Morrissey, describing himself as a “moderate Democrat,” recalled working for Saslaw’s Senate campaign in 1979 and told a humorous story about McAuliffe, years earlier in Dewey Beach, Del., assisting a bar bouncer by representing him before a local constable.

“Terry says, ‘I’m his attorney,’” Morrissey said, and the man was “acquitted at 2 o’clock in the morning,” after which the bouncer and McAuliffe returned to the bar.

“He never tried another criminal case in his life and he’s batting 1,000,” Morrissey quipped, receiving applause from the audience.

On a serious note, Morrissey said his top priorities in the Senate will be helping fight drug addiction, finding ways to help people with mental health problems who are in the court system, and pushing for Virginia to restore parole.

“I want to restore hope. I want to give people incentive,” Morrissey said. “I want them to know, if you’re in prison and you do well, you take advantage of programs, you get an education, then when you come out, OK, there’s something there for you.”