Friday, October 09, 2009
8th District candidates debate in Roanoke Co.
More than 100 people attended a debate between Carter Turner and Morgan Griffith.
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roanoke.com/politics
With Election Day looming less than a month away, the two figures in one of Virginia's most avidly watched political contests -- the race for the 8th District House of Delegates seat -- finally took the debate stage Thursday night.
House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, who's held the seat since 1994, met Democratic challenger Carter Turner for a forum at Bent Mountain Elementary School, an event sponsored by the community's women's club. It lasted about an hour and attracted more than 100 people, including students from Cave Spring and Hidden Valley high schools.
The 8th District includes Salem and part of Roanoke County.
Turner, a Glenvar resident and assistant professor in Radford University's department of philosophy and religious studies, is a political newcomer who in July stepped into the race against the incumbent eight-term legislator Griffith.
Video: Highlights from the debate
Video by Jordan Fifer | The Roanoke Times
Editor's note: This video has been edited for brevity. Fades indicate where clips have been shortened.
"I'm not a career politician, I'm a citizen who wants to make my community better," he stated in his opening remarks. "I'm running because we need more resources from Richmond for our area," he continued, and underscored his refusal to take contributions from organizations he felt might compromise his beliefs.
Griffith cited his recent A-plus rating from the National Rifle Association, his work against sexual predators and domestic violence, his strengthening of animal fighting laws and his role in Norfolk Southern Corp.'s plans to build an intermodal railroad yard in Elliston, which he later said would be providing jobs and stimulating the area over the course of decades.
Moderator Hollani Davis presented prepared questions to both candidates, a mix of general issues as well as topics that have come up during the course of the campaign.
Asked about the greatest challenge of the upcoming year, Turner cited transportation funding. Griffith named budget issues as a chief concern.
"We're going to have a tough session and I would not be correct in telling you otherwise," he said, adding that although the economy has not yet recovered and revenues haven't been coming in "this is not a time to raise taxes."
On his lack of experience and political contacts, Turner replied, "I think if we assume that the incumbent is always ... in a position to do a better job, then I guess we wouldn't have elections."
Griffith, Turner continued, "has more [contacts] than he did 15 years ago when he started."
"I'm committed to serving the citizens of this district, and I would give them everything that I have."
Two questions arose from controversies directly related to the campaign -- Turner's voting record and the low grade he received from the NRA.
"I have no idea why I would get a D-minus from the NRA," Turner said, adding that the organization's grading process was unclear to him. "I'm a gun owner, I'm a hunter ... I'm comfortable with current gun laws.
"I think we need to ask them how that happened, because I'm befuddled" he said.
In response to his voting record -- a recent subject of discussion on area political blogs -- Turner said he did not vote in 2007 because of a family issue that caused him to be out of state. Griffith stated he has voted in every election since 1976.
On health care, both voiced concerns about a plan run by the federal government, but said they would support state action.
Other topics included the possible effects of increased trucking in the area as a result of the planned intermodal site, the Fair Tax and a tax on cigarettes. A final question, submitted by a student, asked the candidates' favorite color.
"I'm a blue guy," Griffith declared.
"I would say blue as well," Turner said, and noted, "Bipartisanship at its best."
Online producer Jordan Fifer contributed to this report.
