Opponents press McAuliffe on Amazon, policing in second Democratic primary debate

Several Democratic candidates for governor took shots at frontrunner Terry McAuliffe during the second televised debate of the campaign Thursday night, leaving the former governor defending his record on policing, luring Amazon to Virginia and assisting impoverished, majority-Black communities like Petersburg.

But there didn’t appear to be a single, standout moment that might dramatically alter the dynamics of the race one month out from the June 8 primary. In his closing statement, McAuliffe, a former governor seeking a rare second term in office, signaled he’s already looking ahead to the general election and the coming fight against whomever Republicans nominate for governor at their convention this weekend.

“You look at the Republicans, who they’ll nominate in two days. They’re fawning all over Donald Trump. They’re trying to bring their Trump politics here to Virginia,” McAuliffe said. “We can’t allow it. We’ve got to stop them.”

The hourlong debate held in Bristol and hosted by local TV station WCYB focused on several issues important to Southwest Virginia, including rural broadband access, the transition from a coal-focused economy and anti-poverty plans. The second of four debates sanctioned by the Democratic Party of Virginia also presented a chance for the four candidates ru (opens in a new tab)nning against McAuliffe to try to puncture the aura of inevitability McAuliffe has built through big polling leads, endorsements and fundraising.

Read more: https://www.virginiamercury.com/2021/05/06/mcauliffe-pressed-on-amazon-policing-in-second-democratic-primary-debate/