NEW TV AD: John Reid Plans to Close Public Schools, Funnel Taxpayer Dollars Into Wealthy Private Schools

UPDATE 7:55 pm: See below for a press release from DPVA about John Reid’s weird “debate” tonight with “AI Hashmi”…seriously, not a joke as Joe Biden liked to say! LOL

DPVA Statement on Ghazala Hashmi’s Victory In Tonight’s Fake LG Debate

RICHMOND, VA — Tonight, the Democratic Party of Virginia released the following statement congratulating AI Ghazala Hashmi for winning John Reid’s fake debate:

“During the AI debate, John Reid doubled down on his plans to defund public education and funnel taxpayer dollars into private institutions. In John Reid’s dystopian online world – public schools are closed, there is no access to reproductive care and there are no basic freedoms for our people. This is further proof that John Reid is just like Donald Trump – he only cares about shoddy gimmicks and dirty tricks, and does not care about governing.

“Meanwhile, the real Senator Ghazala Hashmi is focused on the real issues facing Virginians — from protecting access to health care and basic freedoms to investing in public schools to ensure every child can get ahead. We thank John Reid for sharing Ghazala Hashmi’s vision for Virginia and congratulate her on winning this debate.”

See below for some key quotes and screenshots taken directly from tonight’s debate:

From the Ghazala Hashmi for LG campaign:

NEW TV AD: John Reid Plans to Close Public Schools, Funnel Taxpayer Dollars Into Wealthy Private Schools

RICHMOND, VA — Today, the Ghazala for Virginia campaign announced a new TV and digital ad, airing with a seven-figure buy in all media markets across the state starting this week, highlighting John Reid’s plans to defund public education and jeopardize the future success of children in every corner of Virginia.

The new ad draws attention to Reid’s own words making it clear he wants to “close the public schools” and “break the whole [public education] system,” “curtail” public education funding, and use “public funds” for “vouchers for private schools.”

Click here to watch Hashmi’s new ad titled “Unreal,” and see below for transcript:

Virginian: These are John Reid’s own words…

Virginian reading Reid’s words: ‘It truly may be time to just close the public schools.’

Virginian reading Reid’s words: ‘They’re a disaster.’

Virginian reading Reid’s words: ‘So do we continue letting them exist?’

Virginian reading Reid’s words: ‘I say we break the whole system.’

Virginian: Reid is pushing to defund every last public school,

Virginian: And to use our tax dollars to fund wealthy private schools.

Virginian: We can’t let Reid destroy our children’s future.

Virginian: Destroy our children’s future.

Background:

While Reid has doubled down that he supports closing Virginia’s public schools and funneling tax payer dollars into expensive private schools, Sen. Hashmi will prioritize fully funding our public education system to ensure all children in Virginia can enjoy quality education that prepares them for well-paying jobs or higher education.

After a 2023 report found that Virginia schools were suffering due to severe underfunding, Sen. Hashmi fought to secure historic increases in public education funding to ensure Virginia has the best K-12 schools in the nation. Sen. Hashmi championed efforts to give teachers a raise to make sure that Virginia remains a leader in attracting and retaining excellent teachers, earning her the Virginia Education Association’s Legislator of the Year award in 2025. She has created opportunities for students, including expanding access to internships and learning opportunities in collaboration with Virginia employers.

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