Candidates talk experience, tax cuts, and exemptions at Fredericksburg forum

FREDERICKSBURG — Two Stafford Board of Supervisors candidates hope their experience will resonate with voters, and land them a permanent seat on board.  

Interim George Washington District Supervisor Tom Coen is campaigning on his record of 20 years of public service which includes a four-year run on the Stafford County Planning Commission.  At a candidates forum in Fredericksburg on Monday night, stressed his ability to be a bridge between the various supervisors.

The Republican turned independent was appointed to the Stafford Board of Supervisors in January, replacing Bob Thomas who was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates last year. Coen was asked about his party change.

“People just want to see things get done” and that “Party affiliation does not matter on the local level especially if you’re looking to help people,” said Coen.

His opponent Gordon Silver, a regional finance manager working for Cox Automotive is running as a Republican. Silver discussed getting ahead of the growth of Stafford County while maintaining its businesses, schools, and infrastructure.

Silver wants to bring his experience in finance to the table to help manage the county finances.

The Fredericksburg and Stafford chapters of the NAACP held the political forum at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library’s location in Downtown Fredericksburg.

In addition to the local Stafford Board of Supervisors candidates, there also those running for federal office to Democrat Vangie Williams, a strategic planner running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Virginia’s 1st Congressional district, which runs from Prince William County southeast to Virginia’s Tidewater Region. Williams’ opponent, the incumbent Republican Rob Wittman was not in attendance but did have representation from his campaign.

Williams is running with the slogan “We Deserve Better.” She expressed her platform to improve health care, education, and treatment of veterans. Williams said she refuses to accept corporate PAC money and to rely solely on donations for her constituents. Williams proposed creating a federal tax exemption for the first $50,000 of earned wages.

Also in attendance was Libertarian candidate Joe Walton who is running for a seat in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District which includes a portion of Spotsylvania County. Walton’s opponents, incumbent Dave Brat and Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger were not in attendance.

Matt Waters, the Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate was also in attendance. His opponents, the incumbent Democratic Senator Tim Kaine and Republican challenger Corey Stewart were did not attend.

Waters said he supports tax cuts for everyone, and also focused on Criminal Justice reform and the negative effects of the drug war. Waters also discussed wanting to end mandatory minimum sentencing which penalizes offenders with sentences many have called excessive.

The event was hosted by Joshua Cole who had run for the Virginia House of Delegates 28th district seat in 2017 as a Democrat and lost to the Republican candidate Robert Thomas Jr. It should be noted that the results of the race are being upheld due to a legal challenge. Mr. Cole plans to run again in 2019 for the same seat.

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 6.