Voter Guide: Democratic primary for Virginia governor

Creigh Deeds

Residence Millboro Springs in Bath County

Occupation Attorney with Framme Law Firm, specializing in personal injury, criminal and civil litigation, real estate, domestic relations and estate planning.

Personal Born in Richmond; age 51; married to Pam Deeds; four children.

Experience State senator (25th District), 2002-present, member of Senate committees on agriculture and natural resources, courts, transportation and elections; state House of Delegates, 1992-2001; Bath County commonwealth’s attorney, 1987-1992; unsuccessful candidate for state attorney general, 2005.

Education Law degree, Wake Forest University, 1984; bachelor’s degree, Concord College, 1980.

Contact (434) 202-8931; creigh@deedsforvirginia.com; www.deedsforvirginia.com

 Why people should vote for me

“I’m the best prepared Democrat to lead Virginia forward and I will put us in the strongest position to beat Bob McDonnell in November. The most important job of our next governor will be to restore public confidence in the economy and to create good-paying jobs for middle-class families. And I’m ready to hit the ground running with a common-sense plan to rebuild Virginia’s economy with smart investments in education, a statewide solution for transportation, and alternative and renewable energy. I’m the only one in this race with a proven record of winning Democratic, independent, and even some Republican votes – votes that we need to beat Bob McDonnell in November. The editorial page editor of this newspaper recently said that I am the candidate who 'fits most naturally into the moderate mold shaped by Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.’ I would appreciate your vote on June 9.”

 Where he stands on the issues

Education Wants to offer more grants to low-income college students and more guaranteed loans to students. Says graduates who become teachers in “high-need areas” or science and math disciplines could have their loans forgiven over time. Wants stronger high school course work so that every senior can graduate with a semester’s worth of college credit or substantial job training. Supports raising teacher pay at public schools to the national average. Wants to expand the state’s pre-kindergarten education programs. Does not say how he would pay for all his proposals.

Jobs and the economy Wants to make transportation improvements a key focus of his job creation plans, through both the labor involved in building more roads and mass transit and the economic growth that such projects can encourage. Also contends that public education can be improved, leading to a better trained work force that makes Virginia more attractive to higher-paying employers. Wants to spend $10 million for job training grants to help workers learn more marketable job skills. Wants to encourage green industries, such as biofuel production, by developing public-private partnerships and offering tax breaks or grants to companies that develop environmentally friendly jobs. Does not say how he would pay for transportation improvements, job programs or educational improvements.

Transportation Says the fastest way to revive Virginia’s economy is a statewide solution to transportation problems. Has supported major road projects in Hampton Roads but says mass transit also has to be a priority. Wants to develop – with federal assistance – high-speed rail from Washington to Richmond to Hampton Roads. Want to expand light rail beyond Norfolk’s current project. Supports tax credits for companies with telecommuting workers and workers who use mass transit or carpool. Does not say how he would raise money to pay for transportation improvements but has said the cost should be borne by all Virginians, not just those in urban areas. Has supported a gasoline tax in the past but now says that form of taxation may be obsolete. Would consider tolls but is not wed to any specific revenue source. Has said he is keeping options open.

Energy and the environment Favors drilling offshore for natural gas and oil as long as specific safeguards are put in place. Supports proposed coal-fired power plant in Surry County, arguing that the state needs to have a balanced energy portfolio. Wants to require Virginia’s utilities to produce at least 15 percent of their power from renewable energy sources by 2025. Wants to build three facilities by 2020 to develop fuel from biomass, such as switchgrass, algae, poultry waste and agriculture waste. Supports public-private partnerships to build wind farms in Southwest Virginia and off the coast of Virginia Beach by 2012. Wants to reduce state government energy consumption by 20 percent in four years.

Terry McAuliffe

Residence Fairfax County

Occupation Businessman, Democratic Party official

Personal Born in Syracuse, N.Y.; age 52; married to Dorothy McAuliffe; five children.

Experience Chairman of Hillary Clinton for President, 2007-08; chairman of Democratic National Committee, 2001-05; finance chairman for Clinton/Gore re-election campaign, 1995-96; finance chairman of Dick Gephardt for President, 1988; finance director for Jimmy Carter for President, 1980. Chairman, American Heritage Homes, 1996-2000; chairman, Federal City National Bank, 1988-92; partner in McAuliffe, Kelly law firm, 1984-94.

Education Law degree, Georgetown University Law Center, 1984; bachelor’s degree, Catholic University of America, 1979.

Contact (571) 633-4800; info@terrymcauliffe.com; www.terrymcauliffe.com

 Why people should vote for me

“For nearly 20 years, I’ve lived in Northern Virginia, and I have never seen people hurting more than they are right now. Traveling across the commonwealth, I have heard some heartbreaking stories from people who have lost their jobs, or are in danger of losing their homes, or don’t know how they’re going to pay to put their kids through college. I am the only candidate in this race with the experience to get hard-working Virginians back to work. Over the course of my career, I have built up executive experience not only starting my own businesses, but creating thousands of jobs that brought new prosperity into local communities. My business plan for Virginia is full of strong ideas that will move our state forward. I believe that not only do I have the best ideas, but that I am the best equipped to turn those ideas into reality.”

 Where he stands on the issues

Education Wants to upgrade technology and broadband access in elementary and high schools. Supports raising public school teacher salaries to the national average. Wants to allow qualified high school seniors to become full-time college students a year early. Says state universities can generate millions of dollars by increasing the commercialization of their research. Wants to use half the income from such research to lower tuition costs. Wants to forgive a graduating student’s college loan in exchange for two years of public service, such as teaching. Wants to invest more in community colleges using federal stimulus funds. Does not say how he will pay for all his proposals.

Jobs and the economy Favors encouraging growth industries – such as renewable energy – with tax breaks, grants and special training. Wants state to move more quickly when creating incentive packages – if necessary, by calling special General Assembly sessions to put together specific deals. Supports state tax credits for research and development. Wants to offer millions more in grants to local communities for improvements that can help lure a new company. Proposes allowing start-up firms to defer their taxes for a few years to help them get established. Wants to speed up government reviews and permitting of projects. Would expand broadband access. Wants to develop a more capable work force. Does not say how he would pay for the programs or raise the money for grants and tax breaks.

Transportation Says the transportation debate has been too focused on roads and wants to also make rail projects a priority – particularly high-speed rail between Richmond and Washington with a spur from Hampton Roads to Richmond. Supports infrastructure improvements, including bridge-tunnel projects in Hampton Roads. Says new revenue is needed but won’t say what taxes or fees might have to rise. Vows not to raise any taxes until unemployment is lower. Does not say how he would raise money to pay for transportation improvements, noting that he doesn’t have “a silver bullet solution.” Said Virginians need to have an “honest discussion about revenue” for roads. Blames the House of Delegates for not agreeing to a funding solution.

Energy and the environment Supports drilling offshore for natural gas but not for oil. Hasn’t given an opinion on the proposed coal plant in Surry County, saying he wants more study. Wants state rules on coal plants to require any new facilities “be as clean as possible.” Favors requiring Virginia’s utilities to produce at least 25 percent of their power from renewable energy sources by 2025. Wants to streamline the government process for approving industries that produce alternative fuels or renewable power. Proposes a $100 million “energy independence fund” to retrofit homes to be more energy-efficient and reduce government use of fossil fuel, but would delay fully funding the initiative until after the recession.

Brian Moran

Residence Alexandria

Occupation Attorney (self-employed)

Personal Born in Natick, Mass.; age 49; married to Karyn Moran; two children.

Experience Member of House of Delegates (46th District), 1996-2008 (resigned to run for governor), served on House committees on courts, transportation, health and welfare; chairman of House Democratic Caucus, 2001. Prosecutor in Arlington’s commonwealth’s attorney’s office, 1989-1995.

Education Law degree, Catholic University of America, 1988; bachelor’s degree, Framington State College, 1982.

Contact (757) 552-9902; info@brianmoran.com; www.brianmoran.com

 Why people should vote for me

“I am running for governor because in these uncertain times, we need a proven fighter who will put Virginia’s families first. Today, Virginia’s families are struggling. I grew up in a family of seven kids that struggled to pay the mortgage. My father got laid off from his job and mom began making powdered milk to save money. When I hear people’s stories today, that awful taste of powdered milk comes back. That’s why, as governor, I will focus on rebuilding our economy from the bottom up, not the top down, by keeping the doors on Main streets across Virginia open with a small-business job creation tax credit, and on putting money back into the pockets of hardworking Virginians. And my home owners’ bill of rights will help keep Virginians in their homes and out of foreclosure. We will raise teacher salaries, expand health care and create thousands of green jobs.”

 Where he stands on the issues

Education Wants to continue to expand pre-kindergarten education. Favors bringing teachers’ salaries up to the national average and expanding their retirement benefits. Supports reducing class sizes, adding more Advanced Placement courses in high schools and giving high school seniors more options for earning college credits. Wants to add a financial literacy course to teach basics such as getting a loan and household budgeting. Wants to ban trans fats in school cafeterias. Does not say how he would pay for all the programs. Notes that one funding source could be placing all teachers on one state health insurance plan – an idea he says could “save hundreds of millions of dollars.”

Jobs and the economy Sees development of small businesses as critical. Supports offering tax credits to small businesses if they hire new workers for at least a year and exempting them from corporate income tax if they make less than $200,000 a year. Wants to offer more funding to groups that provide training and financial help to start-up businesses. Favors raising the state’s minimum wage, tying increases to inflation. Sees transportation projects and expansion of broadband access as keys to growing the economy. Wants to create an “economic strike force” to focus on improving the economies of the state’s most depressed regions.

Transportation Favors major improvements to transportation systems in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia. Wants to develop high-speed rail and more mass transit. Priorities include the TransDominion Express – a proposed passenger train line across the state – as well as freight rail along Interstate 81, completing rail to the Washington area’s Dulles International Airport and creating high-speed rail from Northern Virginia to Richmond to Hampton Roads. Does not say how he would raise money to pay for transportation improvements. Says that given the current recession, he does not propose any tax or fee increases. Has set aside a proposal he made last year to raise the state sales tax by 1 cent on the dollar, with an exemption for food and prescription drugs, to pay for transportation projects.

Energy and the environment Opposes all efforts to allow oil and natural gas drilling off the Virginia coast. Opposes construction of a new coal-fired power plant in Surry County and says he would work to stop it if elected. Wants to require Virginia’s utilities to produce at least 25 percent of their power from renewable energy sources by 2025. Wants to increase land preservation, including historic battlefields and working farms. Wants the state to promote and financially support more development of solar power, wind energy, and other green technology. Proposes to save energy by compensating electric utilities for being more efficient.

– Compiled by Pilot writer Bill Bartel

Sources: Candidate position papers, interviews, campaign Web sites, The Virginian-Pilot, The Washington Post and The Roanoke Times.