As parents of children who went through the public school system, my wife Anne and I know firsthand the power that good teachers have to change kids’ lives for the better. There are about 4,500 teacher vacancies in Virginia, and the highest vacancy levels tend to be in schools with higher concentrations of Black students and students living in poverty. I have introduced several bills to combat teacher shortages. For example, my bipartisan Preparing and Retaining Education Professionals (PREP) Act would address teacher and principal shortages, particularly in rural communities, and increase teacher diversity by expanding the definition of “high need” districts under the Every Student Succeeds Act. I also have a bill called the Supporting Teaching and Learning through Better Data Act, which would address teacher workforce shortages by strengthening data collection on the teacher workforce. Moreover, we must take steps like expanding access to Pre-K to close achievement gaps. When I was Governor, I worked across the aisle to expand Pre-K enrollment in Virginia by 40 percent. Earlier this year, I successfully pushed for a $1 billion increase for early childhood learning in child care in the government funding package, which included a $66.5 million increase in funding to support universal pre-K for service member families.

Cao responded:

My parents wanted me to achieve more than they had. I want my kids to be able to exceed my accomplishments. Every American wants the next generation to be more successful than their own.

We are the wealthiest country in the history of the world. Our schools should be excellent, and parents should have the power to demand that. If parents feel that their child’s education is not up to their standard, they should be able to take their tax dollars to a school that does meet that standard. School choice gives power back to parents and ensures that your future isn’t determined by your zip code. When we escaped Vietnam right before the fall of Saigon to the Communists, my parents dreamed of a place where their children can thrive. They taught us that your money or your title can be taken away in the blink of an eye, but your knowledge is forever. We owe the same commitment to our children and our children’s children.

Anderson did not respond.

Vindman responded:

As the father of two kids currently in public school, and the husband of a former public school teacher, who taught all over the country and overseas, I see the gaps in our public education system every day. My daughter does not have a permanent language arts teacher.  We also have kids learning in trailers rather than in classrooms. This is a problem across our district.

Growing up in an immigrant family, my brothers and I attended high-quality public schools that allowed our family to live the American dream; but for too many communities the lack of necessary resources is keeping kids back, teachers away, and success out of reach for too many families. In Congress, I commit to being a partner for every community in the 7th district and fight to ensure they have the resources to support every student, and I will fight back against MAGA extremists on local school boards who are plotting to ban books and compromise our kids’ education.

I will work across the aisle to secure federal funding to increase teacher pay, rebuild schools, and bring technology into the classroom. I will also use my position to foster more relationships between our schools and the building trades, ensuring that students interested in pursuing a career in the trades have a clear path to enrolling in an apprenticeship program after graduation. I will work to build consensus around common-sense solutions to lower the costs of college, including community colleges, so that every hard-working student who wants to pursue a college degree is able to do so, no matter their family’s financial situation. But more than any solution that I can propose, I will always look to the local leaders, educators, students, and parents for their ideas, and find ways I can support them as they fight to make our schools the best in the country.

Kaine responded:

No state is more closely connected to the military than Virginia. As the father of a Marine, I know firsthand that military families, veterans, and service members face unique challenges and need leaders who understand them. That’s why I’ve made it a top priority in the Senate to support veterans, servicemembers, and their families.

In 2022, I helped pass the PACT Act, which expanded health care and benefits through the VA to toxic-exposed veterans and marked the largest expansion of VA health care in nearly 30 years. I have also passed legislation to ease servicemembers’ transition into the civilian workforce by helping them use the skills they developed in the military to obtain a workforce credential to help them get a good job, and help remove barriers to maternal and postpartum mental health care in the military. Last month, I cosponsored legislation to help end homelessness among veterans by guaranteeing access to a housing voucher for all veterans who need it and protecting veteran families using a voucher from facing housing discrimination.

Additionally, I worked to pass the Brandon Act to provide servicemembers with key mental health support by empowering them to get the help they need confidentially. The legislation was named in honor of Brandon Caserta, who died by suicide in 2018 while he was stationed at Naval Station Norfolk. I continue to relentlessly advocate for DOD to fully implement this law.

Cao responded:

Veterans’ issues will always be near and dear to my heart as a twenty-five year Navy combat veteran who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. Our servicemembers and veterans deserve to have access to appropriate and timely healthcare, and mental health services. The idea that we are feeding and clothing illegal aliens while 80,000 of our veterans are homeless on the streets makes my blood boil. Our men and women in uniform deserve to have a Commander-in-Chief and Congress which supports their efforts across the globe. We continue to fight a proxy war in Ukraine without robust debate about the financial burden or national security implications to our country. Americans deserve to know from the Administration the desired end-state. Our military must have the resources it needs to face growing instability around the world. Right now, we face abysmal recruiting numbers and deficits in overall readiness. This is a leadership problem first and foremost and our active duty servicemembers deserve better. Make no mistake, as your United States Senator, I will work to ensure our veterans receive the resources and support that they deserve.

Anderson responded:

Vindman responded:

As a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Army, and the husband of a current U.S. Army Reservist, I don’t just appreciate the unique needs of our veteran population—I’ve lived them. The servicemen and women who’ve dedicated their lives to protecting our country and our freedoms deserve leaders who are focused on following through on the solemn duty to our veterans, not just using them as props for their political gains. In Congress, I will:

First, I will protect the existing, hard-earned benefits of veterans from attacks from MAGA extremists. The Project 2025 blueprint for a MAGA-controlled federal government has proposed slashing funding for veterans’ healthcare and housing programs, and cutting dual compensation benefits for disabled vets. It also has proposed replacing the career civil servants at the VA—men and women who have decades of experience—with partisan actors who don’t know the first thing about delivering for our veterans. If elected, I will fight tooth and nail to stop this extreme agenda and ensure that there are no cuts to existing programs to support our veteran community.

Second, I will build on recent bipartisan progress, such as the landmark PACT Act that veterans have fought for decades to make a reality. The PACT Act has meant that millions of veterans previously denied care can now access their hard-earned benefits without having to fight tooth and nail to prove their eligibility. In Congress, I will work to both ensure this legislation is effectively implemented by the VA and build on it so we can ensure that no veteran’s legitimate claims are doubted or turned away when they go to seek vital medical benefits.

Last, if I am elected, I will fight to secure the necessary resources to provide holistic support to our veterans. From guaranteeing funding for job training and placement support, to providing funding for home ownership to end the crisis of veteran homelessness, expanding physical and mental health support, and promoting increased qualified professional staffing at VA hospitals and outpatient centers. As your Congressman, I will ensure our veterans are supported and cared for across Virginia, and the country. I also know that more funding alone is not enough to solve these problems. In Congress, I will demand increased oversight so that problems are addressed and not simply swept under the rug.

Serving for 25 years in the Army was the honor of my life, and I can think of no mission more important than ensuring our nation upholds the solemn responsibility we have to our veterans. My brothers and sisters in uniform had my back for 25 years, you can bet your bottom dollar that I will have theirs.

Kaine responded:

For my entire career, I’ve rolled my sleeves up and worked across the aisle to do what’s best for Virginia. Whether it be working with a Republican-controlled legislature to increase Pre-K enrollment when I was Governor, working with the Trump administration to strengthen our Navy and bolster Virginia’s shipbuilding industry, working with Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to save lives by raising the federal age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21, or working with the Biden administration and Senators from both parties to rebuild our infrastructure and bring good-paying jobs to Virginia — I am willing to partner with anyone if it means delivering for Virginians. We need more leaders in elected office who work together to pursue common-sense solutions.

Cao responded:

When I was in the Navy, I wasn’t thinking about Republicans or Democrats. I was defending the freedoms of all Americans. I will do the same in the United States Senate. For far too long, Washington DC has been broken. Our elected representatives don’t get things done on behalf of the people who sent them there, and they stay far too long on our dime. I’ll work with anyone in Congress, regardless of party, if they share our goals of securing the border, lowering prices, and preserving the freedom of Virginians to live as they choose.

Anderson responded:

I strongly believe that country comes before political party. During my time as a Green Beret, no one cared about political affiliation, and I’ll take that same approach to representing you in Congress. In contrast, my opponent is a down-the-line partisan. That’s one reason why he won’t debate me on TV – his positions are mired in the failures of the past, while I’ll work with anyone to improve the future of people in my home district. For example: I’ll work to get costs down; he’ll continue the same inflationary spending policies. High gas and grocery prices affect everyone regardless of political affiliation or beliefs, so that’s what I’m focused on. I will meet with anyone and talk about any issues in any setting. That’s how I campaign and that’s how I’ll operate in Congress, because I am there to serve the entire 7th district, no matter what party affiliation.

Vindman responded:

In my 25 years in the Army, I worked with folks of every race, religion, class, and educational level. In every instance, there was far more that we had in common than what made us different. As a paratrooper it never mattered if the soldier standing next to me on a jump was a Democrat or Republican, we saw the mission through. Labels just get in the way.

I’ve brought this same mission-first focus to my campaign for Congress, and every day out on the trail reaffirms to me that there will always be more that unites us than what divides us. I’m willing to work with anyone that will help move our community forward.

On this campaign, I have gone everywhere. I’ve joined Sunday services in one-room churches in rural Spotsylvania, toured immigrant-owned grocery stores in Prince William, knocked on doors in the Piedmont, attended NASCAR races in Spotsy and rodeos in Culpeper, chatted with folks at Black barber shops, and visited family farms. At every event I attend or voter I meet with, I listen more than talk. Frankly, that’s where I get some great ideas, from regular folks.

In Congress, I pledge to be a fighter for every person who calls our community their home, not just those who voted for me. I will work across the aisle to protect our freedoms, lower costs, and make it easier for middle-class families to thrive. I will keep visiting every corner of this district, holding accessible town halls, and making sure my office is working to deliver for Virginians.

This is my home. My wife and I are raising our two kids in public schools here. I’ll never stop fighting for our community.

Given the connection between border security and national defense, what specific policies would you support to enhance the protection of our borders while also ensuring that our military installations in Virginia remain secure from potential threats?

Kaine responded:

I am prepared to work with anyone to secure our southern border, restore order to our immigration system, and increase resources to combat the fentanyl crisis. In 2012, 50 Virginians died from fentanyl overdoses. In 2022, that number was nearly 2,000. That’s why I recently supported a tough bipartisan border security bill, which would have provided critical resources to combat the fentanyl crisis and impose order to a chaotic situation at the southern border. That bill failed when Donald Trump encouraged Republican legislators to oppose the bill because they would rather complain about the problem than fix it. The Republican failure to join in bipartisan solutions is nothing new. Over the course of my Senate career, I’ve voted for nearly $300 billion in funding for border security and worked across the aisle to pass the FEND Off Fentanyl Act and Disrupt Fentanyl Trafficking Act, which became law through the FY 2024 NDAA. But three efforts at more comprehensive reforms—in 2013, 2018, and 2024—fell apart when Republican leadership opposed even stronger bipartisan proposals. We need Republican leadership to work together to find solutions and quit using the issue as a political talking point.

As chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, I have used my perch to spotlight threats to our military operations and worked across the aisle to keep our servicemembers safe. Moreover, I have passed meaningful legislation such as the EMBRACE Act, which authorized the Department of Defense to carry out stormwater management projects at military installations to protect our military bases and environment from the effects of climate change.

Cao responded:

Our open border is a national security threat as tens of thousands of military-aged males from China, Yemen and Syria enter daily. When I’m elected, my first priority is to secure our border by supporting efforts to finish the border wall system. This wall system has integrated fiberoptic cables for ElectroOptical and Infrared (EO/IR) cameras and seismic sensors. We will root out terrorists who entered the U.S. illegally. As a 25-year Navy combat  veteran, I believe we also need to protect Virginia’s military installations from potential threats, and that begins with closing our border to terrorists, gangs, and military-aged males seeking to undermine us. Everything that’s going wrong in our country stems from our open border. Housing costs are at an all-time high because there’s millions who were not here a few years ago for which we need to provide housing. The Biden-Harris administration spends a billion dollars a day which includes free cell phones and gift cards upon arrival, driving up costs. We need to put the American people first and that begins with closing our border.

Anderson responded:

We need a complete overhaul of the current open borders approach, which has brought crime, drugs, and national security threats to Virginia’s 7th District. This is a big contrast in this race: my opponent supports the current open borders policies, and I oppose them. The list of actions we need to take is long: round up illegal border-crossers and deport them, with a particular focus on national security threats and criminals. Increase funding and support for Border Patrol — both in terms of agents and technology. Overhaul the gridlocked legal system. And our leaders need to make it clear that illegal immigration into the US will not be tolerated. Look at the fentanyl crisis in Virginia: 5 people overdose each day here. We have to recognize that the current policies have failed America, and we need change. Instead, my opponent wants to continue the failures of the past.

Vindman responded:

Our country deserves leaders who are committed to securing our border, and keeping our men and women in uniform and their families safe. In Congress that is exactly what I will do.

As a 25-year Army veteran and a former White House National Security Council advisor, I know how important it is to defend our sovereign territory. We must have a strong border, with the necessary investments in infrastructure, technology, and human capital to ensure that we know who and what is crossing our borders on land and at sea and stop illegal immigration and the trafficking of drugs like fentanyl in both domains. In Congress, I will be proud to support the bipartisan border security legislation that would invest over $20 Billion to strengthen our border and has been endorsed by the Border Patrol union. This proposal would hire thousands of additional border patrol agents, deploy state-of-the-art monitoring technology, and provide funding for border security infrastructure.

As a former Army JAG prosecutor, I worked all the time with law enforcement on military bases. There is a robust threat assessment and response mechanism at every military installation including the four installations within or on the borders of the 7th congressional district. Besides the sensitive military assets on these installations, there are thousands of servicemembers and families. Their security is a top priority. In addition to meeting with installation commanders and stakeholders on the installation, I would get a threat assessment brief from leaders in the Pentagon. If warranted, I would sponsor legislation to supplement security on our military installations. Our security must be sufficient to eliminate physical, cyber, and intelligence penetration or threats. In Congress, I will work across the aisle to ensure our military installations have the resources necessary to physically harden against threats both foreign and domestic, as well as the intelligence resources to stop these attacks before they happen.

In Congress, I will work with leaders from both parties and across the military and intelligence communities as well as state and local elected officials here in Virginia, to identify vulnerabilities and stop breaches or attacks before they happen. Recently Marine Corps Base Quantico had an attempted breach that was effectively stopped by base personnel – this attempted penetration was just another example of the need to provide our domestic military installations with the resources necessary to protect themselves.

Kaine responded:

“A free and vibrant press is critical to any democracy. Amidst growing threats to democratic values around the world, we must redouble our efforts to promote press freedom and protect journalists. When reporters like Vladimir Kara-Murza and Evan Gershkovich were wrongfully detained for years by Russian authorities, I worked with the administration to push for their release. I was heartened to see both of them return home this summer. I have also introduced a bipartisan bill, the International Press Freedom Act, that would help protect at-risk journalists working in countries with high censorship by creating a new visa category for threatened journalists and opening a new office within the State Department to combat crimes against journalists. Moreover, I have been proud to engage with and support local newsrooms over the course of my career, especially in Virginia. Local press plays an indispensable role in holding leaders accountable and providing communities with answers to important questions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I urged Senate leaders to include funding to support local journalism and media in any relief packages.”

Cao responded:

“Lately the mainstream media has been carrying water for government officials rather than holding them accountable, even going so far as to censor opposing views. What has been disclosed about the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to coordinate with both media outlets and social media platforms to censor and restrict free speech is incredibly troubling. Freedom of speech and freedom of thought are on the ballot this November. The First Amendment was not put in place only to protect media outlets, but to protect the American people’s right to free speech. I fought for that right for twenty-five years in the Navy, and I’m not done.”

Anderson responded:

“They say that how a person campaigns is how they’ll govern, and right now VA-07 voters are seeing a real-world example of how Yevgeny Vindman would govern —  he’s dodging public debates and he’s dodging questions about inflating his military record.

I’m dedicated to being open and accessible to as many voters as possible. The six debates and forums I accepted are one of the many ways I’ll do so, and I challenge my opponent to accept them as well.”

Vindman did not respond.

This series will continue next week. If you have suggestions for topics, feel free to add a comment.