Themed 'the fiscal future of Virginia,' the debate unfolded at George Mason University. Jackson, Northam clash in Va. debate

In Virginia’s first lieutenant governor’s debate, Democrat Ralph Northam threw sharp jabs cloaked in a soft drawl at firebrand Republican opponent E.W. Jackson as the two clashed substantively and stylistically.

“I can tell you that I have raised my children, along with my wife, in a responsible home,” Northam said. “I have run a successful business. I have never declared bankruptcy. I have never had liens placed against my property. … I have never been sued by my hometown for not paying my taxes.”


Those were references to several acknowledgments that Jackson, a minister, has made about his past — barbs that weren’t lost on the audience, which tittered at the comment. The debate, its theme “the fiscal future of Virginia,” unfolded in a mostly full auditorium at George Mason University in Arlington. Jackson, a bishop, appeared onstage several days after he raised eyebrows for saying that non-Christians are “engaged in some sort of false religion.”

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“I know the difference between what I do [in church] and what I’m required to do here,” he said at the debate. “If I’m elected, I’m going to serve all the people of Virginia regardless of what their religious background is. … I’m not running to be preacher, theologian, bishop, pastor of Virginia. I’m running to be lieutenant governor of Virginia.”

But Northam, a physician and a state senator from Norfolk, said that explanation didn’t cut it.

“Those comments, whether they’re said in a church or on the floor of the Senate, they’re offensive,” said Northam, who described himself as a “man of faith.” “And they should be offensive to all Virginians and they have no place in the Commonwealth of Virginia. That’s not the state that I love,” he continued as his words were drowned out by applause.

It certainly was not the first time Jackson has come under fire for his rhetoric. He has also described gay people as “very sick people psychologically and mentally and emotionally,” called Planned Parenthood more devastating than the Ku Klux Klan to the African-American community, and once suggested yoga leads to Satanism, though he later walked back that remark.

During the debate, Northam often drew on his experiences in the military and as a doctor with his own private practice, painting himself as a knowledgeable businessman with moderate credentials. He thanked the moderator after most questions and was soft-spoken even as he skewered Jackson on several occasions.

Jackson, in his booming preacher’s voice, positioned himself as a conservative standard-bearer deeply opposed to President Barack Obama’s health care law; a champion of gun rights, small government and school choice; and a candidate well-versed in the Constitution and the American Dream. He also acknowledged multiple times that not all in his Northern Virginia audience would share his policy positions.

“I think it’s important that we have an exchange of ideas and be able to talk to one another, not talk about a caricature that is painted of someone, but talk about who we really are, and I think it takes a little time to get to know someone for who they really are,” he said. “So, even those of you who may not be inclined to agree with me, I would … hope that at least you would take the time to learn more about me and I’d like to hear more from you.”

But Northam frequently came back to Jackson’s more polarizing statements. Taking a page from Democratic gubernatorial contender Terry McAuliffe’s playbook, he took every opportunity to hammer Republicans on social issues.

“The light has to be on in Virginia that we are open for business,” he said in his opening statement. “That starts with stopping the assault on women’s reproductive health care” and “stopping discrimination against the LGBT community.”

Jackson, for the most part, didn’t take the bait on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage, about which Northam also spoke passionately.

“I am unabashedly pro-life,” Jackson said simply on the abortion issue. “I don’t make any apologies for that. I always do everything in my power to persuade others to do the right thing … to protect lives of unborn children.”

Jackson said that he would not challenge Virginia’s constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage, but noted he would be lieutenant governor “of all the people, it doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything.”

A Washington Post poll published on Monday found a tight race among likely voters: Northam led Jackson 45 percent to 42 percent.