LEGAL/POLITICS/SANCTUARY CITIES: “The candidates for governor of Virginia this fall are battling over the question of ‘sanctuary cities,’ and Democrats fear it will become a new cudgel to be used against them in next year’s mid-term elections, especially if they lose in Virginia.
Republican Ed Gillespie has pressed the matter in TV ads, debates and on the trail, drawing a connection between crime and sanctuary-city policies, which generally involve resistance to immigration enforcement. In one TV ad, Mr. Gillespie ties his Democratic opponent to a notorious gang…
The ad is referring to a Virginia bill that aimed to prevent local jurisdictions from adopting various sanctuary policies. The bill never became law.
The Northam campaign replied, in its own TV ads, by calling the GOP ads ‘despicable’ and ‘not true’ and touting Mr. Northam’s own record. A campaign official said the attacks are backfiring on Mr. Gillespie because they are so ‘over the top’ and false.
Still, even Democrats who strongly support sanctuary policies worry their candidates will be unable to defend themselves against Republican accusations that they are protecting criminals.”
-Laura Meckler, “Debate Over Sanctuary Cities Gets a Test Run in Virginia Governor’s Race,” The Wall Street Journal online, Oct. 29, 2017 07:00am