Richmond, VA — Following Terry McAuliffe’s victory in the second gubernatorial debate tonight, Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman Susan Swecker released the following statement: 

“There was only one person on the debate stage tonight with the plans to keep Virginians healthy and safe, keep our kids in school, and keep our economy strong: Terry McAuliffe. Terry doesn’t peddle hollow, right-wing talking points like Glenn Youngkin, he has actionable plans to put COVID-19 behind us and continue the progress the Commonwealth has made. Tonight, Terry showed the leadership he will bring to the governorship. 

As we once again saw tonight, Glenn is not a leader—he’s a follower of Donald Trump. He refuses to support vaccine mandates for COVID, measles and mumps, and he continues to dance with Trump’s dangerous election conspiracy theories. When given the opportunity to choose Virginians or Donald Trump, Glenn chooses Trump over the Commonwealth every single time—as we saw tonight when he made clear he wants Donald Trump to be president again. That’s not what we need, especially with the challenges we face as we work through this pandemic. 

Virginians deserve a leader who will lead on COVID-19 vaccines, defend democracy and keep moving Virginia forward. Virginians deserve Terry McAuliffe and that’s why we must get out and vote for Terry and Democrats up and down the ballot.”  

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