For First Time in 3 Decades, Campaign Lacks an Incumbent

Candidates Spar Over Illegal Immigration, Transportation

When Sen. John H. Chichester (R-Northumberland) announced his retirement earlier this year, it led to a rare event in Virginia's 28th Senate District: a race for an open seat.

The contest to replace the 30-year political veteran squares two former elected officials against each other: Albert C. Pollard Jr. (D), who represented the 99th House district for three terms starting in 2000; and Richard H. Stuart (R), a former commonwealth's attorney in Westmoreland County.

The district spans a diagonal swath from the Northern Neck of Virginia north and west into Stafford and Fauquier counties. It also includes small sections of Prince William County and the City of Fredericksburg.

The candidates name transportation, controlling growth and curbing illegal immigration as their top issues. They have also said that cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay and keeping teachers' pay competitive are important.

Stuart, 43, said he would support funding any transportation project with tolls. He said he is not opposed to raising the gas tax for transportation, but as long as fuel prices remain high, he would not suggest such a levy. He said that priorities include extending HOV lanes south and building more commuter lots at Virginia Railway Express stations.

"I am agreeable to bringing any solution to the transportation issue," Stuart said. "I would consider a gas tax, but I can't support one when gas is $3 a gallon."

Pollard, 40, a resident of Lancaster County, said the state must re-prioritize its transportation projects as a way of addressing traffic congestion. By going after cheaper, easier projects -- such as building turn lanes on secondary roads -- the state could help relieve traffic while not having to ask taxpayers for more. He said he is opposed to raising taxes for future transportation projects. He also said that savings in state government could help pay for some projects, but he did not offer specifics.

Regarding illegal immigration, Pollard said he wants the state to set up a database containing the fingerprints of illegal immigrants who have been arrested in Virginia. He said employers could then scan the fingerprints of job applicants to see if they matched any in the database. "It would shield them from the liability of hiring criminals and drive away those illegals who present fake papers," Pollard said.

Stuart has gone after Pollard hard on the illegal immigration issue, saying the former delegate has been inconsistent. For instance, he points to Pollard's vote against requiring state agencies to share information with federal agencies to detect illegal immigrants. Pollard said he opposed the measure initially because it didn't give agencies enough time to implement it but voted for it when that aspect was fixed.

Stuart said that local police should be given the authority to detain and deport illegal immigrants. He added that illegal immigrants should be denied bail when awaiting trial for crimes. He also said that business owners who are convicted of hiring illegal immigrants should have their business license revoked.

Stuart, an assistant commonwealth's attorney in Westmoreland, said that the abusive-driver fees should be altered so they apply only to serious offenses, such as driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter. He said they should be eliminated for infractions such as speeding.

Pollard, who voted against early versions of the abuser-fee bill when he was a delegate, said that the law needs to be revoked.