ROANOKE, Va. – With the Democratic primary now over, and former Governor Terry McAuliffe winning the Democratic nomination Tuesday night, Virginians have a clear choice in November’s election.
“We have a really clear distinctive choice in November,” said the Republican candidate, Glenn Youngkin, in an interview with 10 News.
Youngkin says he stands for traditional Virginia values. He wants to build the economy by eliminating red tape and making the state an easy place to do business.
Democrat Terry McAuliffe also calls himself the economic development candidate but supports the typically Democratic call for a hike to the minimum wage.
“Number one we’ve got a raise the minimum wage to $15.00 and we’ve got to do it in 2024. It is critical for folks that they be able to get paid minimum wage. Paying below the poverty wage is just not what we do to our families,” the former governor said.
He is also calling for more money for teachers, saying Virginia lags behind other states.
“The biggest investment is in education, paying teachers above the national average for the first time ever. Right now Virginia ranks 50th out of 50 states,” he said.
Youngkin says he will not support critical race theory in schools.
“How do we return our schools to a standard of excellence, where they’re not just open but in fact, the curriculum is going to teach our children how to think,” Youngkin said.
Both candidates say they want to help the Roanoke region attract business by leveraging the area’s good schools, outdoor attractions, and low cost of living.
Youngkin wants a tax holiday for businesses.
McAuliffe wants businesses to offer more sick pay for workers.
But both think they will be the one to make a difference.
“I was big and bold before and now I’ll take it to the next level,” McAuliffe said.
“Well he didn’t do a good job last time as governor and he wants to drive back again and I think Virginians are ready to make a very different choice,” Youngkin said.