Winsome Sears and Bobby Scott, running for the 3rd District House seat, differ on almost every issue.
Talk about religious beliefs and civil liberties highlighted a political debate Monday in Norfolk as the candidates for the 3rd Congressional District differed on gay marriage.
Republican challenger Winsome E. Sears is seeking to upset Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, D-Newport News, by painting him as out of touch with his constituents on several controversial social issues, including gay marriage.
She told more than 100 people attending the debate, sponsored by the Colonial Place/Riverview Civic League, that she opposed gay marriage based on biblical teachings.
Sears defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman. She said she resents attempts to compare the struggle for civil rights for homosexuals to the struggle for civil rights for blacks.
“I and people who look like me can’t believe our movement is being hijacked, ” Sears said.
Both candidates are black.
Sears is a 40-year-old evangelical Christian who retired from the House of Delegates after one term, saying the Lord had told her not to run again.
“I don’t try to impose my beliefs on anyone else,” Sears said, “but my beliefs are who I am.”
The 3rd District runs along the James River, stretching from parts of Richmond to parts of Norfolk. It includes all or parts of Newport News, Hampton, Surry County, New Kent County and Portsmouth.
Election Day is Nov. 2.
The candidates disagree on nearly every issue.
Sears supports the war in Iraq and Republican-sponsored tax cuts. Scott disagrees. Sears opposes abortion and wants fewer federal restrictions on faith-based groups getting public dollars. Scott disagrees.
“If you want somebody to stand up for your rights,” Scott said, “then you better elect somebody who will stand up for everybody’s rights.”
Scott, a 57-year-old lawyer from Newport News, has held his congressional seat for six terms. He has either run unopposed or easily overwhelmed challengers in past elections.
He’s an Episcopalian and seldom mentions religion when talking about legislation or while campaigning.
Scott said lawmakers should not attempt to impose a particular religious doctrine when drafting laws but should instead try to adhere to fundamental values, like honesty and fairness.
About a week ago, Scott voted against a constitutional amendment that would have outlawed gay marriage. The House vote was 227-186, short of the two-thirds majority needed to approve it.
Scott dismissed the vote as an election-year ploy sponsored by Republicans. Scott has said that states should have the right to decide whether they want to allow gay marriages.
“Everybody ought to have the same civil rights as everybody else,” he said. *
