Transportation is a key difference between the candidates.

Fairfax believes that transportation is crucial to the state’s economy and criticized Vogel for voting against a 2013 bill that directed millions toward statewide transportation projects.

“You can’t vote no on that [transportation] bill and then say we need to invest in infrastructure,” Fairfax said in a recent interview with the FLS editorial board. “People are tired of that.”

He said he would “entertain” a bill creating a regional transportation authority if localities want it. Such authorities have helped the Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia regions use special taxes to raise millions for transportation projects in those areas. Fredericksburg-area officials have been haggling over the prospect of creating a transportation authority to help fund regional transportation projects.

Vogel told the FLS editorial board that such authorities are passing the buck and that there is money in the state budget to pay for transportation projects. The money has to be used better, she said.

OTHER ISSUES

The candidates also differ on health care, with Vogel calling this potentially the biggest issue in the state.