Democrat Alex Bastani is one of seven contenders vying to become Virginia's next lieutenant governor. (Photo courtesy of campaign)
With seven contenders vying to become Virginia性视界传媒檚 next lieutenant governor, the Mercury asked all the hopefuls to answer a questionnaire covering their political and legislative experiences and their positions on policy that shapes citizens性视界传媒 lives. Here are Democrat Alex Bastani性视界传媒檚 responses, which have been lightly edited for clarity.
Virginia性视界传媒檚 constitution stipulates that the lieutenant governor presides over the state Senate. How has your legislative or political experience prepared you for that role?
Bastani: I have been active in Democratic politics and union activism since the 1990s. I volunteered to help Senator Robb defeat Olivier North and successfully lead my union性视界传媒檚 efforts to defeat Newt Gingrich性视界传媒檚 Government Shutdowns and Budget Cuts. As an elected union leader, I faced four government shutdowns, a threatened furlough, and the proposed privatization of federal jobs. And each and every single time I defeated right wing union busters and my local grew. Unlike professional politicians, when times were tough I held town halls with our members and spoke the plain truth. No matter how heated the discussion, I stood strong and I can assure my fellow citizens that I will run the Virginia Senate with that same strength, and openness.聽
The last four years have shown us the benefits and challenges of a gubernatorial administration working effectively with a legislative body of the opposite political party. How would you participate in strengthening a productive working relationship with legislators, even if the General Assembly is controlled by a party that性视界传媒檚 opposite of yours?
Bastani: While the position of Lieutenant Governor on paper is a聽 part time job, I envision my efforts to serve and listen to the citizens of Virginia as my full time occupation. We will never achieve a productive relationship in the legislature in smoke filled backrooms in Richmond.聽 But we can rebuild a community of common interests in the churches, schools, union halls, and community centers of Hampton Roads, Chesapeake, Southside, Southwest, and yes inside the beltway. The route to build coalitions that leads to legislation for all Virginians is to create a productive working relationship with the voters, and then we can reach compromise in the legislature that benefits people not corporations.
Though lieutenant governors are not legislators, they can signal favor of work the General Assembly does. Are there specific types of legislation that your office would advocate in support of in the General Assembly?聽
Bastani: Raise the minimum wage to $20/hour on July 1, 2026性视界传媒攂ecause no full-time worker should live in poverty.
- Repeal 性视界传媒淩ight to Work性视界传媒 laws, restoring workers性视界传媒 First Amendment rights to organize and demand better conditions.
- Grant collective bargaining rights to state and municipal employees, including teachers and first responders.
- Guarantee universal physical and mental health care, so no Virginian has to choose between their health and their job.
- Fund student debt relief by making the military-industrial complex pay its fair share.
What is your stance on school choice and how do you propose to address educational disparities?
Bastani: First,聽 I want (to) state that just like teachers, parents have an integral role to play in the education of their children.聽 However, they cannot act as barriers to knowledge for other people性视界传媒檚 children. Secondly, if a parent chooses to home school or send their children to private school the government should respect that decision. However, the state is not required to provide financial assistance to any private entity which bars students性视界传媒 attendance including economic exclusions. Finally, we must allocate resources more fairly in order that a student in the financially limited schools in Southside and Southwest have the same educational opportunities as in those wealthy counties in northern Virginia.聽
Do you support the current administration性视界传媒檚 focus on revising school curricula and how would you approach curriculum content as lieutenant governor?
Bastani: No, Governor Youngkin性视界传媒檚 objection to students earning credits for graduation through classes such as Black studies is emblematic of regressive leadership from a darker repressed time in our nation and Commonwealth性视界传媒檚 history.聽
In light of recent controversies involving public officials, how do you plan to uphold and promote ethical standards in your role as lieutenant governor?
Bastani: The first step for ethical leadership is for all candidates and elected leaders to refuse to accept corporate donations. This I have pledged and obeyed in my primary campaign and will continue through my public service. Secondly, elected leaders should never accept employment from state lobbyists upon the end of their term of office, something for which I have no desire.
How do you plan to use your tie-breaking power to influence legislation, and in what areas do you see the most opportunity for bipartisan cooperation?
Bastani: I will always use my bully pulpit as the tie breaking vote in the Virginia Senate to amend legislation to benefit those two thirds of Virginians who live paycheck to paycheck. I pledge to use my tie breaking vote as an ombudsman for the working class.聽
What性视界传媒檚 the most important thing for Virginians to know about you?
Bastani: I have dedicated my entire professional life to serving other people. Whether as an attorney, a union leader, or simply a Freshman High School coach. Both my parents dedicated their lives to serving others in the medical profession by curing the body and soul.聽 I aspired to protect people性视界传媒檚 economic living standards and keep as many people in the middle class as I could. I am not a perfect man but my first priority has been and always will be to fight the powerful on the behalf of the often powerless.
