by John Reid

One of the more hotly contested races in Virginia is the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor, and on Thursday at the Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Building in Woodbridge, the six candidates who are vying for the seat met for a public town hall to discuss critical issues, ranging from the economy to the attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion by the Trump administration. The forum was moderated by journalist Kellye Lynn of WJLA-7 ABC and hosted by the Northern Virginia Democratic Black Caucus, which is a coalition of Black caucuses within the Fairfax, Prince William, Arlington, and Loudoun County Democratic Committees.

Although the two primary candidates for the gubernatorial seat have already been determined in Democratic Congressperson Abigail Spanberger and current Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, there was a bit of mystery in the air heading into Thursday night regarding some of the candidates in the Lieutenant Governor race, and an opportunity for voters to gain clarity on who they will support presented itself.

The candidates who were present were: Alex Bastani, Senators Ghazala Hashmi and Aaron Rouse, former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, Prince William County School Board Chairman Dr. Babur Lateef, and attorney Victor Salgado. The frontrunner on the Republican side is radio host John Reid.

The festivities opened with Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin welcoming everyone into the debate, having a moment of silence for Representative Gerry Connolly, who passed away earlier this week. Afterwards, Russell Brooks of the NVDBC addressed the voters with a bold proclamation that “The Republican reign in Virginia is over!”

Several of the questions focused on the Trump administration’s impact on the economy, and how displaced federal workers will be provided for in the midst of rising costs. The candidates took advantage of the opportunity, targeting President Trump and Elon Musk as the core of the economic problems that families are facing.

When the questions turned to the current administration’s attacks on education, the proposed solutions were numerous regarding reform.

“Sadly, when [Virginia Governor] Glenn Youngkin and his Department of Education radically changed the curriculum,” said Senator Hashmi, a community college professor herself. “They stripped away so much of American history. It is important that we share the full story of America.” More information about Hashmi’s campaign is on her website.

Senator Rouse gave a clarion call to the Black community, and for society as a whole. “We have to start telling accurate history,” he said. “As one of two African-American men in the State Senate, who has a professional background in sports, I’m here to tell our young Black males that are more than just athletes. We are more than just running high and jumping high and then 6’4 and strong; we have intellect. We are smart, we are intelligent.”

“That is what we have to keep telling, the full story of America,” he continued, “the full story of our community, because it matters to our community. It matters to those young boys and girls who think they can only be an entertainer. We need more senators, more doctors, more teachers, and more lawyers. When we tell the full history of Virginia, it makes our community strong, and our society stronger.”

The PW Perspective’s John Reid spoke with Senator Rouse afterwards about his comments about representation and why it matters. “I fought to protect voting rights, starting all the way back to the city of Virginia Beach as a local councilman,” he said. “I was only the fifth African-American to be elected city-wide in Virginia Beach, so to have representation in our government helps us to understand the disparities in economics. As Vice Chairman of our state’s privileges and elections, I’m fighting to make sure that everyone that’s eligible for voting has an opportunity to vote, but really what it comes down to is helping Black and brown voters understand the importance of being politically active, because we have to not only be present in voting, but we have to have seats at this table to make sure we’re not only on the menu, but we’re making the meal as well.”

“We have to take education every seriously in our communities,” he continued. “It was public education and my teachers that helped me understand the world is much bigger than what’s on the football field or basketball court. I could aspire and dream to be not only in professional sports, but as doctors, lawyers, and first responders. In our society, a lot of time professional athletes are the ones who are stood up so as Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, I want to help a new generation understand that yes, I can play sports, but I can also serve in my community. We can do more than be celebrated for our physical attributes.” Find out more about his campaign at his website.

Bastani, a union leader and attorney, gave some poignant comments on the matter. “We cannot let the Republicans rewrite history,” he said, “because they’re trying to rewrite history, so they can rewrite the future.” He recommended standing up to right-wing extremist groups such as Moms For Liberty at school board meetings by showing up and being heard.

One note of emphasis was his calls for redistribution of wealth across the state regarding school funding. “It is unsustainable in its current form to keep this system alive,” he said. His website can be found here.

Former Richmond Mayor Stoney touted the work he has done to address civil rights issues when Lynn asked the candidates. “People need to know that the atrocities that occurred during the Antebellum south, they occurred right here,” he said. “It’s why we need to fight back against the messages of Jim Crow.” He talked about how as mayor of Richmond he restored the rights of over 200,000 formerly disenfranchised Virginians and took down the confederate statues in the capital city. More about his campaign can be found here.

He spoke with the PW Perspective about increasing affordable housing as a way to help attract businesses into the Commonwealth. “There are several factors that drive business attraction,” he said. “Number one, give people an affordable place to live. Right now, in Virginia, more than a million renters are spending a third of their housing costs on the rent. We have to do better and build more affordable homes.”

“Also, we have to raise the minimum wage as well, so people can have an affordable life. I think that businesses play a key role in upgrading the salaries and incomes of those who live in our communities. I’m proud of the work we did in Richmond. Under my watch, we saw housing costs and median income go up by 40% and capita per income go up by 50%, so we need to put our shoulder into economic development.”

Dr. Lateef, who has overseen several successes during his time as Chairman in Prince William County, talked about how the school board has become more inclusive. “As chairman of the most diverse county in the Commonwealth,” he said, “I am proud to include every voice in every decision we make in our school division.” Among the accomplishment he touted was the hiring of Dr. LaTanya McDade, the first African-American superintendent for a large school division. He also discussed the county’s record scholarship dollars won and increased student performance across all demographics.

Lateef also talked about how he would challenge the current administration regarding the potential withdrawal of school funding. “Two months ago, Donald Trump sent a letter to my school division saying that if we don’t cut out the DEI program, they would cut federal funding. I said we will proceed as usual, and if he decides to push and hold our federal funds, I will see him in court, and Mr. President, I will win, so let’s go!”

After the debate Salgado talked with the PW Perspective on immigration reform, especially in light of proposed implementation of the controversial law 287 (g). “I’m sorry that this question didn’t get asked,” he said, “because it’s one of the issues that’s important to me. If [Vice President] Kamala Harris had won, I wouldn’t be running. I understand Washington, and I understand the Constitution.”

“Every time we see an ICE raid, these candidates will pump their fist and say they’re going to stop this, but there’s literally nothing they can do about ICE raids which are staffed by agents out of Washington. What we can do is when Trump deputizing our law enforcement to enforce the law, we can take it to him. I know the program inside and out, and I’m going to jump in and draft legislation which puts clear barriers on his power. This is what I do; I’ve prepared my entire career for it, and that’s why I’m running.” Find out more about his campaign on his website.

Dr. Lateef spoke with the PW Perspective after the debate about the issues discussed and why being on the school board is so vital. “As school board chairman, it’s really and truly the frontline of our democracy,” he said. “It’s the most romanticized version of democracy that we have.”

“Every issue [Kellye] brought up, whether it was DEI, hiring practices, whether it’s inclusivity, the economics, whether it’s opportunities for our kids, we’ve covered that in our school division. It’s what I’ve worked on, and I’m proud of that effort. Tonight was a great chance for me to talk about all of the current successes we’ve had in Prince William County, and I’d like to see all across the Commonwealth for everyone.”

One of those successes has been the work he has done in collective bargaining. “We’ve implemented collective bargaining, raising wages, project labor agreements, but that was on top of already making sure we paid our people what they deserve. 61 percent teacher raises over seven years, the largest raise in the nation, the most well paid nurses at UVA health system, the best anywhere in the state of Virginia. I believe that the best way to address affordable housing, is to pay people what they deserve.” More about this campaign can be found here.

Here were the results of the WJLA poll immediately after the town hall:

We spoke with an undecided voter who wanted to hear specifically from each candidate and she brought up three points which she said would make her decision. “I’m looking for a candidate who is upfront, a fighter of Democratic values, and who can honestly win against the Republicans in November. We don’t know a lot about these candidates so I’m hoping this debate will help.”

When asked after the debate if her decision was clear, she said, “I’ve narrowed it down, but I feel more comfortable about our chances for winning.”

Voting continues until June 17, 2025 in the primaries. For more information on voting locales, visit the Elections website.