WSET: Hashmi vs. Reid: The top policies of the Lieutenant Governor candidates in Virginia

(WSET) — If polls are to be trusted, the latest ones suggest that Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor race is going to be close.

Democrat candidate Ghazala Hashmi has run a relatively drama-free campaign. Other than a scandal targeting Republican candidate John Reid in April this year, both candidates have mostly faced the campaign trail alongside the other candidates they share ballots with, receiving support and endorsements without many surprising moments.

ABC13’s Pat Simon sat down with both candidates in one-on-one interviews, discussing hot topics about a month and a half before Election Day.

Here are three of each of their top issues, as Election Day is here now.

Reid puts the economy and business first, saying he wants to protect workers and employers by fighting to preserve the Right to Work. He plans to advocate for lower taxes and deregulation, focusing on boosting the economic environment. He hailed back to his own years in business as an indicator of his ability to do so.

Hashmi places reproductive freedom at the forefront of her issues. She said she will fight unceasingly for reproductive healthcare, including abortion and contraception access. Hashmi said that Virginia, as the last Southern state to not severely restrict abortion access, has the responsibility to ensure that abortion remains accessible to all Virginians and Americans.

Reid says defending law enforcement is another major running point he stands behind. He believes a stable, safe community depends upon the existence of law enforcement officers who can not only handle good citizens in their worst moments but also deal with violent criminals on a daily basis.

Hashmi’s stance on gun violence prevention also holds priority for her. She said she is committed to doing her part to reduce violence and deaths, planning to do everything in her power to halt the proliferation of guns. She supports universal background checks, safe storage laws, red flag laws and assault weapons bans.

Reid also plans to focus on education. He believes the school system should focus on teaching knowledge and critical skills, not “creating radical activists.” He said children are not the property of the government or the responsibility of the state–they are the children of parents, and as such, parents should almost always be the final decision-makers in their child’s upbringing.