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Tomorrow is the Virginia State Primary. Barring a surprise victory in the Republican Primary, it is expected to be a race in November between the current Lieutenant Governor Democrat Tim Kaine and the current Attorney General Republican Jerry Kilgore. But the race for Lieutenant Governor, the No. 2 position, is wide open. This important position — a stepping stone to the Governorship — is contested by 4 Democrats and 2 Republicans. The 4 Democrats will debate tonight on THE INSIDE SCOOP in a show televised in Northern Virginia on Channel 10 (Cox Cable).
The candidates (listed in order of their appearance in the debate) are all in the State House of Delegates or State Senate:
Senator Leslie L. Byrne of Fairfax County
Delegate Viola Baskerville of Richmond
Senator Phillip P. Puckett of Lebanon
Delegate J. Chapman Petersen of Fairfax City
I will moderate the debate and ask questions along with Delegate Mark Sickles and Senator Mary Margaret Whipple.
For Virginians, this is a tremendous opportunity to help make an important decision in tomorrow’s election.
For non-Virginians, it gives insight into the status of the Democratic Party in Northern Virginia, a blue pocket of a red State. Virginia, although Red, is increasingly heading toward the Blue. The local issues in Virginia are not that different from the local issues nationwide: taxes, education, environment. Although THE INSIDE SCOOP usually focuses on national issues and politics, sometimes it is important to see the local trees in the national forest.