Bill Bolling is Virginia’s current lieutenant governor and he is running for re-election as the Republican nominee. In public service for the last 18 years, Bolling is president of the Senate, and has used the lieutenant governor’s office as a bully pulpit for health care initiatives, including cervical cancer, asthma awareness and cardiovascular health.
Jody Wagner is the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. In 2002, Governor Mark Warner appointed her treasurer of Virginia. When Governor Tim Kaine was elected, he appointed her secretary of finance. Wagner is currently a small business owner in Virginia Beach
Q: What is your party affiliation?
Bolling: Republican
Wagner: Democrat
Q: Tell me about your spouse.
Bolling: My wife Jean Ann and I have been married 31 years. Jean Ann is a teacher by training, but she has been a stay-at-home mom since our children were born. She is actively involved with a number of community organizations, including Community Bible Study, and she serves on the boards of numerous civic and business organizations. She’s a great lady and much better than I deserve.
Wagner: My husband Alan and I have been married for 30 years. Alan is an eye surgeon in Hampton Roads and we are the proud parents of four wonderful children. Together we have built a small popcorn company in Virginia Beach.
Q: Have you made any campaign promises, something you will absolutely stick to?
Bolling: Our main goal is to get the economy moving again and create jobs. We have put forth a detailed “Jobs for Virginians” program to help accomplish that. You can learn more about our jobs program on my website, www.billbolling.com.
Wagner: Throughout this campaign I’ve discussed my plans to create new jobs, continue improving and investing in education and finding a long-term solution for transportation. As lieutenant governor, I’m committed to following through on those promises.
Q: Have you had more contributions from Virginians or from out of state?
Bolling: The vast majority of our campaign contributions have come from within Virginia.
Wagner: Over 90 percent of my contributors are from Virginia.
Q: Name two good reasons people should vote for you.
Bolling: After 18 years in state and local government, I have the background, knowledge and experience that is necessary to lead Virginia through these challenging times. I also have a record of working with Republicans and Democrats to get things done in Richmond. Finally, I have the right stand on the important issues currently facing our state, and the policies that I will pursue will help get our economy moving again and create jobs, restore fiscal responsibility to state government and help address other important issues like education, transportation and health care.
Wagner: As a small businesswoman, mother of four and the former treasurer and secretary of finance, I have the experience and fresh ideas that Virginia needs. I have a proud record of success working with Governors Warner and Kaine to balance the budget, create jobs and make record investments in education and public safety. I want to continue the progress we’ve made being named “Best Managed State” and “Best State for Business.”
Q: What is your Religion?
Bolling: United Methodist
Wagner: I am Jewish
Q: Name three major endorsements.
Bolling: The National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Virginia Farm Bureau PAC, the Fraternal Order of Police and numerous other organizations all across Virginia.
Wagner: Former Sen. John Chichester, former Sen. Russ Potts and Governors Warner and Kaine.
Q: Who do you admire?
Bolling: Politically, I consider myself to be a “Reagan Republican.” I have always had great admiration for Ronald Reagan and the conservative principles he espoused. I also have great admiration for Rev. Bill Graham, who has probably done more to sow the seeds of faith in our world than any other contemporary figure.
Wagner: I have great admiration for individuals who are able to bring people together – whether in business or government – to make the world a better place in whichever way they can. I also admire Howard Schultz, who is one of the founders of Starbucks, as wells as Governors Warner and Kaine.
Q: Why are you qualified for this position?
Bolling: Unlike most other people who run for the office of lieutenant governor, I am currently serving as the lieutenant governor. I think that gives me some unique insights into what the office is all about. During my four years as lieutenant governor, I have developed an impressive record of accomplishment on behalf of the people of Virginia, and that’s the kind of proven and experienced leadership we need to guide Virginia through these challenging times.
Wagner: As the former treasurer and secretary of finance, I believe I have the experience and fresh ideas we need to continue moving Virginia forward. Over the past two administrations, I helped balance the budget while cutting taxes, created hundreds of thousands of new jobs and had record investment in education. I will provide the leadership we need.
Q: Who is the biggest contributor to your campaign so far?
Bolling: A number of major Virginia corporations have provided significant financial support to my campaign, including Verizon, Dominion Energy, Altria and Alpha Natural Resources.
Wagner: The largest contributors to my campaign are private individuals.
Q: What is the last book you have read?
Bolling: I am currently reading “Campaign,” by Marilyn Quayle, wife of former Vice President Dan Quayle. Most of my reading is serious reports about state business, so when I get to read other things, I keep it light.
Wagner: I am in the process of reading “Shop Class as Soul Craft.”
Q: Say something nice about your opponent.
Bolling: I don’t know her very well, but I am sure she is a very fine lady. I know that she loves Virginia and wants to make it a better place to live. While there are big differences between us, I respect her willingness to be a part of the political process and engage in this campaign.
Wagner: I believe Bill is a committed family man, and as parents, we both understand the great rewards, frustrations, difficulties and ultimately, satisfaction, that go along with raising children.
Q: How will you help the people of southwest Virginia?
Bolling: The most important issue currently facing southwest Virginia is the need to get the economy moving again and create jobs. Our “Jobs for Virginians” program will specifically benefit southwest Virginia because of its focus on rural economic development and its commitment to make Virginia the leading energy producing state on the East Coast. However, the other initiatives that we have talked about in this campaign, including our proposals to improve public education, reduce the cost of a college degree, address Virginia’s pressing transportation challenges and improve access and affordability of health care, will also be of great benefit to southwest Virginia.
Wagner: As secretary of finance in 2008, I helped negotiate the Higher Education Investment Package, which resulted in $1.6 billion being invested on our college campuses to build the facilities to train the next generation. In southwest Virginia, those buildings include the new medical school at Virginia Tech. As lieutenant governor, I will continue to help draw new businesses and create jobs in southwest Virginia, building on our successes over the last decade. I will fight to raise the high school graduation rate, which is barely 80 percent in many parts of the southwest region. More than anything, I will work across party lines in Richmond to deliver results for families and businesses in southwest Virginia.
By Carla Bream [email protected]