Debate Time

Jody Wagner, the Democrat's candidate for lieutenant governor, has just raised the stakes in her bid to unseat incumbent Republican Bill Bolling. In an open challenge to Bolling, Jody requested that the two spar in five monthly debates. Now that's a whole lot of talking. This move will put both candidates on their feet and increase the possibility of a "maccaca moment" for either candidate. Jody also wants the debates to occur in different regions across our diverse state. In a written statement from Mrs. Jody Wagner, she said:"I believe it's important that voters have a clear understanding of both candidates, including our records, priorities and visions for the future." Bolling's camp has stated that they have not made contact with the Wagner campaign. "I'm confident there will be opportunities for debates during the course of the campaign," Bill Bolling's Campaign Manager Matt Wells said. I guess we'll all be wondering whether the Bolling and Wagner folks can coordinate something like this. As voters, we should encourage this public discourse as it leads to a well-informed electorate and healthy debate.

Source: http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/LGOV12_20090611-221201/273401/

The Other Race

With the Virginia Governor's Race garnering national attention, there is one race in particular that has received little attention at all. That would be the horse race for Lieutenant Governor. There are two candidates in the running to be the Democratic Nominee who takes on the current Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling.

Our first candidate is Jody Wagner. Wagner has quite the resume. Prior to her work with the state government, Jody Wagner studied law at Vanderbilt University and earned a Juris Doctor. She spent 18 years working at a law firm in Norfolk. In 2000, she ran as the Democratic Candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, but she ultimately lost to Ed Schrock. She was appointed by Governor Mark Warner to be the state's Treasurer. Under her tenure, Virginia saw a period of superb fiscal management and Virginia was rated as one of the best managed states in the nation. Wagner also served as the President of the National Association of State Treasurers. Governor Kaine appointed Jody to fulfill the role as Secretary of Finance in his administration. Her website describes Jody as a wise caretaker of this state's fiscal resources who will work to invest in education and infrastructure and expand healthcare coverage.

The other candidate to throw his hat into the ring is Mike Signer. Mike Signer has worked in the political arena mainly as an insider. With a J.D. from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D.

from the University of California at Berkley, he has worked as a deputy councilor to Governor Warner on Homeland Security and National Guard Policy. Signer has also worked for the Center for American Progress as a senior policy advisor. He has also worked on several political campaigns. During the 2004 presidential elections, Signer worked for the Wesley Clarke for President Campaign as an associate communications director. He also worked for John Edwards as a senior policy advisor. Most recently, Signer was a senior strategist for the Tom Perriello Congressional Campaign that unseated Republican incumbent Virgil Goode. He has also worked for the Obama Veteran's Policy Development Team. He also wants to expand health care coverage and bring jobs back to our commonwealth. He also has taken a keen interest in Veteran's affairs.

Each candidate offers a diverse array of qualifications and ideas. On Tuesday, the decision is your on who will represent our party to victory and reclaim the lieutenant governorship for the Democrats. Tomorrow, I will endorse the candidate who is best qualified and best fit to win in November.