Daniel M. Gade

Age: 45

Occupation: Retired lieutenant colonel, U.S. Army

Education: USMCA 97’; Master’s and Ph.D. in public administration, University of Georgia

Civic/community engagement: Co-lead church Bible study

Contact: info@gadeforvirginia.com or (804) 944- 4606

Website: www.gadeforvirginia.com

I decided to become a candidate for U.S. Senate because: Throughout my life, I have faced many challenges and forks in the road. I’ve tried to do the hard right thing instead of the easy wrong one. As I’ve campaigned, I’ve consistently heard that the old, stale ideas aren’t working for Virginians. We face tough challenges right now and it will take a true commitment to working with people across the aisle to solve them. Sen. Mark Warner is a career partisan who cynically talks about reducing insulin prices while taking over $500,000 from big pharma in contributions. If you’re sick of career politicians, choose a different path.

What do you see as the top two issues facing Virginia? American families are suffering and dying because China lied and people died. Now our businesses need help and our health care capacity is being strangled. I am in this race to solve hard problems like these. Career politicians like Sen. Warner scream that we have to “do something,” but when given the chance to give much needed relief to families, additional testing and vaccine funding, he voted to withhold relief. Once we win this war, I will fight to regain our record economic growth and reform a health care system that puts patients first and meets the needs of a post-coronavirus America.

How I plan to address those issues as a member of the U.S. Senate: The federal government has unique abilities to solve the two main issues America faces: health care and COVID-19. The CDC, DHS and other federal agencies can leverage their expertise and resources to assist the local leaders who are at the front lines. The federal government also can direct emergency resources to local governments. Sen. Warner voted against that just a few weeks ago, hurting Virginia and Virginia families. The federal government can and should secure our borders, rethink the nature of our relationship with China and prepare for the next pandemic by securing our supply chain for pharmaceutical products and PPE.

Mark R. Warner

Age: 65

Occupation: U.S. senator representing Virginia

Education: Bachelor’s degree, George Washington University, 1977; J.D., Harvard Law School, 1980

Contact: (571) 257-8862; info@markwarnerva.com

Website: https://markwarnerva.com/

I decided to run for re-election to the U.S. Senate because: As Virginia’s senior senator, I’m focused on how to get past the challenges our families face—from how to help coastal communities grapple with climate change, to making sure every Virginian, including gig economy workers, can retire with dignity, to defending the health care of millions of Americans by standing up for the Affordable Care Act. The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down, but the way I look at my job has not changed. This isn’t a time for partisan politics. I’m here to do my job so that millions of Americans can get the help they need.

What do you see as the top two issues facing Virginia? I believe our country is facing dual crises right now: The pandemic and a reckoning with racial injustice in this country. Something I’m really worried about is the long-term consequences of the pandemic on communities of color. All over the country, we’ve seen that Black Americans have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, both in terms of businesses closing and in terms of health care outcomes. I am committed to ensuring that when we get a vaccine, that it works for Black Americans. And we need to make sure that financial relief and capital is reaching Black-owned businesses.

How I plan to address those issues as a member of the U.S. Senate: In January, before a single case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Virginia, I asked the Trump administration if they needed more funding to fight the virus. I delivered relief to small businesses and expanded free COVID-19 testing. I made it possible for freelancers and independent contractors to file for un- employment. And I worked to make sure our schools could reopen safely. These things have helped a lot of people and businesses stay afloat, but we need to do more. I have a bill that will increase access to capital for the Black, Latino and women-owned businesses that have been hit hardest.

Leon Benjamin Sr.

Age: 52

Occupation: Senior pastor and bishop of New Life Harvest Church

Education: Bachelor’s in biblical studies and Master’s in Christian education, Rovear Christian University

Civic/community activities: Former Richmond GOP chairman and president and founder of the Coalition of Leaders United

Contact: (804) 426-5314; info@benjamin4congress. com

Website: Benjamin4congress.com

I decided to become a candidate for Congress because: We need new leadership in Washington. I’m running to bring true conservative leadership back to Washington, to stand for life and fight back against the anti-life left, to get the leftist monopoly out of education and stand with the president to keep taxes low and reboot our economy back to where it was pre-COVID-19.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? The key issue facing our district specifically has a two-pronged factor. One is that COVID-19 has caused many institutions to be impacted, like small businesses, educational institutions and families who have had to adjust to the COVID-19 guidelines. The other side is the dangers our communities now face because of the unrest and riots coupled with the idea of defunding the police. Our police stations have been under attack and my opponent has not helped the situation by refusing to call out the political leaders in the district for allowing this to continue.

How I plan to address those issues as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented us with new economic challenges. These are challenges we can address by using common sense solutions. Economic recovery and development start at the lo- cal level and Congress has a place in as- sistance. In Congress, I plan to work with state and local officials to boost their efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The riots and violence our cities have seen in recent months must be condemned by every elected official, and in Congress, I will do just that. We must build the bridge between our police and communities with the support of federal resources.

A. Donald McEachin

Age: 59

Occupation: U.S. representative representing the 4th District and retired partner, McEachin & Gee law firm

Education: Bachelor’s, American University; J.D., University of Virginia School of Law; Master’s of Divinity, Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University

Contact: info@mceachinforcongress.com

Website: www.donaldmceachin.com

I decided to run for re-election to Congress because: I want to continue serving the people of VA-04 and working to improve lives. As a member of Congress, I have passed legislation to improve voting, remove corruption from campaigns, address climate change, reduce poverty and, particularly in these times, address the pandemic and reform police. President Trump’s lack of leadership and inflammatory and hostile rhetoric does not serve our country or my constituents. I will continue to stand up for real change that improves lives and makes a positive difference.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? The pandemic, with its impacts on health and the economy, is impacting lives in our district. Until people feel safe going out without fearing infection, the economy will flounder and jobs will continue to be lost. Our children will struggle with virtual learning, with some not even having access to the necessary tools. We must address systemic racism that pervades this country, particularly in the area of criminal justice. Too many Black men have died at the hands of police. Whether its education, housing, jobs, banking or many other parts of life, Black Americans struggle and don’t have the opportunity to succeed.

How I plan to address those issues as a member of the U. S. House of Representatives: We have passed three critical bills to address the pandemic. Unfortunately, the most recent bill, which would provide ongoing unemployment assistance, help our schools, support first responders among other crucial components, is languishing in the Senate. I continue to advocate for more assistance to child care programs, an additional stimulus check for Americans and more investments in public health. I’m also a co-sponsor of the Justice in Policing Act that reforms qualified immunity, which protects police when they may have committed wrongdoing. It also mandates training on racial bias, bans chokeholds, limits military equipment to police and works to ensure body cameras.