There’s not much daylight between the six Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor, that much was apparent as they faced off in a forum in Prince William County on Thursday night.
Former union leader and attorney Alex Bastani, Prince William School Board Chairman Babur Lateef, Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield County, Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, former federal prosecutor Victor Salgado and former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney took part in the hourlong forum hosted by 7News and the Northern Virginia Democratic Black Caucus.
The moderator, 7News anchor Kellye Lynn, asked the candidates a myriad of questions, from how to protect Virginia from economic hardship brought on by cuts to federal funding and workforce to education issues and how to overcome COVID-19-related learning loss.
Early voting is happening now for the June 17 primary. The winner will go on to face John Reid, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor.
Here’s what the candidates had to say in Thursday’s debate, in alphabetical order.
You can also find their answers to questions that Cardinal News posed in our Voter Guide.
What actions would you take to protect Virginia’s economy amid federal workforce and funding cuts?
Bastani said he would support universal health care for Virginians, raising the minimum wage to $20 per hour along with student debt relief. He also said he would repeal Virginia’s so-called “right to work” law.
Hashmi said she would ensure federal workers have access to legal representation and job training as well as benefits. She said she would ensure state agencies and programs are insulated from the Trump Administration’s actions.
Lateef said he would work to support pay raises and student graduation rates while ensuring federal workers are protected and able to access unemployment. He also said he would protect Medicaid and restore funding for job training.
Rouse said he would fight back against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk and pointed to his experience in helping to extend income tax credits and support child care in the state Senate.
Salgado said access to education and capital are needed to protect from federal cuts. He wants to extend lines of credit to small and medium-sized businesses and provide tax relief amid tariffs for those businesses.
Stoney said people need to stand up to the White House, that he would not be silent and would stand up for workers.
Do you support a casino in Tysons Corner?
Bastani said he came out against building a casino in Tysons Corner, but noted that the casino in Danville has been beneficial for the Southside city’s economy. He added that he is not a fan of gambling, but that the decision should ultimately be left up to the localities and residents.
Hashmi pointed to her six years of legislative experience and said she takes a look at any bill through the “lens” of working families. She said she would support any legislation that provides economic opportunity and “good union jobs.”
Lateef said he is opposed to building a casino in Tysons Corner and also said he opposes “skill games,” calling them addictive and predatory. He said that instead the state should diversify its economy to fund public infrastructure.
Rouse said the decision should be made at the local level through referendum, and that he is in support of economic opportunity.
Salgado said he was opposed to the proposed Tyson’s Corner casino, and came out swinging against the two state senators. He pointed out the need for campaign finance reform and accused Hashmi and Rouse of campaigning with casino money.
Stoney pointed out that, while he was mayor in Richmond, voters twice said no to proposed casinos that would have been built within city limits. He added that he supports the residents’ decision.
How would you work to improve student outcomes as they continue to recover from COVID-related learning loss?
Bastani pointed out a need for deep structural change in education. He said that Northern Virginia has the tax base to support that change and that those tax dollars need to be redistributed across the state.
Hashmi noted that she is the chair of the state Senate’s committee on health and education, and, in that role, she is “laser focused” on improving education for all children. She pointed out that she introduced a second omnibus bill to improve public education funding along with other education focused bills.
Lateef pointed to his time as chair of the Prince William County School Board, specifically a raise given to teachers. He argued that when teachers are paid more, students improve dramatically.
Rouse pointed out that he is the product of public school teachers. During his time in the state Senate, he introduced a budget amendment to improve teacher and support staff pay. He added that strong investments are needed in public education.
Salgado pointed to a recent JLARC study that said public education in Virginia is severely underfunded, and that the General Assembly needs to make sure public schools are adequately funded. Stoney said that, as mayor of Richmond, he saw funding for public schools and teacher pay increase, along with the construction of five schools. He added that the best way to improve student outcomes is to fund public education.
What is your position on DEI and how would you address concerns on both sides of the issue?
Bastani said the best form of DEI is the American labor movement. In his first month in office, if he were elected, he said the so-called “right to work” law must be repealed and the union movement must be strengthened.
Hashmi said Republican use of the phrase DEI is coded language for racism and misogyny.
Lateef said it is critical to defend diversity, equity and inclusion and to include everyone’s voice, and pointed out his time as Prince William School Board chair.
Rouse also called Republican references to DEI racist code language and that Trump and Musk are creating fear through their efforts against it. He also said Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s appointments to boards will be removed once he is out of office if they do not meet the standards necessary.
Salgado said the American story is the promise of opportunity for everyone, and called Trump’s election a major setback that caused division. He accused Trump of using “DEI” as an excuse to remove qualified people from their positions.
Stoney said Black and brown Virginians believe in equal opportunity, and that Trump wants to rip opportunity from people who worked hard to get to where they are. He pointed to Gen. Cedric Wins as an example. Wins is the superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute whose contract the school’s board of visitors declined to renew after Trump took office.
How would you address reductions in funding for programs that support victims of domestic violence?
Bastani said domestic violence is caused by difficult economic times and that people need access to resources like mental health care. He added that the minimum wage needs to be raised to allow domestic violence victims the opportunity to leave their abuser. He added that the so-called “right to work” law needs to be repealed.
Hashmi said that domestic violence victims need resources to get out of the violent situation. She added that funding is needed for nonprofit organizations that provide support for victims of domestic violence and that perpetrators of domestic violence need to be cut off from access to firearms.
Lateef said that organizations and programs that support victims and survivors of domestic violence need to be funded.
Rouse said that common sense gun laws need to be passed and partnerships with localities need to be rebuilt to make sure resources are available to victims of domestic violence.
Salgado said that defunding those programs was a political and moral choice. He added that the solution is to increase funding aggressively to make up for federal funding shortfalls and that gun safety laws need to be enhanced.
Stoney said that it is important for providers who act as a safety net for victims of domestic violence to receive funding to continue to operate.
How would you navigate the challenge of creating an environment where all students feel safe and comfortable while supporting families who support their child’s gender identity?
Bastani said it is going to cost money and facilities will need to be provided. He added that he wants to protect everyone, particularly children, that mental health assistance is needed, and communities need to work together to come to a solution.
Hashmi said she has been a consistent and strong ally of the LGBTQ+ community. She said it is “incumbent” upon lawmakers to provide civil rights protections for all, especially minority communities. She called the issue a distraction fabricated by Republicans.
Lateef said he has been on the front lines of all culture war issues as a school board chair. He added that he helped to create a strong policy against discrimination at the Prince William School District and noted that the policy supports mental health and protects all students while following federal laws.
Rouse said that the most vulnerable citizens must be protected, and called the topic a Republican wedge issue. He added that communities need to be rebuilt to support all members.
Salgado also called the topic a “Republican cultural wedge issue” and said this is not a problem on the minds of most Americans. He added that transgender people need to be protected.
Stoney said Virginia should be the most welcoming and inclusive state in the entire union and said he wants Virginians to be able to live as their true self. He also called the topic a Republican distraction and that the focus should be on how students are performing in classrooms.
You can watch a replay of the full debate here: 
