Northam Campaigns in Charlottesville

Ralph Northam (left) speaks with former Democratic representative
for Virginia's 5th congressional district Lewis F. Payne, Jr. / Photo: Marguerite Gallorini

Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam met with Charlottesville residents on Sunday.  Northam is the Democratic candidate for governor.  WMRA’s Marguerite Gallorini talked with him.

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[Crowd chatting]

Three Notch’d Brewing Company in Charlottesville was packed with people – including Mayor Mike Signer and other city council members. Ralph Northam’s spirits were still high from the event in Richmond on October 19th.

RALPH NORTHAM: I think people were just longing for leadership and civility, and there was so much excitement and enthusiasm, it was a real honor to have President Barack Obama come and help us campaign.

Familiar concerns for Democrats came up: health care, the environment, gun laws, an education policy for  a 21st century workforce – and inclusion.

NORTHAM: Our daughter, Aubrey, had graduated from the University of Virginia in 2013, and just a wonderful experience she had. To watch these White Supremacists that came in to Charlottesville spewing their hatred and bigotry, bringing torches and semi-automatic weapons, that's not what this country is about. We don't condone that.

After the meet-and-greet, Northam was later joined by Tom Perriello, the former Congressman who had challenged him for the Democratic nomination, and they went for a round of canvassing in the city.

NORTHAM: There's so much enthusiasm across Virginia right now, we just want to make sure that we harness all this energy and take it to the polls on Election Day. We feel like it's going to be a good day on November the 7th for Democrats. I really encourage everybody to get out there and vote.

This story appeared on WMRA News.