State and National Government
(AP) The candidates in Virginia’s U.S. Senate made President Donald Trump a focal point as they sparred in their first debate. Republican Corey Stewart accused Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of hurting Virginia’s interests by reflexively opposing Trump’s agenda. Kaine said Stewart would blindly follow the president, particularly when it comes to the U.S.’s relationship with Russia. The pair debated Saturday at an event sponsored by the Virginia Bar Association held at the posh Homestead Resort in Bath County. The candidates clashed on a variety of issues like taxes, immigration and abortion. They also often traded personal jabs. Stewart said Kaine was “too weak” and “too liberal.” Kaine accused Stewart of repeatedly lying during the debate.
HOT SPRINGS, Va. (AP) – The two major party candidates in Virginia’s U.S. Senate race are set to square off in their first debate. Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Corey Stewart are debating Saturday at the Homestead Resort. The event is sponsored by the Virginia Bar Association. Kaine is seeking a second term. He was Hillary Clinton’s running mate in the 2016 presidential election and the early favorite to win this year’s contest.
Stewart is a devotee of President Donald Trump and an outspoken defender of Confederate imagery. Several Virginia Republicans, including those seeking re-election to the U.S. House, have publicly distanced themselves from Stewart.Virginia was once considered a swing state. But Republicans haven’t won a statewide contest since 2009.
Senator Tim Kaine and challenger Corey Stewart will conduct their first debate tomorrow. You can’t see in on live TV, but it could set the stage for the more visible debates to come before election day. The two candidates are likely to use the results of this debate to determine strategies for later ones that are televised. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
After seeming to entertain the idea of allowing Russia to interview a former US Ambassador to that country the White House said “no” yesterday. Virginia’s junior Democratic Senator says that was a bad idea from the start. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:The Tim Kaine and Corey Stewart Senate campaigns are less visible now than will be the case in the months immediately ahead of the November election, but right now, campaign officials are working to building up their support bases and secure the millions of dollars needed for an effective statewide campaign. WFIR Intern Reporter Brandon Wells has more: