WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Lieutenant Governor candidates hold debate in Salem
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Wagner repeated charges that Bolling took part in just six percent of the state board and commission meeting he was expected to attend.
Bolling repeatedly attacked Wagner, saying she had supported tax increases as a member of the Warner and Kaine administrations.They've been slugging it out on television for weeks, and Monday night, the candidates for Lieutenant Governor brought their fight to Salem.
Republican Bill Bolling and Democrat Jody Wagner met at Roanoke College for their only debate of the campaign.
Like the television ads the candidates have been airing, Monday night's exchange was dominated by negative attacks.
A flap over the rules of the debate also threatened to disrupt the proceedings.
The story line for the Salem Debate followed familiar themes.
The Democratic challenger repeated charges the Republican incumbent took part in just six percent of the state board and commission meeting he was expected to attend.
Bolling said the figure was actually closer to 80 percent when sessions of the Senate where he presided were included.
And Bolling repeatedly attacked Wagner, saying she had supported tax increases as a member of the Warner and Kaine administrations, and would do the same as Lieutenant Governor to pay for transportation improvements.
The flap over the rules came when Bolling started quoting from papers he had brought with him, and Wagner accused him of breaking the rules of the debate by bringing the materials to the stage.
A Bolling advisor who objected was escorted from the auditorium.
The official explanation from the Virginia Bar Association was that the candidates apparently received different versions of the debate rules.
