Ralph Northam

“Virginians deserve civility.”

“I am grateful to all those who have joined in our efforts to build a strong and equitable Commonwealth.”

“Committing to work together in a way Washington won't does not mean leaders in Richmond will always agree on every problem or every solution.”

“I learned a lot of lessons growing up on my family's farm on the Eastern Shore: the dignity of hard work, the importance of planning ahead, and the joy you get from serving others. Not to mention how to collect eggs, shear a sheep, and bail hay by hand.”

“We've lost leaders from Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King, Jr. and countless others who have worked to bend the arc of the universe towards justice and equality. Yet, we remain undaunted, dedicated to striving for a fairer, more equal society.”

“As a doctor and father, I often come back to the proverb, 'Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable' - and that's how I plan to serve Virginia as governor, too.”

“For 25 years, I was an assistant professor teaching pediatrics, neurology, pathophysiology, and ethics at my alma mater, Eastern Virginia Medical School. It's been great training for my legislative work - we get in some debates in the classroom that would rival the General Assembly!”

“Mandatory minimums are focused on punishment, not rehabilitation.”

“I grew up on the Eastern Shore with the Chesapeake Bay as my backyard - name a job out on the water, and I've probably had it.”

“Virginia is my home, and I know what it takes to ensure our prosperity - that's why I'll approach economic growth by utilizing the success of our agricultural sector.”

“We will continue to focus our efforts bringing more Virginians into the workforce and supporting families, businesses, and communities with the resources they need to build back stronger.”

“As governor, I'll work to ensure that every Virginian who wants good-paying work has the skills to fill these new collar jobs.”

“It will take leaders at all levels to condemn those who gladly call themselves white supremacist and Nazis. We cannot let them feel empowered. They must know they have no safe harbor here - in our commonwealth or in our country.”

“We live in the best commonwealth, in the best country, in the world.”

“Growing up with a father who was a judge, I heard a lot about justice. But for justice to be applied, punishments need to fit their crimes.”

“I didn't grow up to become a mechanic - but some of my classmates did. And they've been able to build good, middle class lives for themselves and their families.”

“Democrats have been willing to make improvements to the ACA since its inception.”

“Data do not indicate that mandatory minimum sentences keep our communities safer. Instead, mandatory minimums are disproportionately harming people and communities of color.”

“When I served alongside the brave women of our armed forces, who contribute so much to our country despite often facing discrimination on the job, it only strengthened my commitment to fairness and equal pay in the workplace.”

“Early in my career, I served in the Army. I took care of wounded soldiers in Operation Desert Storm, and I saw what weapons of war do to human beings.”