McAuliffe and Youngkin split on COVID mandates, abortion and energy policy in first debate

The first gubernatorial debate between Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin on Thursday was a combative standoff over political differences as much as personal jabs.

The hourlong forum at the Appalachian School of Law in Southwest Virginia, about seven weeks before the Nov. 2 election, forced the candidates into firm positions on a number of key issues like abortion and police misconduct, but also became muddled by unruly baiting and arguing: Youngkin repeatedly characterized McAuliffe as a liar, while McAuliffe taunted Youngkin as being out of control.

McAuliffe and Youngkin met in Grundy for one of only two scheduled debates between the two candidates on the eve of the start of early voting in Virginia. McAuliffe, the former governor, will try to ride the popularity of his first term and Virginia’s trend in favor of Democrats back to the Executive Mansion. Youngkin, a former private equity executive, is trying to become the first Republican elected statewide since 2009 on an agenda of tax cuts and by casting himself as a political outsider… (Excerpts from the Richmond Times-Dispatch)