McAuliffe: 'I Trust Women to Make Decisions About Their Health'

By Patch editor Raytevia Evans

Gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe spoke to a crowd of about 100 supporters and volunteers during the grand opening of the 2013 Democratic campaign office in Springfield Sunday. McAuliffe, along with Congressman Jim Moran and attorney general candidate Mark Herring, spoke to the people about education, transportation in Virginia, healthcare and women's rights.

With 113 days left until election, volunteers and supporters will pound the pavement in order to encourage people to vote, said field organizer Megan Tyler during the grand opening event.

"We all know Terry [McAuliffe]. He has a personality bigger than life," said Steve Bunn, co-chair for the Lee District Democratic Committee. "What this office will do is let everyone else know that."

The rights of women and the issue of abortion and women's health were prevalent in McAuliffe's speech on Sunday. McAuliffe said the first of 20 women's clinics in the Commonwealth recently closed in Norfolk — bringing an end to some women's access to important and affordable health screenings.

"I trust women to make the decisions about their health," McAuliffe said. "This is a big election. We have to break a 40-year jinx. The governor means, transportation, healthcare, education and keeping those women's clinics."

During the opening, Moran said the difference between McAuliffe and Ken Cuccinelli is that McAuliffe "understands that in some countries, women are suppressed. In the Commonwealth, women will have control over their bodies."

McAuliffe also spoke on education in the Commonwealth, stressing the importance of community college and teacher's pay. McAuliffe has visited 21 of the 23 community colleges in the Commonwealth and will visit the last two before the end of the campaign season. He will be the first gubernatorial candidate to visit all 23 campuses.

"I want to invest in our community colleges because I view education as an investment, not an expense," he said.

Moran described the other two candidates on the Democratic ticket, saying Herring will "be a terrific attorney general and likewise for Ralph Northam who is running against E.W. Jackson. Where he [Jackson] came from, he needs to go back."

"If we make those calls and get the vote out, the majority will agree. The majority will be Democrat," said Moran to the cheering crowd. "We've got to get this country back on track. The future is bright if we have the right leadership."

Both McAuliffe and Herring touched on transportation in the Commonwealth during their speeches on Sunday. McAuliffe has been in Virginia for 21 years and his five children will also stay in Virginia if transportation, education and other issues are improved, he explained.

"I am all for metro, passenger rails and getting people out of cars," McAuliffe said. "As governor, I'm going to make sure we're spending that transportation funding wisely."

Herring said after traveling across Virginia during his campaign, he knows what Virginians want out of their governor and their attorney general, although some may not know the responsibilities of the position.

"I do have to admit, that not everyone knows what an attorney general does. But thanks to Ken Cuccinelli, we know how important it is," said Herring. "Cuccinelli is anti-choice, anti-LGBT. And I don't have to say much about E.W. Jackson. I will return ethics back to the attorney general's office. And as I have traveled across Virginia, I know what Virginians want. They want education for their children. They want good jobs. They want an effective transportation network."

Also in attendance to support the candidates during Sunday's event were Del. Mark Sickles (D-43), Sen. Toddy Puller andSen. George Barker. McAuliffe was accompanied by his wife Dorothy and two of his five children, Sally and Peter.

McAuliffe will face off in the first debate against Ken Cuccinelli July 20. Also in the Virginia gubernatorial race is LibertarianRobert Sarvis, who officially joined the race in June.

The office in Springfield located at 6354-A Springfield Plaza, will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Saturday and 12-7 p.m. Sunday.