Hamilton, Abbott prepare for election

NEWPORT NEWS, Va - The 93rd District on the Peninsula is heating up in the last days before the election.

Republican Delegate Phil Hamilton has represented the district covering parts of Newport News and James City County for 20 years.

"What we've been talking about is my experience and my accomplishments," Hamilton told WAVY.com Friday.

More than a decade has passed since anyone's challenge that experience on the ballot, until now.

Attorney Robin Abbott has lived in Newport News for more than 20 years. She told WAVY.com, "I wanted people to have a choice. For 13 years nobody has run against Phil Hamilton." For the challenger representing the Democratic Party, November 3rd is an opportunity to replace Hamilton.

Hamilton could be seen as vulnerable. As WAVY.com has reported, he's at the center of ongoing federal and House of Delegates ethics investigations. With Hamilton's position on the House Appropriations Committee, he secured half a million dollars for a teaching center at Old Dominion University. Hamilton secured a $40,000 a year position with the center. The first public announcement about the private ethics panel's work may not come before the end of December. However, most candidates for statewide office (the only exception Republican Attorney General Candidate Ken Cuccinelli) called for Hamilton to resign from office.

The incumbent has not stepped aside. Hamilton said, "I've stood up, I've acknowledged the situation is there, I'm not blaming anybody. I've apologized. And we moved on."

The Abbott campaign made the investigations the focus of a political advertisement. Abbott explained, "We want to make certain the people of this district are apprised of all circumstances surrounding this race. It's a major issue." She added that while knocking on doors, people have told her they're concerned and saddened by the situation.

But what about the other issues impacting voters in the 93rd? Are the candidates thinking of those issues? Hamilton said when he meets with voters they discuss jobs, health insurance, and taxes. He said of his opponent, "Her whole campaign has not been about public policy. It's been attack Phil Hamilton."

WAVY.com asked Abbott about getting the message about herself to voters. How would they know what she stands for? Abbott replied, "I think I have knocked on doors every night since April first. The people of this district have met me over, and over again. And the people of this district know who I am."

Abbott called herself a fighter, willing to battle in the General Assembly for consumers' rights and military families. Both candidates acknowledged transportation will be on voters' minds as they head to the polls. Both say it's possible make new starts on a roads package when the legislature reconvenes. They differ on how to pay for transportation solutions.

"I'm not opposed to tolls as long as there is another route to travel so people have the choice. With regard to user fees and taxes, we need to look at this comprehensively. We need to look at every option that's available to us," Abbott said. She said while lawmakers have talked about making roads a priority, little has been done in the last 20 years.

Hamilton said he believes certain options are not viable, but leaders should accomplish the things they agree on. He said, "I think there are some possibilities, I've been a supporter of tolls. ...We've seen a decrease in gas tax revenues because of fuel efficiency improvements. That's not the source we ought to depend on for solving our transportation problems."

Abbott and Hamilton told WAVY.com they'll keep working through the weekend to greet as many voters as possible.