THANK God for the lieutenant governor's race. As we wind down another long summer of Virginia politicking, the most thrilling controversies in the gubernatorial smackdown have involved the third-party candidate and the logistics of setting up debates. Between Jerry Kilgore's vapid promises to "always trust the people" and Tim Kaine's desperate avoidance of social issues, one could easily fall asleep on the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Thankfully, Leslie Byrne and Bill Bolling are here to give Virginians the kind of contentious, unapologetic discussion that citizens deserve.
The excitement is largely due to the campaign stylings of Democratic candidate Leslie Byrne, who refuses to bow to the conventional wisdom that only Republicans are allowed to stand for anything in Virginia. Yes, the state did swing for President Bush, but Virginians were also willing to give Democratic Gov. Mark Warner a chance because they liked his values and his agenda. Virginia is not a state that believes political party should be a holy litmus test for politicians, and Republicans who believe otherwise may be in for a surprise this November.
Byrne originally achieved fame as the first woman Virginia sent to Congress. Republicans responded by redrawing the lines of her district to ensure that she would lose her re-election campaign, but Byrne continued her career of public service in the General Assembly. Throughout the campaign, Byrne has been unafraid to offer concrete positions and solutions on everything from healthcare to transportation to education.
On the issue of higher education, Byrne has expressed reservations about the University's new freedom to raise tuition under the Higher Education Restructuring Act. "I have real concerns about a high-aid, high-tuition model," she said in an interview. She said that under such a model, middle income students who don't qualify for aid often graduate with a tremendous amount of debt from student loans.
In addition to speaking about the issues on her agenda, Byrne has stunned the establishment by candidly answering questions that many candidates would rather die than address on the record. She has expressed support for women's reproductive rights and civil unions without the shame or hesitancy that characterizes many Virginia Democrats' responses. Last month, she sent her opponent's spin machine into a tizzy when, in response to a question, she told the United Mine Workers that she opposes the so-called "right-to-work" law, adding that she calls it the "right to be poor" law.
Bolling's campaign quickly e-mailed supporters the news that Byrne had expressed opposition to the state's "cherished" right-to-work law. In a statement, Bolling called Byrne "far out of the mainstream" and said that her comment proves that she is "one of the most anti-business candidates to ever seek statewide office in Virginia," an odd accusation, considering that Byrne founded her own business in 1985. The Bolling campaign even provided audio to prove that Byrne had made the statement out loud -- insert collective gasps of shock -- as if the outspoken candidate would deny such a position.
The state's right-to-work law is not an uncontroversial one, nor should it be beyond criticism simply because it has enjoyed support in the past. The law may help businesses owners, but it also hurts unions and results in lower wages for workers who might benefit. Someone should speak for these workers' interests, and it shouldn't be political suicide to do so.
Although victory wouldn't give Byrne much in the way of formal power, these past few months have proved that she would use the office to advocate tirelessly for the causes that she believes in. The office of lieutenant governor is frequently described as a ceremonial position, but Byrne views the office as an opportunity to lead the debate. She said that the lieutenant governor "sets the tone and the tempo of what happens in the Senate," and added that with only three statewide candidates, the lieutenant governor has a significant opportunity to bring public attention to issues.
Byrne dismisses criticism that she is "out of the mainstream," responding that people want straightforward answers on the "kitchen table" issues that directly affect their lives. Byrne understands that citizens can respond to a debate of substance, not vague statements of values and demonization of political opponents. Her campaign should be a reminder to progressive candidates that running for public office is an opportunity to lead, not simply to follow polls and avoid controversy in fear of the labels that get slapped on anyone who works for change.
Cari Lynn Hennessy's column appears Fridays in The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at chennessy@cavalierdaily.com.
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