The candidates in Virginia’s First Congressional District met virtually Monday night for a debate.
The Democratic challenger in the race, Qasim Rasheed, attacked Rob Wittman as a yes-man for the Trump administration on everything from pandemic relief to environmental regulations. "He refuses to stand up against this President even as he poisons our water by rolling back EPA clean water rules," Rashid argued. "And the worst part about all this for me is that he’s a scientist. He knows better but he lets the president do this anyway."
Wittman said he has broken with the President on Chesapeake Bay pollution issues. He also said Rashid’s progressive proposals are unrealistic and too costly. "Medicare for all, the Green New Deal, Repealing the Jobs Act all means raising taxes," Wittman said. "Even Joe Biden admitted these policies would raise taxes."
The First Congressional District spans Tidewater and Eastern Virginia between the northern Richmond suburbs and Manassas. Wittman was first elected to the seat in 2007.
Monday night's debate was organized by the University of Mary Washington, The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Fredericksburg chapter of the League of Women Voters and the Free Lance-Star.
