Jackson, Northam Debate Va. Finances in Arlington

For the first time, Republican lieutenant governor nominee E.W. Jackson and his Democratic challenger state Sen. Ralph Northam will square off in a debate on the "Fiscal Future of Virginia."

Chesapeake pastor E.W. Jackson incendiary rhetoric has likened abortion provider Planned Parenthood to the Ku Klux Klan. He delivers concentrated conservative doctrine with the practiced delivery and cadence of a camp-meeting evangelist.

State Sen. Ralph Northam is a pediatric neurologist from Norfolk who became a hero to his party - particularly women - when he voiced the medical profession's opposition to 2012 legislation mandating ultrasonic pelvic exams of all women seeking abortions.

In a recent poll, Jackson trailed Northam by a 44 percent to 41 percent margin among likely voters.

But that 41 percent level of support for Jackson is the highest among Republican candidates.

The debate on Virginia's finances begins at 7 p.m. at George Mason University's Arlington campus.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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