McGuire and Witt represent opposing views in the debate in the first and probably only 5th District

Republican Sen. John McGuire and Democrat Gloria Witt met on the debate stage for the first and likely only time Thursday to appeal to voters about why everyone should be the one to represent Virginia’s 5th Congressional District.

McGuire is considered the favorite to win the general election in the heavily Republican district after ousting the incumbent, Rep. Bob Good, by about 370 votes in a contentious primary. On Thursday night, he appeared on a debate stage for the first time this election year after refusing to debate Good.

Witt defeated her two Democratic opponents with 57% of the vote after meeting them on the debate stage several times during the primary.

The two candidates disagreed for much of the 45-minute debate, but they appeared to have one thing in common: an emphasis on careers and access to career and technical education as a way to better serve rural communities.

Questions for the two congressional candidates were submitted ahead of the event by students at Hampden-Sydney College, where the debate took place. Topics ranged from issues specific to the 5th District and rural life to foreign policy to civility in politics in a time of bipartisanship in Congress.

What did the candidates say about issues in the 5th District and rural America?

When asked how she plans to provide economic relief to the district, Witt said she supports measures that would reduce drug costs, increase access to affordable housing and expand career and technical education for students. McGuire said the U.S. needs to become energy independent through fracking and other methods to lower the cost of living and he would support legislation to do so.

Asked how he would address the unique challenges of living in rural areas, McGuire said he would support legislation that supports trade and said the U.S. needs to become dominant in energy to lower fuel costs. Witt said she would support legislation that would provide access to affordable housing and health care, broadband access in rural areas and career and technical education.

Asked whether the federal government needed to play a role in education policy and how it would support K-12 education, Witt said it would increase teacher salaries, hire subject matter experts as teachers and support career and technical education. McGuire said children should be taught how to think, not what to think, and that he wants education policy to continue to be decided at the local level.

What did the candidates say about foreign policy?

When asked about policies to fix the U.S. immigration system, McGuire said he “fully supports President Trump’s idea of ​​rounding up these dangerous criminals and returning them to their countries.” Witt said that immigration supports the U.S. economy, by providing U.S. companies with workers they otherwise wouldn’t have. She said she will work to fix the current immigration system with resources and technology.

McGuire said the U.S. needs to provide money to help those affected by Hurricane Helene when asked about additional funding for Ukraine in the ongoing war with Russia. Witt said that “Ukraine is waging a war for democracy” and that it is “ready to finance whatever is necessary” for Ukraine to maintain its freedom.

What did the candidates say about civility and political polarization?

When asked, Witt said she would accept the results of the Nov. 5 election regardless of the outcome. She noted that McGuire attended the “Stop the Steal” rally in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021. McGuire said he would accept the election results “if they were fair.” But, he said, “there’s nothing wrong with challenging irregularities until you’re satisfied.” Regarding his participation in the Jan. 6 rally, McGuire said he was exercising his constitutional rights.

McGuire pointed to his past work on bipartisan legislation in the General Assembly when asked if he believes he can work across the aisle in a time of bipartisanship in Congress. Witt said she plans to work in a bipartisan manner if elected to Congress, noting that McGuire also voted against a number of bipartisan bills during his time in the General Assembly.

Who are the candidates?

McGuire, a staunch conservative and early supporter of former President Donald Trump, received Trump’s endorsement in the primary against Good. McGuire has said that he “has a biblical worldview and will always stand for justice.” He was first elected to represent the 56th District in the Virginia House of Delegates in 2017, when the district included areas north and west of Richmond before redistricting. He ran unopposed in the 2023 10th Senate District election and announced his candidacy for Congress just days after winning the seat.

In his closing remarks Thursday, McGuire spoke about his family, his background as a Navy SEAL and his experience learning to walk again after an injury.

“I learned that there is no substitute for hard work,” he said.

Witt was born and raised in Amherst County, and although she always considered herself a “country girl,” she is also a businesswoman, mother and grandmother. She has been working for the world’s leading energy company Framatome (formerly AREVA) for 32 years. She also serves on the boards of several organizations, including president of the Amherst County NAACP branch and board member of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities.

In her closing remarks, Witt spoke about growing up in rural Amherst County. Her values ​​are faith, family, justice and community, she said.

“I want to be your voice in Congress because I am District 5,” she said.

Related stories