As many people know, the Virginia Gubernatorial election is coming up this November. However, not many Virginians know what is at stake with this election. The candidates from all major parties are on very opposite ends of the spectrum which could severely affect Virginians depending on the results.

Ed Gillespie

The Republican nominee, Ed Gillespie, is quite possibly one of the scariest Republicans out there. He has repeatedly spoken out against abortions and other women’s reproductive rights, gay marriage, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Gillespie also wants to end a program that lets the children of illegal immigrants ,who live in Virginia, to pay in-state tuition at public universities. Since Virginia voted for Hillary Clinton last November, he has not spoken out about Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Gillespie has not only been endorsed by former republican primary candidates Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, but also Barbara Comstock who is also very anti-choice and anti-LGBTQ rights. He has also been endorsed by the National Rifle Association and has been given a 93% rating on his support of gun rights.

Quick Facts:

1. Opposes women’s reproductive rights
2. Endorsed by the National Rifle Association(NRA)
3. Anti-LGBTQ rights
4. Supports Public Charter Schools
5. Strongly supports the creation of more prisons and keeping the death penalty

Ralph Northam

On the other end of the spectrum, we have the Democratic nominee, Ralph Northam. Northam is a pediatric neurologist, army veteran, former Virginia state senator, and current Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. He has actively spoken out against Donald Trump and the whole White House Administration’s actions against the Affordable Care Act(ACA). Along with that, he also does not believe in the expansion of charter schools but instead encourages public schooling for Virginians and seeing proper funding being used towards the public school system first. Northam is also an advocate for women’s reproductive health and funding Planned Parenthood. In fact, he has been endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice America Virginia (National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws). Recently, Former President Barack Obama has been on the campaign trail for Northam in cities all over Virginia.

Quick Facts:

1. Supports LGBTQ protection in schools
2. Expand funding for Virginia Public Schools
3. Supports Common sense gun safety laws
4. Endorsed by former president Barack Obama
5.  Endorsed by Planned Parenthood and the NARAL

Cliff Hyra

The Libertarian candidate this November is Cliff Hyra. Hyra is a fairfax county native and graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School. He then went on to Virginia Tech where he studies aerospace engineering. Hyra is a strong advocate for the legalization of Marijuana and pardons for those in jail for drug use only. He actively disapproves of the discrimination in public employment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity and plans to repeal all prohibitions of same-sex marriage, civil unions, and partnership recognition, bringing the constitution and code of Virginia in line with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges.

Quick Facts:

1. Does not support the raising of the minimum wage
2. Wants to protect 2nd Amendment rights while keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals and the severely mentally ill
3. Replace SOL’s with growth measure testing in beginning and end of school year
4. Make restoration of voting rights automatic after all sentences and probation are served.
5. Legalize marijuana and pardon those in jail for drug only charges