U.S. Senate

Sen. Mark R. Warner

As Virginians prepare to go to the polls next Tuesday, Nov. 4, the Richmond Free Press strongly urges voters to return Sen. Mark R. Warner to office for another six-year term.

Sen. Warner best represents the interests of all Virginians. His stances aim to lift the boats of all in the commonwealth.

The quality of life for all Virginians is enhanced by the Affordable Care Act. Sen. Warner supports it, with modifications. His opponent would seek to abolish it.

All Virginians would reap the benefits generated by raising the federal minimum wage, which Sen. Warner supports. His opponent does not.

Sen. Warner will work to ensure that women’s reproductive rights are protected. His opponent wants to diminish those rights.

Sen. Warner wants to protect students from the crushing amount of debt endured to receive a higher education by capping repayment of student loans at 10 percent of income.

Sen. Warner has earned the national NAACP’s highest rating on civil rights issues.

At last weekend’s state NAACP convention in Chesapeake, Sen. Warner talked about his background — as the first in his family to graduate from college, as starting his future with $15,000 in student loan debt, of two failed attempts to start businesses before he found the right one — Nextel cellular phone — that made him a millionaire.

We heard him acknowledge to the delegates that he understood firsthand “white privilege” because he, a white man with the right background and placement, had been given three opportunities at business success after failing twice.

He said that while he can’t guarantee everyone’s success, he would work to guarantee all Virginians have a fair shot.

That’s what we want. That’s what we support.

His economic empowerment efforts, including backing wage increases as well as equal pay for women, are a part of that.

Sen. Warner has shown that he can work across the aisle to build consensus. And while we believe he may bend too much in some areas, we applaud his vision and leadership.

Virginia need not be tethered to retrogressive ideologies.

Vote for Sen. Warner on Nov. 4.

7th Congressional District

Jack Trammell

We may not know much about Jack Trammell, the Democratic party candidate running for the 7th District congressional seat. But we know more than enough about Tea Party Republican Dave Brat to strongly endorse his opponent.

Dr. Trammell is an associate professor at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland. When he entered this race, he was seen as the sacrificial lamb to be slaughtered by House Majority Leader Eric I. Cantor in this largely Republican-voting district.

But when Rep. Cantor was upset in June’s GOP primary by Tea Party candidate Dr. Brat — and his supporters who thought Rep. Cantor not conservative enough — Dr. Trammell’s candidacy suddenly was taken more seriously.

He is on the right side of the issues and deserves your vote.

Dr. Trammell backs the Affordable Care Act with fixes and favors maintaining Social Security under the protection of the federal government. In understanding the plight of the working poor, he supports an increase in the minimum wage and expanding public transit to link people to jobs.

He also supports women’s reproductive rights, benefit increases for veterans, greater access to college and student loan relief.

While he is vague on some specifics of job creation and promoting economic opportunities to help all of Virginia’s families, we feel he will grow in the task of representing the district.

As for Dr. Brat, Virginia does not need another serving of mush whipped up with a Southern Tea Party recipe. Voting for Dr. Trammell could make a real difference.

3rd Congressional District

Rep. Robert C. Scott

Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott is running unopposed in the 3rd Congressional District.

But that is no reason to sit home next Tuesday, Nov. 4, and overlook casting a vote in this election.

Rep. Scott is considered by several organizations to be one of the most effective congressmen in the House of Representatives. And those organizations, by and large, have interests that align with those of the majority of Virginians in the 3rd District.

In April, he was recognized as a Champion of Healthcare Innovation by the Healthcare Leadership Council for his efforts to ensure all Americans have affordable, quality health care. He has introduced the Youth PROMISE Act to help communities develop a comprehensive response to youth violence through coordinated prevention and intervention. The measure has the backing of more than 300 organizations, officials and experts, including the Children’s Defense Fund, the American Psychological Association and the National Black Police Association.

He is the ranking member on the House Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security & Investigations Committee and a co-chair of the House Over-Criminalization Task Force of the House Judiciary Committee. He also sits on critical subcommittees of the House Judiciary Committee and the House Education & the Workforce Committee.

He has supported the Affordable Care Act, aid to historically black colleges and universities and fairness in sentencing for drug crimes. When it comes to budget matters, he understands and masters the minutiae that, though critical, puts others to sleep.

Rep. Scott consistently stands with President Obama when other Democrats lack the backbone.

Because of his continued hard work and long record of understanding and supporting the needs of the people in the 3rd District, Rep. Scott deserves a strong showing of support on Election Day.

Other races

We endorse Delegate Rosalyn R. Dance to succeed Henry L. Marsh III in the 16th Senate District.

In the 2014 General Assembly session, we were dismayed that she supported the Republican budget in committee and on the floor, even though it excluded the expansion of Medicaid. There are other votes that give us angst, particularly in the area of education.

Still, among the two candidates, she is the better to replace Mr. Marsh. Her opponent, Preston T. Brown, has done well in business, but lacks the experience needed for success in the pressure cooker of the Virginia legislature.

We can only hope that, if she wins, Delegate Dance will provide the advocacy and leadership the district needs and deserves.

We also endorse Edward F. Jewett for Richmond Circuit Court clerk.

He brings extensive experience, but even better, he is a people person. We note how prepared he was when the courts ordered clerks in Virginia to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

We value Mr. Jewett’s capable, competent and people-centered approach.