Kaine’s Commitment to Virginians’ Safety and Security Takes Center Stage in New TV Ad; Contrasts to Corey Stewart Calling Defense Bill a “Nightmare” and “Disaster”

From Sen. Tim Kaine’s campaign:

In a new television ad set to begin airing Thursday, Senator Tim Kaine emphasizes his “work to keep all Virginians safe,” pointing to his successful legislative efforts to expand the Navy and increase troop pay. Filmed in Northern Virginia with the Pentagon in the background, the ad presents Kaine’s support for national security and protecting Virginians from harm in contrast to Corey Stewart’s March 2018 remarks urging President Trump to veto the bill that funded key defense priorities. Kaine says Stewart’s approach “would hurt Virginia and threaten our security,” adding, “Keeping America safe has to be a top priority.”

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the father of a U.S. Marine, and a Senator for one of the most military-connected states, Kaine has long fought for increased military funding to support America’s troops and keep the country safe. This is a sharp contrast with Corey Stewart, who has consistently opposed efforts that would strengthen the military and keep Virginians safe.

Examples include:

• In the spring, Kaine supported the omnibus budget bill that included support for expanding the Navy and shipbuilding as well as a troop pay raise. Stewart called this bill a “disaster” and urged President Trump to veto it; Trump instead signed it into law.

• Kaine successfully fought to ensure the fiscal year 2019 defense authorization bill included a military pay raise and an increase in the Navy fleet to 355 ships, among other provisions to support U.S. national security. Kaine helped pass the legislation named for the late Senator John McCain, which President Trump signed into law in August.

• Kaine voted two weeks ago for the fiscal year 2019 defense appropriations bill that funds many of these key defense priorities; it passed the Senate. Stewart tweeted trashing that bill.

Kaine has made Virginians’ safety and security a central focus of his campaign – going back to his spring launch tour which included “security for all” as a key platform plank of his campaign. In recent weeks, Kaine has joined former CIA officer Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee in the 7th Congressional District, former Navy commander Elaine Luria, the Democratic nominee in the 2nd Congressional District, and former prosecutor Jennifer Wexton, the Democratic nominee in the 10th Congressional District, as well as other stakeholders and experts for a series of national security and public safety panel discussions across Virginia. Kaine has prioritized supporting the military and veterans, increasing military spending, expanding the Navy, addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and promoting comprehensive immigration reform, among other proposals, in his platform for keeping Virginians safe.

The 30-second ad will run as part of a six-figure buy in the Richmond, Norfolk, Roanoke and Tri-Cities markets beginning on Thursday.

Transcript of ‘Safe’

[KAINE]
In the Senate, I work to keep all Virginians safe.

I’m Tim Kaine — I helped lead efforts to grow our Navy to 355 ships and increase troop pay.

But Corey Stewart said this about that budget bill:

[STEWART V.O.]
“Just an absolute nightmare and a disaster. I wish the president had vetoed it.”

[KAINE]
That would hurt Virginia and threaten our security.

I approve this message because keeping America safe has to be a top priority.