Northern Virginia residents will have a chance to hear from the candidates for Virginia’s next lieutenant governor during a forum presented by the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. It’s the only such opportunity in advance of the June 13 primary election.
The question-and-answer forum, moderated by Schar School Dean Mark J. Rozell, takes place Tuesday, May 23, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in Merten Hall, Room 1201, on George Mason’s Fairfax Campus.
The forum is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Understanding the positions of Virginia’s lieutenant governor on state and local issues is important to voters, Rozell said, particularly in what is traditionally a low voter turnout race.
“Whoever is elected lieutenant governor is a likely gubernatorial candidate in four years, given the limitation that governors may not run for re-election in Virginia,” Rozell said. “Also, with a closely divided state senate, the lieutenant governor may end up the tie-breaking vote on some very key issues.”
Republican candidates Glenn Davis, Bryce Reeves and Jill Vogel will first discuss questions posed by Rozell; following a break, Democratic candidates Justin Fairfax, Susan Platt and Gene Rossi will take the stage.
Voters on June 13 will also select candidates for governor and attorney general.