6th District Democratic Candidates meet and speak at Fort Lewis Lodge

On a sunny and very breezy Saturday afternoon, the Bath County Democratic Committee hosted a political forum in the pavilion at Fort Lewis Lodge near Williamsville. A large group of voters from Bath, Highland and beyond were there to hear the four Democratic candidates for the 6^th district seat in the US congress share their stands. The contested seat has been held by Bob Goodlatte for twenty-four years, and the Republican candidate will be chosen at their state convention, so will not be on the June 12^th ballot. The Democratic candidates in the primary are: Sergio Copolla of Harrisonburg, Jennifer Lewis of Waynesboro, and Charlotte Moore and Peter Volosin both from Roanoke. Joe Dashiell of WDBJ served as the moderator introducing the candidates, and posing questions.

“Before we get started with the questions, I do want to offer a brief disclaimer, and a few words about the format. I’m honored to be with such a distinguished group of people this afternoon, but I need to keep my boss happy and let you know that my presence here does not represent an endorsement of any candidate or any political party.”

The questions, both prepared and submitted by the audience, covered a broad range of topics including health care, gun laws, economic development, reproductive rights, fracked gas pipelines, broadband access and the national deficit. Candidates provided three-minute or less answers.

All four of the candidates noted the significant need for improved internet access, and the role the federal government will play in creating incentives to get adequate service into less populated regions.   The candidates had other areas of agreement, and acknowledged their varying degrees of expertise on certain issues. In their closing comments each candidate cited reasons he or she stood out from the others, and Jennifer Lewis spoke for all of them when she commented: “Get out there and vote June 12^th, and again in November, but stay active, stay engaged. The only way that democracy works is when people participate.”

For the audio version of the complete forum on Saturday the 12^th, look for this news story on alleghenymountainradio.org