McAuliffe’s campaign was launched outside of a primary school named after the president of Richmond’s first African-American school board, and featured exclusively black supporters, including a former cabinet member – Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney – and Louise Lucas, the first black woman to speak pro tempore in the Virginia Senate.
“We need it to free the black community from the crippled pandemic because it knows it has hit black communities and brown communities harder than anyone else,” Lucas said. “We need you to bring your energy and bold ideas to Virginia to our post — Covid Healing.
McAuliffe, who worked from 2014 to 2018, is aiming to become the first Virginia governor to complete a second term in nearly half a century. Virginia does not allow its governors to complete consecutive cycles, and the state is only one of two – New Jersey the other – to hold its four-year governor election in the year following the presidential race.
McAuliffe highlighted his experience of leading the Commonwealth for four years while at the same time opposing the “old Richmond approach”.
“People, it’s time for a new trip to Virginia,” he said.
McAuliffe has a fantastic fundraising reputation and built-in benefits given his long history in democratic circles, including close friendships with Bill and Hillary Clinton. He also ruled against the 2020 presidential candidacy, stating that he did not intend to appoint a post to the Biden administration, thus opening the post of governor.
McAuliffe also promoted its education platform, promising to provide universal Internet access to Virginia students, and raising teachers ’salaries above the national average.
