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The
Weekly
Ringer
VOLUME 98 | ISSUE 5
October 4, 2024
UMW hosts Virginia’s 7th Congressional District debate
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 LanceStar 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.”
Supporters of both candidates attempt to rally attendees along Double Drive as they enter Dodd Auditorium for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District debate. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
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Anderson and Vindman campaign signs placed debate near campus entry. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
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.”
Life | 4
PAC offers opportunities for students to take center stage
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, as of Oct. 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.”
Sports | 8
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