UMW hosts 7th Congressional District Debate

by KY HUYNH

Associate Editor

On Wednesday evening, The UMW Student Government Association hosted Virginia’s 7th Congressional District debate in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium. The candidates, Derrick Anderson (R) and Eugene Vindman (D), debated on a range of topics, including the economy, reproductive rights, climate change and gun control.

Supporters of each campaign began lining Double Drive over an hour before the debate began at 7 p.m. to cheer on their favored candidate and verbally clash with the opposition. Signage lined the walkway leading into George Washington Hall as community members funneled into the auditorium. 

UMW Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth moderated the debate as the candidates answered a series of 13 questions. Chair of the UMW political science department Rosalyn Cooperman, WFVA Radio News Director Ted Schubel and Managing Editor at The Free Lance-Star Jake Womer took turns asking questions. 

Both campaigns agreed to a series of rules prior to the start of the debate, which included a coin toss that Anderson won to determine who gave opening statements first. The rules also included a prohibition on cheering and applause during the question and answer period and a ban on any signage that may obstruct audience members’ views.

Despite Farnsworth’s warning that disruptive behavior was not permitted in the venue, candidates’ remarks were repeatedly interrupted by cheers, groans and heckling. 

“I am going to ask my supporters to please be civil and cordial so we can get through this debate and you can hear where both of us stand,” Vindman said after Farnsworth reiterated audience expectations following a particularly lively reaction from the crowd. 

Throughout the spirited debate, both candidates had an opportunity to outline policy proposals and provide voters with their stances on pertinent issues. Anderson began the debate with an opening statement that emphasized the economy. 

“I want to make sure that it’s more affordable for people to live in our district, get our economy back on track,” he said. “I want to make sure that our border is secure and our foreign policy is strong so we can make our communities safe.”

Anderson, the Republican nominee, is a Spotsylvania County native who has served in the U.S. Army and the Special Forces as a Green Beret. He worked in the Office of National Drug Control Policy under former President Donald Trump and currently serves as a Major in the U.S. Army National Guard. 

In his opening statement, Vindman, the Democratic nominee, said, “My motivation is family, and there are some critically important issues in this race.”

Following the passing of his mother, Vindman immigrated from Soviet Ukraine to New York City in 1979 with his father, two brothers and grandmother. He served in the U.S. Army for over two decades before joining the National Security Council as a legal advisor focused on international partnerships, human rights and ethics.

“I’m very sensitive to the cost of housing, gas, groceries, and we have to address those, and those will be my priorities on day one in Congress,” he said. 

Economy

The first question pertained to the economy. 

“We are seeing that the economy is just not working for folks,” said Anderson. “In the Commonwealth of Virginia alone, we see that about a third of Virginians are living paycheck to paycheck. We see that a quarter of Virginians are delinquent on their credit card bills.”

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, as of October 2024, regular gasoline retails at an average of $3.20 per gallon. Compared to the price in January 2020, the price of gasoline has become 35.9% higher as of June 2024, according to The Pew Research Center.

“We want to make sure we keep taxes low,” said Anderson. “We need to make sure we stop the overspending that the U.S. government continues to do day in and day out, and we’ve got to get U.S. energy back up and running.”

Vindman attributes high costs of living to a variety of factors, namely housing, prescription drug and household food item prices. 

“I am a family man, I am raising my family in Prince William County, I am very sensitive to the cost of housing, drugs and the cost of groceries in the supermarket,” said Vindman. 

Vindman proposes expanding a price cap on prescription drugs and preventing the formation of monopolies. 

“We need to make more drugs—life saving drugs—affordable for the voters in this district,” said Vindman. 

He continues, “The market is not working. What we need to do is make sure that the economy is working, that capitalism functions the way it’s supposed to by preventing monopolies from taking shape.”

Abortion 

In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson that effectively allowed states to impose strict restrictions—and in several instances, total bans—on abortion and access to reproductive healthcare.

“This is the most important issue in this race,” said Vindman.

In Virginia, abortion is currently legal but prohibited after 26 weeks. While care is relatively accessible in the Commonwealth, neighboring states like Kentucky and Tennessee have total bans that make no exceptions for rape or incest.

“It affects women’s fundamental freedoms,” Vindman said. “My daughter has fewer rights than women have enjoyed for generations. And again, as someone who defended American rights and freedom, that just does not sit right with me.”

Anderson believes that access to abortion should be left to individual states. However, he says he does support over-the-counter contraception and access to in vitro fertilization treatment.

“The Dobbs [v. Jackson] decision was clear, it gave the rights back to states to make decisions to fit the state,” he said. “I will not support a national ban on abortion.”

Climate Change

Recent natural disasters, such as Hurricane Helene, which has caused fatal flooding across the mid-Atlantic region, have become increasingly common in recent years.

“I absolutely understand that there is climate change,” said Anderson. “We really need to talk about energy and the fact of how it’s being used and what we’re doing.” 

Project 2025, also known as the Heritage Foundation’s conservative Presidential Transition Project, suggests cutting programs such as the Department of Energy’s Office for Clean Energy Demonstrations, that research and monitor climate change. Several leaders in the Republican Party have been associated with Project 2025 and its author.

“Project 2025 takes a different position,” said Vindman. “And you would have to trust that Derrick Anderson will stand up to his MAGA funders, bankrollers and he would vote out of lock step of his party.”

Vindman believes that an energy approach that includes alternatives like nuclear energy is necessary. 

“Gas, solar, wind—these are the steps we have to take in order to address climate change,” he said.

Gun Control 

Anderson focused his response on the need for greater investment in mental health resources. He recalls losing a friend to suicide and highlights the danger of inadequate support for service members returning from deployment.

“The first thing we got to do, we got to get funding for mental health,” he said. “We got to get this mental health issue back under control and we got to stop making it a stigma.” 

Vindman has two kids who have both gone through active shooter and lockdown drills in their Prince William County Public Schools.

“My daughter so far—twice—has had drills on how to learn how to survive,” he said. “That is unacceptable.” 

Vindman, a gun owner himself, supports policies like safe storage, red flag laws and closing loopholes.

“I believe in law and order,” he said. “If someone violates the law, then we prosecute them.” 

Virginia’s 7th Congressional District includes all of the City of Fredericksburg, where UMW resides, as well as Prince William, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Culpeper, Orange, Caroline, King George, Greene, Madison and Albemarle counties. 

Early voting began in Virginia on Sept. 20 and ends on Nov. 2. The deadline to register online is Oct. 15 and voters must present an acceptable form of ID or sign an ID confirmation statement at their polling location.