At first glance, the ad from Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie is a cookie-cutter attack lifted from the Republican political consultant's playbook. It charges Democrat Ralph Northam with casting "the deciding vote in favor of sanctuary cities that let illegal immigrants who commit crimes back on the street" after rhetorically asking "who will keep your family safe?" The swipe is followed by heartwarming images of Gillespie being endorsed by sheriffs and police officers.
Back in February 2017, the legislature in Virginia voted on legislation that would prevent cities from declaring themselves sanctuary cities, where local officials refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. (Virginia currently does not have any sanctuary cities.)
Republicans have a narrow 21-19 edge in the state Senate, and Northam, as Lieutenant Governor, votes to break ties. While Republicans had the numbers to pass their sanctuary city ban (but not override a veto) along party lines, the Republican state Senate Majority Leader Thomas Norment initially voted against bill, creating a 20-20 tie and forcing Northam to, as Gillespie's ad in August would later note, "cast the deciding vote."
Machiavellian? No doubt. But still, it is a vote that Northam took and he can't excuse it by saying someone else made him do it.
Ed Gillespie Hits Ralph Northam on Sanctuary Cities...
But Gillespie's media team needed some extra help, and some long-range planning, to be able to make that ad.Back in February 2017, the legislature in Virginia voted on legislation that would prevent cities from declaring themselves sanctuary cities, where local officials refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. (Virginia currently does not have any sanctuary cities.)
Republicans have a narrow 21-19 edge in the state Senate, and Northam, as Lieutenant Governor, votes to break ties. While Republicans had the numbers to pass their sanctuary city ban (but not override a veto) along party lines, the Republican state Senate Majority Leader Thomas Norment initially voted against bill, creating a 20-20 tie and forcing Northam to, as Gillespie's ad in August would later note, "cast the deciding vote."
...After State Senate Leader Trapped Northam Months Ago
After getting Northam on record, Republicans held a second vote, on which Norment voted "yes." That bill was predictably vetoed by the Democratic governor. The Washington Post reported at the time, "Asked if he had switched his vote in a deliberate effort to force Northam to vote on the contentious issue, Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment (R-James City) simply walked away from reporters."Machiavellian? No doubt. But still, it is a vote that Northam took and he can't excuse it by saying someone else made him do it.