Candidates for gov.: ‘No new taxes’

RICHMOND — Three gubernatorial candidates and a fourth yet to make his candidacy official said Tuesday they will do all possible to reenergize Virginia’s economy without tax increases if elected.

Appearing for the first time together at Associated Press Day at the Capital, the candidates said a recession is not the time to increase the burden on taxpayers.

“In a recession, the worst thing you can do is tax your way to prosperity,’’ said Republican Bob McDonnell, whose path to the GOP gubernatorial nomination is clear.

Democrat Terry McAuliffe, who is testing the campaign waters before making a decision on his candidacy Jan. 7, said he would look to grow Virginia’s economy by creating jobs with alternative energy sources.

Democratic Del. Brian Moran said an investment of $1 billion in the state’s highway infrastructure would create 35,000 jobs.

And fellow Democrat Sen. Creigh Deeds said whatever is done, he hopes that k-12 education will be spared cuts because of its importance to the future.

The recent success of Democrats in Virginia’s statewide elections made for an interesting question about the electability of McDonnell, the state’s current attorney general.

McDonnell touted his knowledge of Virginia, having been raised in Northern Virginia and having lived in both Hampton Roads and Richmond.

“I know how to solve problems,’’ said McDonnell.

He said he helped shepherd welfare reform and other changes while a legislator.

He also said he would fashion a campaign broader than those that failed for the GOP in the fall. McDonnell pledges he’ll reach out to both young and ethnic voters.

McAuliffe, known for his role as chairman of Hilllary Clinton’s presidential campaign and as former Democratic National Committee chairman, played down the label of carpetbagger stuck to him by political foes.

He noted that he had lived in Fairfax County with his wife and children for nearly 20 years, and said while DNC chairman, he directed large campaign contributions to the successful gubernatorial candidacies of Mark Warner and Timothy M. Kaine.

“It’s an opportunity for someone not in Richmond with new ideas,’’ McAuliffe said.

Both Moran and Deeds have been campaigning for the Democratic nomination for several months.

Deeds told the audience of journalists that he was the only Democratic candidate to have run statewide. He narrowly lost to McDonnell for attorney general by 323 votes three years ago, and said while he is a Bath County resident, he can mount a strong campaign in locations such as Northern Virginia.

Moran said Democrats are in touch with Virginia voters on what he described as the kitchen table issues. That, he said, helped drive the party’s recent wins in Virginia.

He said he would continue the successes of both current Gov. Kaine and his predecessor, Warner.

“The next governor must have a vision to continue that success,’’ said Moran, who criticized McDonnell for not supporting increased funding for education in 2004.

McDonnell responded by saying that the half-cent increase on Virginia’s sales tax in 2004 was the state’s largest tax increase ever, and came when the state had a $300 million surplus.

A political expert speaking earlier at AP Day at the Capital said McDonnell is a formidable candidate, but also spoke of the Republican Party’s hard work to attract more voters and win more elections.

Virginia Commonwealth University political science professor Bob Holsworth said the Republican message must be more inclusive to reach younger and Latino voters in Virginia.

Holsworth said the Virginia GOP can no longer count on wealthy suburban voters as it has in the past.

Virginia Republican Party Chairman Jeff Frederick said he is eager to rebuild the party, and the focus must be on Republican principles such as “lower taxes, less government … We must offer common sense conservative solutions.”