chase: Put "In God We Trust" in public schools

Amanda is also a staunch defender of religious freedom who supports legislation that would put our national motto "In God We Trust" in public schools.
Source: 2021 Virginia Governor campaign website Chase4Senate.com Dec 13, 2020

Glenn Youngkin: The most exceptional nation the world has ever known

My fellow Virginians, I come to this moment, and to this office, knowing we must bind the wounds of division. Restore trust. Find common cause for the common good. And strengthen the spirit of Virginia. And to be clear this spirit of Virginia is not about government deciding for us what is best for us. But rather reflecting the will of the people. Defending and protecting the rights guaranteed by our constitution. And a government and elected leaders going to work for "We the People".

We must venture forward because a new and better day is ahead of us. After all, we are Virginians whose leaders gave birth to the most exceptional nation the world has ever known. Yes, a country with chapters of great injustice. But also a country birthed on the fundamental notion of freedom. A nation whose ideas and ideals have been replicated and memorialized around the globe for nearly 250 years.

Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Virginia legislature Jan 15, 2022

Glenn Youngkin: Faith in a loving God, whose presence can be felt here today

What is seared in our heart by a loving, almighty Creator is not a desire for power or conquest, not a love of self, or personal advancement. Rather it's a belief that life is worth living when we serve a greater cause than self when we love without expecting favor in return and when we set aside ego for the greater good. We are one Virginia. We are all sailing in the same boat. With faith in a loving God, whose presence can be felt here today.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Virginia legislature Jan 15, 2022

Glenn Youngkin: Faith seared in our heart by loving, almighty Creator

Friends, Virginia is the birthplace of America, the most exceptional nation the world has ever known?and while we have not always lived up to our ideals, through the faith and determination that has been seared in our heart by a loving and almighty Creator, we have always strived to do better.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Virginia legislature Jan 11, 2023

Daniel Gade: Church-state separation is NOT removal of religious content

Q: Do you promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles?

A: Yes.

Q: What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

A: It means that the state should not be able to interfere with church or religious activities, speech, or conduct without clear and compelling state interest (preventing the physical abuse of minors, for instance). It does NOT mean the removal of all religious speech and content from public life.

Q: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values?

A: I am a Christian, and my wife and I are raising our children in the "fear and admonition of the Lord." I believe that I am saved from my sin by the intercessory sacrifice of Jesus and his subsequent resurrection.

Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 Virginia Senate race Nov 3, 2020

Justin Fairfax: 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

Pete Snyder: Discrepancies in IRS filing for non-profit on money raised

The IRS filing, submitted under penalty of perjury, certified the group had not raised, and did not expect to raise, more than $50,000 per year during its first three years. Days before the filing Snyder told The Washington Post he and his wife had put up $100,000 in seed money for the group. And Snyder told Richmond's NBC affiliate the group had already "raised over a quarter of (a) million dollars."
Source: Axios.com on 2021 Virginia Governor race May 18, 2021

Jennifer Carroll Foy: Our faith leaders among people making a strong community

I grew up in Petersburg, Virginia, one of the poorest communities in our commonwealth. Petersburg is a strong community thanks to the people I grew up with: our faith leaders; my teacher, Sgt. Maj. Frost; and my grandmother, Mary Lee. People in our community fought to keep Petersburg alive when politicians of the past turned their backs on us. It's a town that had been left behind.
Source: Charlottesville Tomorrow on 2021 Virginia Governor race May 24, 2021

Tim Kaine: Motivated to serve, including missionary work in Honduras

ALLEN: Tim was the hand-picked chairman of the Democratic National Committee by President Obama, and he's, in effect, the hand-picked senator and recruited to run for the Senate.

KAINE: I am highly offended at that. He cannot help himself.

ALLEN: I didn't interrupt you.

KAINE: I have had a career of serving people. I was a missionary in Honduras. I was a civil rights lawyer for 17 years. I was a city councilman, mayor, lieutenant governor, governor. His suggestion that I'm running for office just because somebody else asked me to, I've not lived my life that way. I live my entire life to serve other people. And so his notion, oh, you're just handpicked to run the Senate race, come on. I had to give up a job and a salary and health care benefits to run for the U.S. Senate. And I'm doing it because the nation needs people who know how to find common ground moving forward.

Source: CNN State of the Union on 2012 Virginia Senate debate Jul 22, 2012

Amanda Chase: Describes herself as Donald Trump in heels

Chase, who announced her bid early this year and has been pounding the pavement ever since, describes herself as Donald Trump in heels. The gun-toting legislator has buddied up with high-profile far-right groups and her antics inside and out of the state Senate have drawn ire from her GOP colleagues.
Source: Courthouse News Service on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race Dec 9, 2020

Rob Wittman: Served as mayor, town councilor, and in House of Delegates

Wittman would bring the broadest elected experience to the office by far. He's the former mayor of Montross and also served on the town council there. He was on the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors for about 10 years. He served a term in the Virginia House of Delegates before moving to Congress, where he is in his fourth full term.
Source: Daily Press on 2017 Virginia governor's race Dec 13, 2015

Jennifer Carroll Foy: Almost died after childbirth: motivated run for governor

She almost died after giving birth because, as is the case for many Black women, white doctors and nurses downplayed and dismissed her excruciating postpartum pain. That, combined with her experience growing up poor and without health care in rural Virginia, has motivated her run to be the first Black woman governor in American history. "When people say identity politics don't matter, what they're also saying is that other people's lived experiences don't matter," she says.
Source: Elle Magazine on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race Feb 16, 2021

Lee Carter: I'm a socialist, "democratic socialist" is redundant

I don't describe myself as a democratic socialist. I describe myself as a socialist, because I feel that democratic socialism is a redundant term. One of the core pieces of socialism is that you have to have democratic control over the economy and politics. If it's not democratic, then it can't be socialism, just definitionally. The thing that makes me a socialist is that commitment to worker ownership.

Our choice really is socialism or barbarism. That's not a rhetorical device. It's not a catchy slogan. It's a reality. We saw at the Capitol that liberalism does not have an answer for the rise of fascists. They will continue getting more and more violent. They will continue getting bolder and bolder. The choice we have at this moment is to either build a mass working-class coalition that is militant in the defense of our people and our gains. Or we let the fascists win and that's unacceptable.

Source: Jacobin magazine on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race Jan 1, 2021

Pete Snyder: God-given right to gather to worship during pandemic

He pledged to roll back pandemic-related restrictions. He singled out the limitations that have been placed on worship gatherings. "Never again can we let the left get in between us and our relationship with God, never again. And when I'm governor, you'll be able to worship when you want, where you want and with as many people as you want. That is a God-given right for us," he said.
Source: Loudoun Now on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race Apr 27, 2021

Amanda Chase: When you back citizens into the corner, they'll push back

Virginia state Sen. Amanda Chase attended Trump's rally and said in a video posted to her Facebook page, "When you back good people--law-abiding citizens--into the corner, they will push back." Chase, who said she left Trump's speech early on the advice of her security team, blamed the riots on "antifa or BLM agents of destruction." A spokesperson for Chase said in an email that she "was on her way home when the violence broke out."
Source: Mother Jones magazine on 2021 Virginia Governor race Jan 16, 2021

Justin Fairfax: 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

Corey Stewart: Keep God in the public sphere

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Keep God in the public sphere"?

A: Support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Virginia Senate candidate May 18, 2018

Terry McAuliffe: 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

Amanda Chase: Rebuked by Republicans for claim Democrats hate white people

Three fellow Republican state senators took to social media to rebuke Sen. Amanda Chase, a GOP candidate for governor, for charging that Virginia Democrats "hate white people" and are seeking the Richmond registrar's ouster because she is white. Sen. Mark Obenshain tweeted: "I've been repeatedly asked to comment on Amanda Chase's most recent offensive statements. Quite honestly, I just don't have the time to address every crazy thing she says. It would be a full time job."
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch on 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race Dec 9, 2020

Glenn Youngkin: Firm offered matching gifts for social justice donations

Less than a week after the police murder of George Floyd, Youngkin's company, sprawling private equity firm the Carlyle Group, put out a press release, signed by Youngkin and his co-CEO, Kewsong Lee, promising "a special match" offer to employees who donate up to $1,000 to any one of three social justice organizations: the Equal Justice Initiative, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the NAACP.
Source: The Daily Beast on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race Oct 12, 2021

Ralph Northam: Religious sectarianism has no place in politics

The Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, E.W. Jackson, delivered a sermon, "Any time you say, 'There is no other means of salvation but through Jesus Christ, and if you don't know him and you don't follow him and you don't go through him, you are engaged in some sort of false religion,' that's controversial. But it's the truth."

Northam wrote in an email to Washington Jewish Week: "Comments like this are divisive and wrong, and have no place in politics. We need to be inclusive, that's why I am running for Lt. Governor to bring all Virginians together to move our Commonwealth forward."

Source: Washington Jewish Week on 2017 Virginia gubernatorial race Sep 25, 2013

Jennifer Carroll Foy: I don't have to empathize, because I understand

Carroll Foy, a former public defender, spoke quickly and emphatically, repeatedly vowing to "fight" for Virginians and invoking her working-class roots. "I don't have to empathize, because I understand," she said, describing her own family's economic struggles.
Source: Washington Post on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial debate Apr 6, 2021

Ralph Northam: Now is not the time for divisiveness, time for leadership

Our president has been unable to deliver on tests. Now he has chosen to focus on protests. This is not the time for protest. This is not the time for divisiveness. This is time for leadership that will stand up and provide empathy, that will understand what's going on in this country of ours with this pandemic. It's the time for truth. It's the time to bring people together. We're fighting a biological war. We have been asked, as governors, to fight that war without the supplies we need.
Source: CNN 2020 "State of the Union": 2021 Virginia Governor race Apr 19, 2020

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