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Wilt and Frank Reveal Key Differences; Degner Silent on Values Issues
May 29, 2010

Results from Candidates’ Forum on Lake Shenandoah


The Story Behind the Story: Degner Rejects All Overtures from Forum

The real story in the run-up to the special election on June 15 to fill the 26th District House seat vacated by former Del. Matt Lohr is less about the results of the Candidates’ Forum last evening as it is the continued refusal of Democratic candidate Kai Degner to appear at any event sponsored by the Valley Family Forum or even to acknowledge our offer to provide him with written questions.

That is curious behavior for a candidate who has repeatedly called for multiple debates on a wide range of issues. While Degner cites the Forum’s “partisanship” and “agenda” as reasons for his refusal to participate, he seems to ignore the fact that most if not all groups have some kind of “agenda”. Those include the senior citizens he met with yesterday at VMRC and the business leaders he will meet with at the Chamber of Commerce event next week. To be consistent, does that mean that he would also refuse to meet with groups that are primarily interested in agriculture, or the environment, or education?

Why Does It Matter?

At the end of the day, Degner’s attempt to explain his refusal raises more questions than it answers. Most importantly, it leaves wide open the question of how he would vote on the “family values” bills that are certain to come up in the General Assembly next year.

We believe that is an untenable position for any candidate to take. Simply put, voters in the 26th District deserve to know what the candidates believe and how they would vote on these key issues before the election rather keeping it a secret until afterward, when it is too late.

Carolyn Frank and Tony Wilt Find Some Common Ground …

Degner’s refusal to meet is in stark contrast with the willingness of Republican candidate Tony Wilt and independent Carolyn Fran to participate in a Candidates’ Forum held last evening at the Cornerstone Church on Lake Shenandoah.

The two candidates answered some general questions of principle before responding to more specific questions about bills that are likely to come up in the House of Delegates next year. They agreed that they would support all of the pro-life bills that were raised and also supported Gov. McDonnell’s decision to reverse the ban on State Police chaplains that had prevented them from praying in Jesus’ name.

… with Several Key Differences

However, there were clear differences on several other issues. Frank said she would support a bill that adds “sexual orientation” to the list of characteristics that are protected under Virginia’s non-discrimination and “hate crimes” statutes. She would also consider a bill that would allow government agencies to offer benefits to unmarried couples similar to those enjoyed by married couples. Wilt said he would oppose both bills.

On a related issue, Frank said she did not vote on the marriage amendment referendum in 2006 but added that, although she believes marriage is only between a man and a woman, she would not object to “civil unions”. In contrast, Wilt said he voted for the marriage amendment because it defines marriage as between only a man and a woman.

Finally, Frank said she would support an increase in the gas tax in order to meet growing demands on the state budget. However, Wilt said he would oppose such an increase when many families are already struggling to make ends meet and unable to pay higher taxes.

Remember to Vote on June 15!

The Family Foundation is providing a Voters’ Guide with the candidates’ responses (or lack thereof) to a range of “Values” questions that are useful for distribution to churches and civic clubs. They will be available from Bill Becker, who can be reached at 828-0248 or by e-mail to nova.photo@verizon.net.