GOP candidate Lopez wants to debate opponent

Rafael Lopez wants to debate.

And the Rev. Luke Torian may take up the challenge.

Lopez, the GOP candidate for the 52nd District seat in Virginia’s House of Delegates, on Saturday proposed 10 debates with Torian, the Democratic nominee, leading up to the Nov. 3 election.

“I think that it’s important for the people of this district to know where we stand on issues and how we intend to make life better for our residents,” Lopez said at a fundraiser.

Reached after the event, Danny Friedman, Torian’s campaign manager, didn’t respond specifically to the concept of 10 debates.

But, in an e-mail, he said, “As we did in the primary, we will attend events and forums as they are scheduled by the community organizations that host them.”

Speaking at the Tiziano Italian Restaurant & Bar on Va. 234, Lopez said the “centerpiece” of his campaign will be to improve life along U.S. 1, which he called “America’s Main Street.”

“We need a place that feels like Main Street again,” he said, “where people can get a good job locally, where we can feel safe about sending our children to school, where people have different housing options, where you can enjoy the unique stores and services locally along Route One.”

In terms of traveling on roads in the eastern Prince William County district, Lopez said he would support public-private partnerships, such as high-occupancy toll lanes, and work to ensure money that should be spent on roads isn’t allocated for other uses.

On education, the former Dumfries town councilman said he wants to see teacher salaries increased and more money spent on early-childhood and higher education.

He also said he would curb “wasteful” spending in the realms of education and transportation.

And on public safety, Lopez said he supports tougher penalties for criminals, protection of gun rights and maintaining necessary resources for law enforcement.

Lopez became the sole Republican in the 52nd District race after Amy Frederick, wife of incumbent Del. Jeff Frederick, decided not to seek the nomination.

Del. Frederick had already said he would not seek re-election if elected chairman of the Virginia GOP. And he did win that post last year, though he was ousted from it in April.

Before Saturday’s fundraiser officially began, Lopez said he “would have loved” to have competed with Amy Frederick for the nomination.
“She was a worthy opponent,” he said.

Lopez also said he’s not concerned about facing Torian, pastor of First Mount Zion Baptist Church, which sits less than a mile from the eatery where he appeared.
Del. Frederick, impressed with Torian’s views on social issues, initially hoped the preacher would run as a Republican.

But Lopez said 52nd District voters aren’t focused on social issues.

“The people are worried about bread-and-butter issues,” he said.

Lyle Beefelt, chairman of the Prince William County Republican Committee, also took a playful jab at Torian in encouraging Saturday’s crowd of more than 30 to support Lopez.

“We know that he can preach the same thing on Sunday as he does on Monday,” Beefelt said.

Staff writer Jonathan Hunley can be reached at 703-369-5738.