SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

NEGATIVE ATTACKS BY SADDAM SALIM

RESPONSE BY SENATOR PETERSEN

(MAY 25, 2023)

Dear Fairfax voter:

Over the last few weeks, you may have received attack ads from my opponent Saddam Salim, who is a newcomer with no public or professional history.

Please note that all these bills and my voting record can be reviewed at leg1.state.va.us. I invite you to see for yourself.

Otherwise, here are the “votes” alleged against me and the actual facts –

HB 961 (2020):  Assault weapons ban.  The attack ads say I voted against the “assault weapons ban.” That is partly true but leaves out a key detail. The bill in 2020 criminalized the possession of certain weapons, even if they had been legally purchased (note: there are 50,000 Virginians owning “assault weapons” but only 15,000 beds in our prison system). That bill was plainly unconstitutional and the Democratic committee voted to defer it. In 2023, the Senate did pass legislation (SB 1382) to specifically ban the sale of AR-15’s in Virginia. I voted for it and expect we can pass that law with a Democratic house.

SB 481 (2020):  Paid family medical leave.  The attack ads say I “killed” this bill but the record shows that I voted for it when it was first proposed on February 11, 2020.  When it came back from the House, I objected to including “part-time” workers in the mandatory leave provision, which would have been devastating for small business. The “part-time benefits” concept was rejected by the entire Democratic State Senate – it was passed by without a vote on the last day of session (March 12, 2022).

HB 969 (2020):  LGBTQIA rights. This attack ads accuses me of voting against non-discrimination and cite this bill. It’s a joke. If you review the bill on LIS, HB 969 refers to “Electric Utility Regulation: initial triennial review.”  That has nothing to do with gay rights. I have voted for multiple bills ensuring non-discrimination for the LGBTIA community, including the Virginia Values Act (SB 868) which passed in 2020, as well as 2020 legislation to enshrine gay marriage in the Virginia Code (SB 17). In 2022, I voted for Senator Ebbin’s amendment to Virginia’s Constitution to protect gay marriage (SJ 5).

(No Bill cited): Marijuana Legalization. In 2020, the General Assembly passed SB 2 which decriminalized marijuana. I voted YES. The next year (2021), we considered multiple pieces of legislation to set up a private market for marijuana. I had concerns with the legislation which effectively created a “Wild West” for unregulated marijuana products. My strong preference was that marijuana be sold through Virginia ABC which already has a structure in place to regulate and tax products and prevent underage sales. Because that problem was not solved, I voted “no” on the final bill. This is unfinished business.

Lawsuit to End Shutdowns (2020). In June 2020, I filed a lawsuit against the Governor on the grounds that his Executive Order shutting down businesses indefinitely was a violation of the Virginia and U.S. Constitution. My lawsuit was specifically based upon the fact that the Legislature was “in session” and therefore could act in any emergency. In response to my lawsuit, the Governor allowed retail businesses to reopen in June 2020, thereby making my lawsuit moot. Ending the “shutdown” saved thousands of small businesses that otherwise would have died in the summer of 2020. I was honored to be recognized that year as the “Lawmaker of the Year” by the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Hotel Association, which was the biggest beneficiary of my actions.

The last four years have seen dramatic changes in the Commonwealth. Nobody could have predicted in advance what would happen. Regardless, I’m happy to share my record and the choices that I made. Let the people decide.

(MAY 24, 2023)

Dear Voter:

You may have received attack ads by political newcomer Saddam Salim against Democratic Senator Chap Petersen.  You can view the actual votes and the true facts at www.straight-record.com.

Senator Chap Petersen is a senior member of the Democratic Caucus and a key part of the “Blue Wall.”  He is endorsed by every member of the Democratic Caucus, who work with him every day.

As a State Senator, Chap Petersen has cast critical votes to:

  • Protect reproductive rights.
  • Enhance K-12 education funding. 
  • Expand voting rights for all citizens.
  • End criminal penalties for marijuana.
  • End the death penalty in Virginia.
  • Enact the Equal Rights Amendment.

In 2021, Senator Petersen worked hard to reopen schools and end “shutdown” policies – a position opposed by some fellow Democrats.   Those same Senators now support his re-election.

Footnotes:

  1. “A” Rating, Repro Rising Scorecard (2023)
  2. SB 1 (2022 enacted budget) containing 10% pay increase for teachers and staff
  3. SB 65 and SJ 8 (2020)
  4. SB 2 (2020)
  5. SB 1165 (2021)
  6. SJ 1 (2020)

(APRIL 28, 2023)

Dear Fairfax voter:

Over the last few weeks, you may have received attack ads from my opponent Saddam Salim, who is a newcomer with no record in public office.   

Here are the “votes” that are referenced and the actual facts –

HB 961 (2020):  Assault weapons ban.  The attack ads say I voted against the “assault weapons ban.”  That is partly true but leaves out a key detail.  The bill in 2020 criminalized the possession of certain weapons, even if they had been legally purchased (note:  there are 50,000 Virginians owning “assault weapons” but only 15,000 beds in our prison system).  That bill was plainly unconstitutional, and the Democratic committee voted to defer it.  In 2023, the Senate did pass legislation (SB 1382) to specifically ban the sale of AR-15’s in Virginia.  I voted for it and expected we can pass that law with a Democratic house. 

SB 481 (2020):  Paid family medical leave.  The attack ads say I “killed” this bill but the record shows that I voted for it when it was first proposed on February 11, 2020.  When it came back from the House, I objected to including “part-time” workers in the mandatory leave provision, which would have been devastating for small businesses.  The “part-time benefits” concept was rejected by the entire Democratic State Senate – it was passed by without a vote on the last day of session (March 12, 2022).   

SB 415 (2016):  Marriage age.  The attack ad stated that I favor marriages for 13-year-olds.  That is obviously false.  The legislation at issue was a bill which raised the age of marriage from 16 to 18. I voted against it since it took away the ability of young women (who might be pregnant) to get married at their sole discretion. 

HB 969 (2020):  This attack ad accuses me of voting against non-discrimination.  The bill citation appears to be a typo, it has to do with electricity regulation.  Regardless, I have voted for bills ensuring non-discrimination for the LGBTIA community, including the Virginia Values Act (SB 868) which passed in 2020, as well as 2020 legislation to enshrine gay marriage in the Virginia Code (SB 17).  In 2022, I voted for Senator Ebbin’s amendment to Virginia’s Constitution to codify gay marriage (SJ 5). 

I’ve gone through these details to indicate that these are fabricated “issues.”