As the Senate of Virginia was evenly split between 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans, the lieutenant gubernatorial election effectively decided which party had control of that chamber.
Background
In early 2008, Bolling and then-Attorney General Bob McDonnell struck a deal in which Bolling agreed to run for re-election as lieutenant governor to allow McDonnell to run unopposed for governor in 2009, in exchange for McDonnell's support for Bolling for governor in 2013.[3] The deal was widely known and as such, Bolling was effectively running for governor since 2009,[4] and in April 2010, Bolling filed the necessary paperwork to run in 2013.[5] Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, elected alongside McDonnell and Bolling in 2009, stated that he intended to run for re-election as attorney general in 2013, but did not rule out running for governor.[6] In December 2011, Cuccinelli announced to his staff that he would run against Bolling for governor in 2013; the news went public, and in response, Bolling issued a statement accusing Cuccinelli of putting "his own personal ambition ahead of the best interests of the commonwealth and the Republican Party."[7] Cuccinelli's announcement came two days before the annual statewide conference of Virginia Republicans, at which Bolling and his staff expressed being upset with Cuccinelli's decision.[8]
Bolling, who was polling poorly against Cuccinelli, withdrew from the race on November 28, 2012. He cited the Republican Party's decision to move to a nominating convention rather than hold a primary. He ruled out running for another term as lieutenant governor and refused to endorse Cuccinelli.[9]
The Republican Party chose its nominee at a convention in Richmond. Seven candidates were running, and after four rounds of balloting, E.W. Jackson was chosen as the nominee.
The two candidates met in a debate held in Arlington on September 24, 2013. The debate was marked by sharp contrasts between the candidates on both issues and style. Northam was the aggressor in the debate, attacking Jackson over his controversial statements and personal history.[21]
In response to repeated attacks from Northam on Jackson's history of controversial statements, Jackson read aloud a section of the Virginia Constitution that differentiates social opinions from one's ability to govern.[22] Jackson said, "I know the difference between what I do [in church] and what I'm required to do here. ... If I'm elected, I'm going to serve all the people of Virginia regardless of what their religious background is. ... I'm not running to be preacher, theologian, bishop, pastor of Virginia. I'm running to be lieutenant governor of Virginia."[23][24]
Northam spoke at length on abortion, saying regulations and laws on abortion recently passed by the General Assembly represented "an assault on women's reproductive health care," and attacked Jackson for his support of those regulations and laws.[21] Jackson responded simply, "I am unabashedly pro-life. I make no apologies for that."[21]
Jackson said he opposed a Medicaid expansion in Virginia, saying it would saddle Virginia with debt.[21] Northam said he supported the expansion because if Virginia rejected it, the taxes it pays to the federal government would go to other states.[21]
Both candidates sought to speak more personally about themselves. Northam talked about his career in the military and medicine, while Jackson talked about getting through a rough childhood to attend Harvard Law School and eventually entering ministry.[22]
Endorsements
E.W. Jackson
Current and former politicians
Tony Wilt, Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates[25]
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