Carroll Foy Laid Out Positive Vision, Record of Fighting for Working People, While Calling Out Terry McAuliffe’s Failure to Go “Big and Bold” When He Had the Chance
(Bristol, VA) – During tonight’s second televised Democratic gubernatorial debate, Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy clearly laid out her positive vision to move Virginia forward beyond the failed status quo and build a Commonwealth where every Virginian has the opportunity to thrive. Carroll Foy stood out from the field as the new leader who has shared in the struggles working families face that Virginians are looking for, and held Terry McAuliffe accountable for his failure to go “big and bold” when he had his chance in the past.
Most memorably, Carroll Foy criticized McAuliffe’s failure to seek real transparency and accountability in the shooting of 18 year-old Kionte Spencer by Roanoke police, and told the story of her personal experiences with the broken criminal justice system, from her work as a public defender to her record fighting for criminal justice reform as a member of the House of Delegates.
Watch five highlights of the second televised Democratic gubernatorial debate below:
WATCH: Carroll Foy took Terry McAuliffe to task over his failure to act and ensure accountability in the wake of Kionte Spencer’s killing by Roanoke police.
“Terry McAuliffe was governor when Kionte Spencer, a young man who lived in a group home in Roanoke, was shot and killed by the police. And when the community asked him for help, he chose inaction…We all know that the majority of law enforcement officers are doing the right thing, but when that’s not the case, then we need a governor who will stand up for the people, who will demand accountability, transparency, and justice. And you can count on me for that.”
WATCH: Carroll Foy highlighted her plan to ensure all workers are included in Virginia’s clean economy future.
“I will help to bring 15,000 new clean energy jobs to Virginia for the next 15 years, and I will not leave former fossil fuel and coal miners behind – the coal miners who have blackened their lungs and broken their backs for the economy that we so enjoy today…This is what we have to do in order to protect our workers, have a just transition, while also bringing jobs and making Virginia the best place for renewable energy.”
WATCH: Carroll Foy laid out the core argument for her candidacy while calling for historic investments in key infrastructure needs, from broadband to Virginia’s public schools.
“I’m running for governor because change can’t wait. And that’s why I became a public defender, a foster mom, a Virginia Military Institute graduate, and a state legislator, passing bills and budgets to uplift working families, all throughout Virginia… I’m excited to say that I’ve already passed legislation to address one of the biggest issues with deployment to broadband, but as next governor, I will be bolder, I will put $15 million into the Virginia telecommunications initiative creating public private partnerships so we can have virtual learning here in Virginia… I will support collective bargaining for teachers. I believe every teacher of Virginia should get paid at least $50,000 a year. We have to have bonds so schools can draw those funds in order to have capital improvements, modernize our classrooms and do more for our children. I will build a 21st century education system here in Virginia.”
WATCH: Carroll Foy: “We cannot incarcerate our way out of addiction.”
“I think about a prior client I had named Sharon. And Sharon ended up injuring her knee, and was prescribed painkillers. Until she eventually got addicted, and she tried to stop repeatedly – she wanted to stop, but she didn’t stop until the painkillers, the opioids, took her life….I will be sure to fund our community service boards, so we can give people an inpatient treatment, get them in diversion programs, I will also promote more substance abuse dockets throughout Virginia because we cannot incarcerate ourselves out of addiction.”
WATCH: Carroll Foy laid out the clear choice in the race: between Virginia’s past, or it’s future.
“Terry McAuliffe is going to talk about going big and bold, but when he had his chance, he left most Virginians behind. That’s why we need a new leader with a clear vision and a record for getting things done here in Virginia. Your decision on June 8th is clear: either Virginia’s past, or Virginia’s forward. Please join me, and let’s move Virginia forward, together.”
Carroll Foy’s grassroots, people-powered movement continues to gain momentum as it organizes communities in every corner of the Commonwealth. Her campaign has mobilized over a thousand volunteers to engage voters and share Carroll Foy’s positive vision for Virginia. To date, community leaders, more unions than any other candidate in the race, and organizations representing millions of working people have endorsed her candidacy, She has already been recognized as the “most formidable” challenger to McAuliffe and the “favorite in the race” of everyday Virginians and the organizations that represent them.
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Jennifer Carroll Foy has dedicated her life to service. As one of the first women to graduate from Virginia Military Institute, a former foster mom, a magistrate judge, and public defender, Jennifer has embodied the ideals of community, honor and commitment in every facet of her life. During her time in the legislature, Jennifer led the way on the Equal Rights Amendment, proudly supported the successful fight to expand Medicaid to over 500,000 Virginians, and passed a budget that includes a three percent salary increase for teachers. She is a proud mother to twin three year olds, and wife to her husband Jeff, who she met her first week at VMI.