Ralph's campaign website highlights the following issues:

Concealed carry
Ralph cast a tie-breaking vote as lieutenant governor to block legislation that would’ve allowed Virginians to carry concealed weapons without permits. In the state senate, he fought legislation to allow people to bring guns into bars and other places where alcohol was served because he knows that guns and alcohol are a deadly combination. Ralph also voted to ban concealed carry privileges for those convicted of driving under the influence or public intoxication in other states.
Background checks
In his first weeks in the Virginia senate, Ralph met Virginia Tech survivors who came to Richmond to advocate for commonsense gun safety reform, and he has been partners with them ever since. He proudly voted to close the Gun Show Loophole and to keep the One-Handgun-A-Month limit. Ralph will continue fighting to close the Gun Show Loophole and has promised to reinstate the commonwealth's successful One-Handgun-A-Month policy if elected governor, limiting the number of handguns an individual can purchase.
Mental health
Ralph supports increasing access to mental healthcare to keep guns out of the hands of those who are severely mentally ill and knows that expanding Medicaid would be a great step forward. Ralph voted to enhance the background check system after the Virginia Tech tragedy and voted to revoke concealed carry permits for those who are deemed by a judge as legally incompetent, mentally incapacitated, or who are involuntarily committed.
Assault weapons
As an Army doctor during the First Gulf War, Ralph saw what assault weapons do to the human body. As a doctor, he’s held dying children in his arms, victims of gun violence. He knows we cannot afford any more Virginia Techs or Newtowns. We have to act now with universal background checks, an assault weapons ban and smaller clips.

Equal pay
To ensure economic opportunity for everyone – no matter who you are, no matter where you live, a level playing field must exist between men and women. Ralph Northam is committed to making this a reality in Virginia because what’s good for women is good for our entire commonwealth.
Ensuring that women are paid the same as men is a moral and economic imperative. Currently, women are paid 78 cents on the dollar compared to men, yet they are the primary breadwinners in 38 percent of Virginia families. As governor, Ralph will fight for a law to make salary information more transparent, so women can fight discriminatory pay practices when they occur, rather than after the fact. It's 2017 and well past time we got this done.
Childcare
Childcare is a huge burden on families, and those that cannot afford it are being left behind. If one family has the means to send their child to pre-K and another does not, that begins the divide between the “haves” and the “have nots” in our communities. Ralph will continue efforts to make childcare more affordable. This would go a long way towards reducing inequality through quality education and affordable childcare, bringing enormous long-term benefits to the commonwealth through increased consumer spending, a more skilled workforce, and higher wage growth.
The private sector is making the connection between a healthy workforce and access to early childhood education, health screenings, and school nutrition. As governor, Ralph will work with it to increase access for all of Virginia’s children.
Paid Family Leave
Paid family leave reduces infant mortality and increases the number of well-baby care visits and vaccinations. Economically, it reduces turnover and training costs for businesses, and women see faster wage increases when they go back to work and stay with the same employer. Overall, the economy will see fewer families on public assistance and more people working, which will produce economic gains and generate a larger tax base.
Paid family leave is a crucial component of fighting inequality. Low-income workers are both less likely to receive paid leave and less likely to know it is an option. Even if they do have family leave options, it is often unpaid, and few low-wage workers can give up a paycheck to take advantage of it.
Both Republicans and Democrats understand paid family leave is an integral part of bringing fairness back to our economy. We can make this a reality by providing businesses incentives to offer paid family leave to their employees. This will help Virginia businesses compete for top talent and maintain the talented workforce we have in Virginia.
We can start by offering a tax credit to make it affordable for small businesses to allow full-time employees to take at least eight workweeks of paid parental leave.
Cut college costs
Too many Virginia students still can't afford to attend our public colleges and universities. We need to ensure that any qualified Virginia student can access these institutions. Students should not have to shoulder the burden of large tuition increases, and every student should have an option to go without oppressive debt.
Invest in STEAM and expand computer science
Virginia is home to the technology corridor in northern Virginia, multiple NASA sites, and emerging markets such as cybersecurity and unmanned aerial systems. That means we’re in a unique position to significantly expand STEAM curriculum and the number of students taking computer science, coding, and advanced placement courses. However, minorities continue to be underrepresented in taking AP computer science. Through private sector and nonprofit partnerships and working with the General Assembly, a Northam administration will set aggressive goals for students in K-12 completing computer science courses.
Expand access to apprenticeships and training
Not every Virginian wants—or needs—to attend a four year college or university, but every Virginian should have the opportunity to gain further education or training. That means encouraging participation in industry certification programs, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs, and other advanced training. Ralph is committed to working with both businesses and community colleges to ensure there is a local training option for every available job. He also believes the final two years of high school should provide apprenticeships and job training for students who do not want to attend a four year college.
Build a school-to-work pipeline
Ralph believes our education system must create a pipeline from high school to community college, higher education, or a good paying job. Not only would this encourage students to stay in school and graduate, but it would also encourage employers to locate in Virginia, a commonwealth with good schools and a skilled workforce waiting for them. To build this pipeline, we need to completely rethink the high school experience and ensure that all students are prepared to enter the workforce with the skills they need to be successful. A Northam administration will continue to support high school redesign efforts started under Gov. McAuliffe, and coupled with programs like Dr. Northam's proposed G3 Program (Get a Job — Get Skilled — Give Back), Virginia's students will have the resources they need to be prepared for the jobs of the 21st century.
Balance the budget
Ralph knows that businesses are attracted to well-governed states. He was in the Virginia Senate when the Great Recession hit, and he voted to cut spending by $4.6 billion to keep our budget balanced. He also supported tax relief for Virginia homeowners. Governors of both parties have conducted government efficiency reviews, and Ralph supports another complete audit of state operations because taxpayers deserve to know their money is being spent wisely.
Protect LGBT equality
Hate isn't a Virginia value. Ralph will be a brick wall against the discrimination of the Trump Administration. Ralph knows every person deserves to be treated equally—no matter who they are or who they love. Unfortunately, Republicans too often disagree. Ralph has a long history of standing up for LGBT Virginians, from opposing bathroom bills that discriminate against transgender people, to fighting to protect LGBT people from workplace and adoption discrimination. Not only is protecting LGBT equality the right thing to do, building an inclusive, fair Virginia is good for business.
Women's health
Donald Trump has made his first priority as president to roll back women's access to reproductive healthcare and to take us back to the days before Roe v. Wade. Ralph is committed to fighting for Virginia women, especially their right to quality, affordable healthcare. As a physician, Ralph believes women’s healthcare choices are personal and best left between a woman and her doctor—not politicians in Richmond or Washington, DC. Ralph will fight for women so they can decide when to start a family, and he is an advocate for expanding access to long-acting reversible contraceptives like IUDs, as well as protecting a woman's right to safe, legal abortion. As a state senator, Ralph led the fight against the invasive transvaginal ultrasound mandate and opposed legislation that would limit access to women's health clinics. Ralph is proud to have a 100 percent rating from Planned Parenthood.
In just the first 50 days of holding office, the Trump administration reinstated the Global Gag Rule. He is continuing the Republican effort to defund Planned Parenthood by barring their ability to receive federal Medicaid reimbursements, the majority of the organization’s federal funding. Make no mistake — this is an attack on a woman’s ability to choose her provider and have access to quality, affordable healthcare.
When Republicans proposed banning abortion coverage in health insurance plans sold through our healthcare exchange, Ralph called the proposal out for what it was: a move to decrease women's access to reproductive healthcare. When he is governor, Ralph will fight to overturn that amendment and any others like it.
Ralph fought against personhood legislation that would have effectively blocked women from accessing many types of contraception and invitro fertilization. Ralph has never wavered on choice and he never will. That’s why Ralph received a joint endorsement from both NARAL Pro-Choice America and NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia and carries a 100% rating with NARAL and Planned Parenthood. Ralph will continue to be a brick wall, stopping attacks on reproductive rights and access to healthcare.
Expanding Access To Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)
This year, Ralph proposed a $6 million pilot program to provide long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) to women regardless of their ability to pay. A similar program in Colorado saw teen birth rates drop by 40 percent and teen abortions by 42 percent.
This legislative session, Republicans stripped the funding at the request of right-wing anti-abortion groups despite the fact it used no state funding. As governor, Ralph will make implementing this program, and increasing access to it if we experience similar success to Colorado, a priority. Through public and private sources, we can expand access to LARCs to ensure that income is not a barrier for Virginia women seeking affordable contraception.
Attracting, retaining, and supporting teachers
Teacher pay in Virginia is now well below the national average, and we're losing good teachers because of it. This is contributing to inequality in our education system, as rural and less affluent school districts cannot afford to supplement state funding. Ralph will work with Democrats and Republicans alike to attack inequality in education by raising pay for teacher—a bipartisan priority in Richmond.
To have the best education system in the country, we also have to recruit and retain the best teachers. That includes regular professional development and training so they can continue to build their skills. As of October 2016, there were 800 classrooms across Virginia without a full-time teacher — this is unacceptable, and we have to do better.
Too often, Richmond is making policy decisions without teachers' input. Through the State Board of Education and the Department of Education, a Northam administration will make sure that teachers are a valuable part of the education policy making process.
Rural Virginia
Ralph grew up in rural Virginia and is an avid outdoorsman, gun owner, hunter, and sports shooter from his days growing up in Accomack, attending VMI, and serving in the military. He knows rural Virginians are hard workers—and that we can do much more to bring good jobs to rural Virginia. Ralph will bring broadband internet to every Virginia community. He'll fight for teacher pay raises and fair funding for rural public schools, and when Governor Northam is recruiting jobs, rural Virginia will be first on his mind and in his heart.

Women's health
Donald Trump has made his first priority as president to roll back women's access to reproductive healthcare and to take us back to the days before Roe v. Wade. Ralph is committed to fighting for Virginia women, especially their right to quality, affordable healthcare. As a physician, Ralph believes women's healthcare choices are personal and best left between a woman and her doctor—not politicians in Richmond or Washington, DC. Ralph will fight for women so they can decide when to start a family, and he is an advocate for expanding access to long-acting reversible contraceptives like IUDs, as well as protecting a woman's right to safe, legal abortion. As a state senator, Ralph led the fight against the invasive transvaginal ultrasound mandate and opposed legislation that would limit access to women's health clinics. Ralph is proud to have a 100 percent rating from Planned Parenthood.
In just the first 50 days of holding office, the Trump administration reinstated the Global Gag Rule. He is continuing the Republican effort to defund Planned Parenthood by barring their ability to receive federal Medicaid reimbursements, the majority of the organization's federal funding. Make no mistake — this is an attack on a woman's ability to choose her provider and have access to quality, affordable healthcare.
When Republicans proposed banning abortion coverage in health insurance plans sold through our healthcare exchange, Ralph called the proposal out for what it was: a move to decrease women's access to reproductive healthcare. When he is governor, Ralph will fight to overturn that amendment and any others like it.
Ralph fought against personhood legislation that would have effectively blocked women from accessing many types of contraception and invitro fertilization. Ralph has never wavered on choice and he never will. That's why Ralph received a joint endorsement from both NARAL Pro-Choice America and NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia and carries a 100% rating with NARAL and Planned Parenthood. Ralph will continue to be a brick wall, stopping attacks on reproductive rights and access to healthcare.
Expanding Access To Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)
This year, Ralph proposed a $6 million pilot program to provide long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) to women regardless of their ability to pay. A similar program in Colorado saw teen birth rates drop by 40 percent and teen abortions by 42 percent.
This legislative session, Republicans stripped the funding at the request of right-wing anti-abortion groups despite the fact it used no state funding. As governor, Ralph will make implementing this program, and increasing access to it if we experience similar success to Colorado, a priority. Through public and private sources, we can expand access to LARCs to ensure that income is not a barrier for Virginia women seeking affordable contraception.
Concussions
Ralph passed legislation to establish firm guidelines for dealing with concussions incurred playing sports in Virginia schools. As a pediatric neurologist, Ralph knew the brains of growing adolescents are even more susceptible to long-term consequences from multiple concussions.
Smoking ban
Against long odds and powerful special interests, Ralph authored the smoking ban in restaurants because it would improve Virginia's economy and public health. When he first tried in 2008, the bill was defeated and the headwinds were too strong. In 2009, he came right back and introduced it again. Reaching across the aisle, he passed the smoking ban and Governor Kaine signed it into law. Today, cancer deaths are down in Virginia and below the national average.
Climate change
Whether or not politicians care to admit it, climate change is real, and Ralph has been fighting to address its effects for years. As a state senator, Ralph brought legislation to create a coastal flooding working group to study how Virginia's coastal communities can prepare for the effects of climate change. Today, Ralph serves on the Governor's climate change commission, which is tasked with recommending ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Ralph is committed to fighting air pollution to benefit our natural resources, but also, as a pediatrician, to protect public health against the respiratory illnesses and chronic lung conditions, like childhood asthma, that are exacerbated by air pollution.
Addiction and substance abuse
In the 1980s, Virginia and our country were facing a public health crisis—the crack epidemic. Unfortunately, instead of caring for those suffering from addiction, our nation placed blame on its victims. We can't repeat that mistake. Currently, three Virginians are dying each day from accidental overdose, and in 2016, 1,133 Virginians died from opioid overdoses. During his tenure as lieutenant governor, Virginia increased access to naloxone, the drug needed to counter the effects of opioid overdose. Ralph believes we must continue to expand access to new substance abuse treatment options and drug courts. Ralph will use his medical expertise to lead on addiction and substance abuse.

Jobs for veterans
In the past year, under Governor McAuliffe and Lt. Governor Northam, Virginia has doubled the number of veterans placed in jobs through the Virginia Values Veterans program. Ralph also supported legislation to establish a program to connect returning military medics to private sector healthcare jobs. Previously, these men and women would go unemployed because their medical experience was not recognized in civilian society, while employers left jobs unfilled, especially EMT positions. As an Army doctor, Ralph knows medics are highly qualified for such positions, having training and field experience with a variety of traumatic wounds. Ralph will continue to grow these programs until there is no longer any veteran joblessness in Virginia, just as veteran homelessness has been eradicated.
Veteran healthcare
Ralph treated veterans through the VA and is appalled at the national scandal in the federal department. Unlike President Trump, Ralph knows we must uphold our commitment to ensuring veterans have timely access to quality healthcare. As a member of the current administration, Ralph participated in the governor's Summit on Veterans Health Care, which led to Virginia becoming the first state to develop provider agreements between the VA and community health centers to give veterans greater access to healthcare facilities of their choice, in their communities. Ralph also supported plans to build new veterans care centers in Fauquier County and Virginia Beach. Ralph will use his position as governor to be a leader in pushing Washington to reform the VA so that every veteran receives the medical care they need, when they need it.

A quality education for all Virginia students
Our kids deserve to go to schools where they feel safe and get the highest quality education. We can't allow the Trump Administration to destroy the success of Virginia’s public schools, public universities, or community college system. Ralph will fight to defend our public schools and will support classroom innovation to develop new methods of teaching our kids the skills they need for a 21st century economy.
As a member of the Children's Cabinet, Dr. Northam and the McAuliffe administration are helping our most challenged schools combat chronic absenteeism and poor academic performance — but there's still work to do. The commonwealth of Virginia spends, on average, $80 million per year to remediate students in kindergarten through third grade. We need to reevaluate how we test our youngest students and ensure we're putting them on track for success at the beginning of their academic careers. A big part of addressing this issue is making sure quality pre-K is available to all young Virginians — though it also involves challenging conventional methods of student assessments and alternatives to having students repeat grades at early ages.
As Virginia implements a new accountability framework and accreditation system, Ralph will work with the Board of Education, the Department of Education, local divisions and education stakeholders to successfully implement a rigorous system that drives continuous improvement and holds schools and divisions accountable for a variety of student outcomes.
Early childhood education
Ralph is a parent, as well as a pediatrician. So he knows good childcare and early education is vital to kids' success. Children experience their most significant brain development during their early childhood years, with the most learning potential before age five. That's why Ralph wants to make early childhood education for every Virginia public school student his top educational priority—and he's already started. As Chair of the Commonwealth Council on Childhood Success, he led an effort to open up and improve classrooms for up to 13,000 more kids.
Attracting, retaining, and supporting teachers
Teacher pay in Virginia is now well below the national average, and we're losing good teachers because of it. This is contributing to inequality in our education system, as rural and less affluent school districts cannot afford to supplement state funding. Ralph will work with Democrats and Republicans alike to attack inequality in education by raising pay for teacher—a bipartisan priority in Richmond.
To have the best education system in the country, we also have to recruit and retain the best teachers. That includes regular professional development and training so they can continue to build their skills. As of October 2016, there were 800 classrooms across Virginia without a full-time teacher — this is unacceptable, and we have to do better.
Too often, Richmond is making policy decisions without teachers' input. Through the State Board of Education and the Department of Education, a Northam administration will make sure that teachers are a valuable part of the education policy making process.
Revise standards of learning (SOLs)
Standardized testing has always played a role in our schools. However, by placing too much emphasis on them, we have done so at the expense of other measurements of success. We need to teach our children to think creatively, not teach them to take multiple choice tests. The jobs of the future require more than teaching to the test. They require an ability to analyze new problems and think of creative solutions. Our SOLs should match the new economy.
Invest in STEAM and expand computer science
Virginia is home to the technology corridor in northern Virginia, multiple NASA sites, and emerging markets such as cybersecurity and unmanned aerial systems. That means we’re in a unique position to significantly expand STEAM curriculum and the number of students taking computer science, coding, and advanced placement courses. However, minorities continue to be underrepresented in taking AP computer science. Through private sector and nonprofit partnerships and working with the General Assembly, a Northam administration will set aggressive goals for students in K-12 completing computer science courses.
Cut college costs
Too many Virginia students still can't afford to attend our public colleges and universities. We need to ensure that any qualified Virginia student can access these institutions. Students should not have to shoulder the burden of large tuition increases, and every student should have an option to go without oppressive debt.
Expand access to apprenticeships and training
Not every Virginian wants—or needs—to attend a four year college or university, but every Virginian should have the opportunity to gain further education or training. That means encouraging participation in industry certification programs, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs, and other advanced training. Ralph is committed to working with both businesses and community colleges to ensure there is a local training option for every available job. He also believes the final two years of high school should provide apprenticeships and job training for students who do not want to attend a four year college.
Break the school-to-prison pipeline
A 2015 report shows that Virginia leads the nation in referring students to law enforcement. This disproportionately affects students of color. We must invest in more school counselors and more funding for proven and proactive intervention strategies like Positive Behavior Intervention Services (PBIS). The statistics are sobering. More African American students are expelled and suspended, and it's hurting our communities. Ralph supports Congressman McEachin's effort to investigate these disparities. Keeping students in school and on track to graduate is good for everyone.
Build a school-to-work pipeline
Ralph believes our education system must create a pipeline from high school to community college, higher education, or a good paying job. Not only would this encourage students to stay in school and graduate, but it would also encourage employers to locate in Virginia, a commonwealth with good schools and a skilled workforce waiting for them.
To build this pipeline, we need to completely rethink the high school experience and ensure that all students are prepared to enter the workforce with the skills they need to be successful. A Northam administration will continue to support high school redesign efforts started under Gov. McAuliffe, and coupled with programs like Dr. Northam's proposed G3 Program (Get a Job — Get Skilled — Give Back), Virginia's students will have the resources they need to be prepared for the jobs of the 21st century.

Climate change
Whether or not politicians care to admit it, climate change is real, and Ralph has been fighting to address its effects for years. As a state senator, Ralph brought legislation to create a coastal flooding working group to study how Virginia's coastal communities can prepare for the effects of climate change. Today, Ralph serves on the Governor's climate change commission, which is tasked with recommending ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and as governor, he'll ensure Virginia meets the standards put forth in the Clean Power Plan. To pick up slack created by the Trump administration's EPA budget cuts, Ralph will build a Virginia “Conservation Cabinet” led by the secretary of natural resources.
Protecting the Chesapeake Bay and clean water
Virginia needs a champion to defend the Chesapeake Bay from the Trump Administration's threats to the agencies that protect it. Ralph is a strong advocate for the Chesapeake Bay, and led the charge to protect the bay from non-native oysters, as well as to ban the winter dredging of blue crabs. As a state senator, Ralph carried legislation to remove phosphorus from home fertilizers in order to reduce chemical runoff into the bay. He's also supported efforts to provide state funding for oyster restoration. Ralph has long opposed offshore drilling in Virginia, and in 2016, helped lead the resistance to Virginia's involvement in federal oil and gas exploration off the Atlantic coast. Ralph will allow localities to regulate or oppose fracking and will ensure a thorough permitting process for the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley Pipeline as permitted under state and federal law. Ralph opposes lifting the 35 year ban on uranium mining and will stick with Virginia's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) pollution diet, and increase oyster, wetland, and shoreline restoration projects.
Renewable energy production
Ralph believes in prioritizing clean energy innovation. In the state senate, Ralph held electric companies accountable by voting for policies that, if passed, would have cracked down on utilities profiting on renewable energy incentives by purchasing credits for power generated outside Virginia instead of investing in the commonwealth. He also voted in favor of solar power and wind energy legislation, diversifying Virginia's energy economy and reducing the state's carbon footprint. Ralph will remove barriers to the development and use of clean energy by encouraging competition and energy choice while making it easier to decentralize generation and build an electric and clean vehicle infrastructure.
Environmental justice
Air pollution threatens public health across the Commonwealth and is exacerbating respiratory illnesses and chronic lung conditions, like childhood asthma, and allergies. As a member of the Governor's Climate Change and Resiliency Update Commission, Ralph developed recommendations for how Virginia can reduce its carbon footprint, which will help relieve the 700,000 Virginians suffering from asthma and other chronic lung diseases. The highest concentration of those suffering are in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads—also the areas in Virginia with the highest concentration of minority communities. People in those communities are also often those living without adequate health care, creating a vicious cycle of illness and costly medical treatments. As governor, Ralph will continue his work fighting air pollution and its health effects and will give local communities a bigger role in local permitting by forming an environmental justice task force to address environmental threats in vulnerable communities, particularly in the areas of urban air quality, energy infrastructure siting, and drinking water.

Criminal justice reform
For too long, Virginia's treated white people by one set of standards and people of color by another. We've made a lot of progress to close the gap, but we've still got a lot of work to do. Equal protection under the law is a right that should be shared by all. We must change sentencing laws that disproportionately hurt people of color and practices that lead to systematic inequality–especially at the intersection of race and income. Ralph will do this by reforming drug laws that do long-term damage to communities of color. He will do away with the practice of suspending a driver's license simply because a person can't afford to pay court costs. By taking away an individual's transportation, you take away their ability to pay the fine and entrap them in a never-ending cycle of fines and fees. Ralph will also continue to fight for the restoration of rights, because, in a democracy, we should be encouraging more people to vote, not less.
Addiction and substance abuse
In the 1980s, Virginia and our country were facing a public health crisis—the crack epidemic. Unfortunately, instead of caring for those suffering from addiction, our nation placed blame on its victims. We can't repeat that mistake. Currently, three Virginians are dying each day from accidental overdose, and in 2016, more than 800 Virginians died from overdose. During his tenure as lieutenant governor, Virginia increased access to naloxone, the drug needed to counter the effects of opioid overdose. Ralph believes we must continue to expand access to new substance abuse treatment options and drug courts. Ralph will use his medical expertise to lead on addiction and substance abuse.
Fighting gerrymandering and protecting voting rights
Gerrymandering can disproportionately affect communities of color. That's one reason Ralph has been a strong proponent of nonpartisan redistricting reform ever since he entered the Senate, co-sponsoring legislation with the late Senator John Miller to curtail unfair redistricting. As governor, Ralph will be a bulwark against further attempts to make voting more difficult and will fight to ensure redistricting is done fairly. Because in a democracy, we should be encouraging more people to vote, not less.
Fair housing
Ralph knows a house isn't just a place to sleep—it's the place you create a life. For too many Virginians, creating that kind of home is out of reach. On average, minimum wage workers in our commonwealth would need to work 124 hours a week to afford a two bedroom fair market value apartment. From introducing legislation to study ways to develop affordable housing to expanding access to housing choice voucher programs, increasing housing affordability is an issue Ralph's been fighting for for years. Ralph is also concerned with discriminatory housing practices. He supported legislation to expand Virginia's Fair Housing law to include prohibitions on discrimination against the LGBT community and voted to expand access to educational materials about Virginia fair housing law.
Environmental justice
Air pollution threatens public health across the Commonwealth and is exacerbating respiratory illnesses and chronic lung conditions, like childhood asthma, and allergies. As a member of the Governor's Climate Change and Resiliency Update Commission, Ralph developed recommendations for how Virginia can reduce its carbon footprint, which will help relieve the 700,000 Virginians suffering from asthma and other chronic lung diseases. The highest concentration of those suffering are in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads—also the areas in Virginia with the highest concentration of minority communities. People in those communities are also often those living without adequate health care, creating a vicious cycle of illness and costly medical treatments. As governor, Ralph will continue his work fighting air pollution and its health effects.
Immigration
One in 9 Virginians was born outside the United States. We're a community of immigrants, and Ralph believes our strength lies in its diversity. As such, he opposes legislation that would bar individuals from entering the state based on race, religion, or country of origin—legislation like President Trump's Muslim ban. Ralph supports the work of the Virginia Office of Newcomer Services, which helps immigrant and refugee communities gain economic self-sufficiency and social integration.
Women's health
Donald Trump has made his first priority as president to roll back women's access to reproductive healthcare and to take us back to the days before Roe v. Wade. Ralph is committed to fighting for Virginia women, especially their right to quality, affordable healthcare. As a physician, Ralph believes women's healthcare choices are personal and best left between a woman and her doctor—not politicians in Richmond or Washington, DC. Ralph will fight for women so they can decide when to start a family, and he is an advocate for expanding access to long-acting reversible contraceptives like IUDs, as well as protecting a woman's right to safe, legal abortion. As a state senator, Ralph led the fight against the invasive transvaginal ultrasound mandate and opposed legislation that would limit access to women's health clinics. Ralph is proud to have a 100 percent rating from Planned Parenthood.
In just the first 50 days of holding office, the Trump administration reinstated the Global Gag Rule. He is continuing the Republican effort to defund Planned Parenthood by barring their ability to receive federal Medicaid reimbursements, the majority of the organization's federal funding. Make no mistake — this is an attack on a woman's ability to choose her provider and have access to quality, affordable healthcare.
When Republicans proposed banning abortion coverage in health insurance plans sold through our healthcare exchange, Ralph called the proposal out for what it was: a move to decrease women's access to reproductive healthcare. When he is governor, Ralph will fight to overturn that amendment and any others like it.
Ralph fought against personhood legislation that would have effectively blocked women from accessing many types of contraception and invitro fertilization. Ralph has never wavered on choice and he never will. That's why Ralph received a joint endorsement from both NARAL Pro-Choice America and NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia and carries a 100% rating with NARAL and Planned Parenthood. Ralph will continue to be a brick wall, stopping attacks on reproductive rights and access to healthcare.
Expanding Access To Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)
This year, Ralph proposed a $6 million pilot program to provide long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) to women regardless of their ability to pay. A similar program in Colorado saw teen birth rates drop by 40 percent and teen abortions by 42 percent.
This legislative session, Republicans stripped the funding at the request of right-wing anti-abortion groups despite the fact it used no state funding. As governor, Ralph will make implementing this program, and increasing access to it if we experience similar success to Colorado, a priority. Through public and private sources, we can expand access to LARCs to ensure that income is not a barrier for Virginia women seeking affordable contraception.
Protect LGBT equality
Hate isn't a Virginia value. Ralph will be a brick wall against the discrimination of the Trump Administration. Ralph knows every person deserves to be treated equally—no matter who they are or who they love. Unfortunately, Republicans too often disagree. Ralph has a long history of standing up for LGBT Virginians, from opposing bathroom bills that discriminate against transgender people, to fighting to protect LGBT people from workplace and adoption discrimination. Not only is protecting LGBT equality the right thing to do, building an inclusive, fair Virginia is good for business.
Domestic Violence Prevention
Virginia has made progress towards ending domestic violence, but we need to do more. The toll on the victims of domestic violence is immeasurable. And all too often, the emotional and mental effects on children who witness abuse are not mentioned as a consequence. However, this can be almost as devastating as children who are the victims of direct abuse.
Other states, including Mississippi and South Carolina, have passed laws to increase penalties on domestic abuse committed in front of a child, and it's time for Virginia to do the same. Domestic abusers should pay for the damage they cause, and Virginia should require them to pay for counseling services.

Balance the budget
Ralph knows that businesses are attracted to well-governed states. He was in the Virginia Senate when the Great Recession hit, and he voted to cut spending by $4.6 billion to keep our budget balanced. He also supported tax relief for Virginia homeowners. Governors of both parties have conducted government efficiency reviews, and Ralph supports another complete audit of state operations because taxpayers deserve to know their money is being spent wisely.
Build a school-to-work pipeline
Ralph believes our education system must create a pipeline from high school to community college, higher education, or a good paying job. Not only would this encourage students to stay in school and graduate, but it would also encourage employers to locate in Virginia, a commonwealth with good schools and a skilled workforce waiting for them.
To build this pipeline, we need to completely rethink the high school experience and ensure that all students are prepared to enter the workforce with the skills they need to be successful. A Northam administration will continue to support high school redesign efforts started under Gov. McAuliffe, and coupled with programs like Dr. Northam's proposed G3 Program (Get a Job — Get Skilled — Give Back), Virginia's students will have the resources they need to be prepared for the jobs of the 21st century.
Ethics reform
Ralph has fought for transparency and ethics reform in Richmond, supporting the administration's plan to reform the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) by increasing accountability and promoting long term strategic planning in order to continue streamlining economic development across state agencies. That means bringing in new leadership, crafting a new vision, and holding the VEDP to higher standards of accountability. During his time in the senate, Ralph sponsored the Conflict of Interest Act that would have created an independent review board that would investigate accused politicians even after they resign from office.
Longtime supporter of nonpartisan redistricting
During six years in the senate, Ralph repeatedly sponsored redistricting reform so voters could pick their elected officials, not the other way around. As governor, Ralph will revive further ethics reform previously rejected by the legislature, including redrawing legislative and congressional districts by a non-partisan commission instead of the partisan legislature. Serving in the government should be about service, not automatic reelection.
Concussions
Ralph passed legislation to establish firm guidelines for dealing with concussions incurred playing sports in Virginia schools. As a pediatric neurologist, Ralph knew the brains of growing adolescents are even more susceptible to long-term consequences from multiple concussions.
Smoking ban
Against long odds and powerful special interests, Ralph authored the smoking ban in restaurants because it would improve Virginia's economy and public health. When he first tried in 2008, the bill was defeated and the headwinds were too strong. In 2009, he came right back and introduced it again. Reaching across the aisle, he passed the smoking ban and Governor Kaine signed it into law. Today, cancer deaths are down in Virginia and below the national average.