From [HERE] The Rev. Jesse Jackson is encouraging Virginians to vote in the state's closely watched race for governor.
The Richmond-Times Dispatch reports that the civil rights activist visited Trinity Baptist Church in Richmond Sunday to encourage voter participation.
Jackson said his Rainbow PUSH Coalition will be active in voter registration and turnout in Virginia. He was joined Sunday by church leaders and state lawmakers from the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus.
The Old Dominion is one of only two states electing new governors this year and the contest is viewed as a potential early referendum on President Donald Trump. Democrat Ralph Northam is facing Republican Ed Gillespie in the gubernatorial contest.
Democrat Ralph Northam has an early eight-point lead over Republican Ed Gillespie in the Virginia governor’s race, according to a new survey released last month.
The poll by Quinnipiac University found 47 percent of Virginia voters backed Northam, the state’s sitting lieutenant governor, while 39 percent backed Gillespie, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee. [MORE]
Northam (born September 13, 1959) is an American doctor, U.S. Army veteran, former Virginia state senator, and current Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Northam has pledged to "stand up against" Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Northam has remained neutral on the building of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. He has also avoided taking a firm stance on other pipelines such as the Mountain Valley Pipeline.
Northam voted against a constitutional amendment to make Virginia a right to work state.