Virginia Governor's Race: Northam And Gillespie On The Issues

MCLEAN, VA—With just days left until Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 7), Democratic candidate Ralph Northam and Republican candidate Ed Gillespie continue to battle it out in the final days of the Virginia governor's race. But where do they stand on the issues?

If you need a refresher on what the candidates have to say about the budget, health care, Confederate monuments and more, we've got you covered. Today, Patch rounds up the candidates' stances on the issues.

Jobs

Gillespie: "As governor, Ed Gillespie will enact meaningful reform to remove barriers to job creation. Ed’s policies will make it easier for businesses to grow and thrive." (from Gillespie's official platform)

Northam: "Nobody in 2017 can support themselves, let alone their families, on a $7.25 an hour, so it’s incumbent on all of us to make sure we raise the minimum wage here in Virginia,” he said. “We need to make sure we’re training our children for 21st-century jobs. I think we’ve planted some great seeds in very fertile soil over the last four years." (from The Daily Progress)

Health Care

Gillespie: "Lost in the hysterics of the Left (including Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam and Congressman Tom Perriello) is the fact that Obamacare simply isn't working for Virginians and that Congress' actions to repeal and replace this disastrous policy is just the first step in a long process. Our premiums are skyrocketing, our choices in doctors are vanishing, and our economy remains stuck in neutral." (from Gillespie statement)

Northam: "[I have been] clear about where I stand — as governor and as a doctor, I will keep fighting this irresponsible effort to undermine our health care system and to ensure that no family is one medical illness away from financial demise in this commonwealth." (from Richmond Times-Dispatch)

MORE: Northam Vs. Gillespie: Where Candidates Stand On Health Care

Opioid Epidemic

Gillespie: "Thousands of Virginians are facing challenges with mental illness and addiction, and too many of them are struggling to find treatment and recovery. My plan will strengthen our mental and behavioral health services and fight the opioid epidemic that has swept across our Commonwealth." (from Gillespie statement)

Northam: “The opioid and heroin crisis is one of the most formidable challenges we face in the commonwealth. It truly is a public health emergency, and we’re feeling it deeply in Virginia. As governor, I’ll take on this challenge with a multifaceted approach by providing the necessary treatment and recovery resources, working with law enforcement, and fighting to eliminate interstate opioid ‘shopping.’” (from Northam statement)

Budget

Gillespie: "Ed Gillespie will reorient government to solve Virginia’s problems, demand evidence-based solutions, right-size our government to better steward taxpayer dollars and incentivize our state government workforce to be more responsive to our needs." (from Gillespie's official platform)

Northam: "Ralph knows that businesses are attracted to well-governed states. He was in the Virginia Senate when the Great Recession hit, and he voted to cut spending by $4.6 billion to keep our budget balanced." (from Northam's official platform)

Taxes

Gillespie: "The plan will cut income tax rates for all Virginians by 10 percent over a three-year period. For a family of four, the 'Cutting Taxes for ALLVirginians' Plan will mean $1,285 more in your pocket when fully phased in." (from Gillespie's official platform)

Northam: “To keep Virginia’s economy growing, I want to build the best workforce in the nation, pass bipartisan tax reform focusing on the middle class, and invest in growing industries like biotech, cybersecurity and health care." (from Northam campaign ad)

Education

Gillespie: "Ed and his team, working with the General Assembly and stakeholders, will tackle the challenge of failing schools head-on and meet our constitutional responsibility to ensure that every child, in every community, has access to a high quality, safe and student-focused public education." (from Gillespie's official platform)

Northam: "Ralph will fight to defend our public schools and will support classroom innovation to develop new methods of teaching our kids the skills they need for a 21st century economy." (from Northam's official platform)

Immigration

Gillespie: "As governor, Ed will stand with our law enforcement and first responders, protect Virginia from those who wish to do us harm, ensure that sanctuary cities that are a safe haven for violent criminals here illegally are never allowed in the Commonwealth, and combat violent gangs like MS-13." (from Gillespie campaign manager Chris Leavitt)

Northam: "Northam understands immigration is a federal issue in need of a federal solution--asking Virginia law enforcement to bear the cost of a do-nothing Congress and increase their legal liability is not the way to protect Virginia families." (from Washington Post)

"If that bill comes to by desk ... I sure will. I’ve always been opposed to sanctuary cities." (from Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Working With President Trump

Gillespie: "Having a governor who can work with a Republican House, a Republican Senate, President Trump, Vice President Pence, the Trump administration, I think, is an asset for us in Virginia and would be good for the people of the commonwealth." (from The Virginian-Pilot)

Northam: "As a doctor, nobody ever asks if I’m a Democrat or a Republican. They just want my help. So if Donald Trump is helping Virginia, I’ll work with him. But Donald Trump proposed cutting Virginia’s school funding, rolling back our clean air and water protections, and taking away healthcare from thousands of Virginians. … I’ve stood up to Donald Trump on all of it." (from Northam campaign ad)

WATCH: Trump Factor Dominates In Virginia Governor Race

Confederate Monuments

Gillespie: "My view is that the statues should remain and we should place them in historical context so people can learn. We don't have to glorify the objects of the statues, we can educate about them (from NBC News debate)

Northam: "Personally I would think that the statues would be better placed in museums with historical context, but I am leaving that up to the localities." (from NBC News debate)

MORE: Virginia Governor's Race 2017: Confederate Monument Issue Looms

In addition to Northam and Gillespie, libertarian Cliff Hyra is running for governor. Justin Fairfax (D) and Jill Vogel (R) are running for lieutenant governor and incumbent Mark Herring (D) and John Adams (R) are running for attorney general. All House of Delegates seats are up for grabs. Check your local sample ballot for candidates.

Voting is open Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Find your voting location online through the Virginia Department of Elections' search tool. You can vote in the Democratic primary or the Republican primary, but not both. Photo identification is required by Virginia law.

Ralph Northam image via Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post via Associated Press

Ed Gillespie image via Steve Helber, Associated Press