See below for video of Wednesday night’s VA-02 candidate forum between Democrats Karen Mallard and Elaine Luria. Also see below for a press release I just received from the Mallard campaign, summarizing the forum and also announcing that Mallard’s been endorsed by former VA-02 Democratic candidate Garry Hubbard.
Karen Mallard Steps to the Forefront at Williamsburg Candidate Forum
Williamsburg – April 12, 2018 – Karen Mallard, who’s vying for the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, was front and center laying out her vision for the future at Wednesday’s Candidate Forum at the College of William & Mary.
Armed with an endorsement from a onetime rival, Mallard fielded questions from an energized audience at the forum sponsored by the William & Mary Young Democrats and the Williamsburg-James City County Democrats.
Mallard and her opponent in the June 12 Democratic Primary, Elaine Luria, fielded questions on a variety of subjects including the environment and offshore drilling, DACA and the fate of Dreamers, the affordability of education, health care, unions, and issues facing veterans.
In her closing statement, Mallard promised to keep fighting for a $15-an-hour minimum wage, universal health care and comprehensive gun reform.
She saved her most pointed criticism for the current Congressman from the 2nd District.
Holding aloft a thick red folder, Mallard was blunt.
“This is my folder on Scott Taylor and how he voted. So before I went to vote in 2016, I made sure I knew he had an “A” rating from the NRA and an “F” from the Virginia Education Association. I knew where he stood on all the issues and I made an informed vote.
“I knew Scott Taylor was going to vote to repeal Health Care and that’s why I didn’t vote for him.,” she said, referring to the fact that Luria voted for Taylor over the Democrat in the 2016 general election.
She closed with an appeal for people’s support and their vote, assuring them that “I am the candidate who will repeal and replace Scott Taylor.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Mallard picked up an endorsement from her former rival for the Democratic nomination, earning the backing of Navy Veteran and retired businessman, Garry Hubbard.
Speaking at the Virginia Beach Democratic Women’s’ Club luncheon, Hubbard praised Mallard, calling her “one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met” and “a fighter and just the person we need heading into battle” against Scott Taylor and the Republican Party.
Hubbard went on to offer his unqualified endorsement.
“I totally and 100 percent support and endorse Karen Mallard. She has my full backing and support.”
Mallard, for her part, was pleased to hear Hubbard’s kind words..
“Garry Hubbard brought a lot to this race,” she said. “He cares deeply about this country and the problems we’re facing. Out on the campaign trail, I appreciated his kindness and professionalism and I’m honored to accept his endorsement now.”
Karen Mallard will face the voters once again at the Second Congressional District Candidate Forum & Straw Poll at Granby High School in Norfolk on April 29, the event – sponsored by Indivisible757 and the Norfolk Democratic Committee – set to run from 4-6:30 p.m.
Virginia’s 2nd District has emerged as one of the most closely-watched Congressional races in the country, with the Democrats focused on picking up the key seat in their bid to regain control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 2010.
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