Governor-Elect Ralph Northam held his first press conference this morning in the Patrick Henry Building on Broad Street, after a resounding victory that saw him beat Republican challenger Ed Gillespie by almost nine points. In a room packed with journalists, state-employees, and well-wishers, Northam struck a conciliatory tone, claiming that he will govern for all Virginians in the “Virginian Way.”
He fielded a wide range of questions about how to reconcile voters from both parties, what his cabinet would look like, and how he would work with President Trump. “There are things that President Trump has talked about wanting to do for this country that would be beneficial to the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Northam when prodded by a reporter. “For example, building up our military… I believe in a strong military and as you know, we build some of the greatest warships and submarines right here in Virginia, in Newport News.” Northam also made it clear that if there are “detrimental policies coming out of Washington” he would stand up to them, such as the travel ban, the Paris Accords, and healthcare. “Any plan that puts 30 million Americans at risk of losing their coverage is a non-starter with me.”
Photo by David Streever
When asked by a reporter from the Virginia Pilot about a comment made by former Gov. Bob McDonnell that referred to him being “co-opted by the leftist agenda,” he responded, “I don’t think I have been taken over by a national agenda… this is about Virginia, and moving Virginia forward.”
Northam closed by circling back to a question on his signature phrase about governing the “Virginian Way.” “We can agree to disagree,” he said, but “at the end of the day we do what is in the best interest of Virginia.” To further make his point he pointed to legislation he passed in the Senate about banning smoking in restaurants and resisting tobacco lobbyists in the interests of all Virginians – claiming that this is the “Virginian Way.”
“We live in the greatest state in this country, and we have so much potential. It is time to put some of the ideology and divisiveness aside and bring people to the table, and again move Virginia in a positive direction.”
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