Gillespie talks immigration, I-81 improvements at Salem town hall
Carmen Forman
The Roanoke Times
October 1, 2017
Addressing transportation, immigration, and other statewide issues, Republican gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie outlined several of his policy proposals Saturday at a town hall meeting in Salem.
As part of his “InformEd Decisions” tour, Gillespie held a question-and-answer session at the American Legion attended by about 40 people who asked the former Republican National Committee chairman about his plans to improve Interstate 81, his stance on Confederate statues and his views on sanctuary cities.
Gillespie framed the town hall discussion — which was limited through a ticket lottery — as a way to inform voters on his views since his opponent, Democrat Ralph Northam, agreed to only three of the 10 debates Gillespie proposed. Northam, the state’s lieutenant governor, committed to three debates and seven joint appearances with Gillespie before Election Day on Nov. 7. Libertarian Cliff Hyra is also vying to be Virginia’s next governor but has not been invited to participate in the debates.
At the town hall, Gillespie touted his 18 policy proposals — so many that he had to create a second campaign website, he joked.
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Gillespie pledged to make improving I-81 a top transportation priority, but wasn’t able to detail what form the improvements would take. Widening the road to three lanes in both directions, building new exits and adding safety measures are all possibilities, he said.
“Because it’s been overlooked for way too long and ignored for way too long, my point is we need to get on this and we need to get on this now,” Gillespie said.
Ultimately, the changes to the congested interstate would be a comprehensive vision compiled by local officials and those at the state and federal level, he said.
Gillespie also reiterated his opposition to removing Confederate statues because they teach Virginia’s history. Northam has advocated for moving the statues to museums.
After fielding a question about gang violence from Roanoke County Sheriff Eric Orange, a Republican, Gillespie vowed to ban sanctuary cities in Virginia.
Gillespie’s campaign has released several TV ads in the Roanoke Valley discussing MS-13 gang violence in relation to sanctuary city policies.
The ads label Northam as weak on fighting MS-13 gang violence because of a tie-breaking vote he cast against a bill that would ban sanctuary cities in the commonwealth. Gov. Terry McAuliffe later vetoed the legislation.
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