Warner’s shadow looms over the race for governor
Mark Warner is not on the Nov. 8 ballot, but his shadow looms over the race among the three men who seek to succeed him as governor.
Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine repeatedly reminds voters that he would carry the mantle of fellow Democrat Warner, who is barred by law from seeking re-election.
Mark Warner is not on the Nov. 8 ballot, but his shadow looms over the race among the three men who seek to succeed him as governor.
Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine repeatedly reminds voters that he would carry the mantle of fellow Democrat Warner, who is barred by law from seeking re-election.
Republican Jerry Kilgore, Virginia’s former attorney general, says Kaine is more liberal than Warner – and “too liberal to be governor.”
Kilgore, who strongly supports capital punishment, has tried to make the death penalty the dominant issue in the race. Kaine says that as a Catholic, he opposes capital punishment but would carry out the death-penalty law if elected.
Polls show Kaine and Potts neck and neck. State Sen. H. Russell Potts, a Republican running as an independent, barely registers in the polls but still could be a factor in deciding the election.
Here is how the candidates stand on key issues:
| Tim Kaine | Jerry Kilgore | Russell Potts | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  | |
Party affiliation | Democrat, Richmond | Republican, Henrico County (formerly of Gate City) | Independent, Winchester |
Transportation | Kaine would require developers to submit a traffic impact statement to get land rezoned. He would require the Virginia Department of Transportation to study the traffic and land-use impacts of road projects. He says communities should be able to reject projects that might cause congestion. He says road funds should be used only for transportation. | Kilgore says the state’s Transportation Trust Fund, made up of gas tax revenues, should be used only for transportation purposes. He says people convicted of the most serious traffic crimes should face greater penalties. Kilgore says VDOT should partner with private industry to develop and finish transportation projects. | Potts would call a special legislative session to “adopt a strategic vision” for transportation, especially in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. He also wants to look for new funding for transportation. Possibilities include a sales tax increase, tolls on the interstate, and an increased tobacco tax. |
Taxes | Kaine has come under scrutiny because his fellow Democrat, Gov. Mark Warner, promised not to raise taxes but did. Kaine says he will not promise that he won’t raise taxes. However, he said he will look for opportunities to cut taxes. He supports cutting homeowners’ taxes and creating tax credits for small businesses. | Kilgore believes Virginians should have a say in what taxes are imposed upon them. He believes proposed tax increases should be put to a referendum – except when Virginia faces “cataclysmic financial distress.” In such emergencies, Kilgore would allow a one-year tax hike if approved the governor and two-thirds of legislators. | Potts has said, “I hate taxes, but I love Virginia more.” He says he opposes using the state’s general operating fund (which supports schools and other services) to finance transportation. Instead, Potts said he would find revenues elsewhere – possibly from an increase in the sales tax or tobacco tax. |
Education | Potts has said, “I hate taxes, but I love Virginia more.” He says he opposes using the state’s general operating fund (which supports schools and other services) to finance transportation. Instead, Potts said he would find revenues elsewhere – possibly from an increase in the sales tax or tobacco tax. | Kilgore said he believes in the three R’s: recruit, retain and reward. He wants to focus on recruiting excellent teachers and retaining them by creating a “single salary structure.” He also would create a statewide bonus system for teachers. | Potts would create two rigorous “high tech” high schools, in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. He has criticized as “horrible policy” No Child Left Behind, the federal law that sets school standards. |
Abortion | Kaine says he has religious opposition to abortion and would try to reduce abortions. He said he would seek to ban “partial birth” abortions, support abstinence-focused education for teens, ensure women access to contraceptives and promote adoption. | Kilgore says he supports a “culture of life” and “reasonable safeguards” regarding abortion. They include parental consent and parental notification laws, a 24-hour waiting period before having an abortion and a ban on “partial birth” abortions. | Potts supports Roe vs. Wade, the court ruling that allows women to choose an abortion. As governor, Potts said, he would veto attempts to overturn the ruling. He supports parental consent rules, a 24-hour waiting period and a ban of “partial birth” abortions. |
Sources: www.jerrykilgore.com; www.russpotts.com; www.kaine2005.org; candidate debates and other news reports | |||
