VA-LG: Virginia Democratic Lt. Governor Candidates Debate Last Night
UPDATE 7:58 pm: Closing statements started with Sen. Aaron Rouse, emphasized that he fought back against Trump, Musk, Youngkin – and fought FOR every single Virginian. Victor Salgado said he quit his dream job after the last election, said this is a crowded field, but that you can check all the boxes with him. Levar Stoney said he fought his way up the economic ladder, has served as Secretary of the Commonwealth and youngest-ever Mayor of Richmond and achieved success; he said he’ll fight for everyone. Sen. Hashmi said she’s been fighting back against Trump, protect Medicaid, protect the rights to contraception and abortion rights, etc.; said she’s the only candidate endorsed by abortion rights and environmental groups; doesn’t need “on-the-job training.” Dr. Lateef said he’s been in this fight, standing up for his community, long before Trump arrived on the scene and he’ll be there long after Turmp is gone; pledged “steady, sober, principled leadership.” Alex Bastani said the American dream is out of reach for the vast majority of Virginians”; is seeking “deep structural changes,” unlike the “professional politicians” who will just continue the “status quo.”
UPDATE 7:49 pm: Question about policies about access to locker rooms and bathrooms in schools based on gender identity. Bastani said we’re going to have to spend money to provide facilities that meet the interests of both parties – “we want to protect everyone.” Salgado said “this is a cultural wedge issue that Republicans have put on the table; this is NOT a problem in America, they have scapegoated our trans community, some of the most vulnerable among us…when we have so many bigger, real problems, they forced this issue onto us so they can divide us” – “we should stand up for” transgender people. Lateef said he’s been “on the front lines of all these culture issues,” that PW County Schools has an “incredibly strong non-discrimination policy” to “protect all students.” Hashmi said she’s been a consistent and strong ally of the LGBTQ community, need to provide civil rights protections for minority communities, that this is an effort by Trump and Youngkin to distract us from what’s really important in schools. Rouse said “we have to protect our most vulnerable children in our schools…this is a Republican wedge issue…it takes a village to raise our babies.” Stoney said we should be the most welcoming, most inclusive state in the union; the GOP is more focused on divisiveness; we should be focused on how children are doing in the classroom; Youngkin and Earle-Sears have “used our children as pawns” and he “will not stand for” that.
UPDATE 7:42 pm: Question on domestic violence. Stoney said he saw domestic violence in his home when he was a child and it’s unacceptable – “we need to have more safe havens.” Bastani said domestic violence comes out of “our difficult economic times,” need to take away the stigma from seeking mental illness treatment, also need to raise the minimum wage so domestic partners don’t feel financially trapped to stay with their partner. Salgado said defunding these efforts is a political and moral choice, the solution is increasing funding aggressively from Richmond, plus pass gun violence prevention laws, etc. Lateef said he cared for a woman who was the victim of domestic violence, the judge let the perpetrator go. Hashmi said as a community college professor, she had many students in her classroom, sadly, who were confronting issues of domestic violence; we need to give them the resources they need to get out of domestic violence situations; need gun violence prevention laws. Rouse said at a very young age, a babysitter was murdered in a domestic violence incident; we need “commonsense gun laws”; safe gun storage legislation; make sure resources are going to victimes of domestic violence.
UPDATE 7:35 pm: Kinda loaded question by the Sinclair moderator on diversity, equity and inclusion. Sen. Rouse said “DEI is a part of Virginia state code,” that Trump and Musk are focused on creating fear and dividing us; said “DEI is code language…taking us back to an era of racism, of discrimination” and he will stand up against that. Stoney said “Black and Brown Virginians believe in equal opportunity but not equal outcomes, obviously,” said Youngkin’s “following the playbook of Donald Trump,” wants to rip people’s opportunities away, such as what happened at VMI. Bastani said “the best form of DEI is the American labor movement,” and that’s why we need to repeal “right-to-work…it’s about building connection.” Salgado said we had a major setback last November, Trump is using codes like “DEI” to divide us…putting unqualified people in charge of DoD, DHS, etc. Lateef said it’s critical that we defend this work, include everyone’s voice, offer opportunities to everyone. Hashmi said the use of the word “DEI” is simply “another coded language for racism, for misogyny” – said she’s stood up against Youngkin.
https://bluevirginia.us/2025/05/virginia-democratic-lt-governor-candidates-alex-bastani-ghazala-hashmi-babur-lateef-aaron-rouse-victor-salgado-levar-stoney-debate-tonight-at-7-pm-on-live-tv