Howell, Forrest Talk Tolls, Abortion Clinics at First Debate

Voters in the 32nd Senate District got a peek at their choices to fill the seat for the next four years at the first debate between and .

Howell (D) and Forrest (R) faced off Tuesday in front of the Arlington County Civic Federation and a public audience at Washington-Lee High School.

After an opening statement, candidates answered four questions from the audience with a one-minute time limit. They ended with a closing statement.

The two candidates maintained the campaign strategies they had been employing heading into the forum, with Forrest calling out a need for fresh voices in the General Assembly and Howell touting her experience.

Forrest again honed in on the prediction the fees on the Dulles Toll Road will increase to $17 to help pay for the Silver Line, and Howell again acknowledged the shortcomings in developing the Silver Line and committed to finding ways to keep the fee from rising to $17.

Forrest accused Howell of "being silent on this issue" and not showing "leadership on this issue," and pledged to use the bully pulpit as senator to bring costs down.

But Howell said working to keep the fee down is something she and her opponent agree on.

"I'm working to get the tolls down, as $17 is not acceptable at all to me either," Howell said after the debate. "I've made it known to state policymakers we have to get funding, and I'm holding Governor McDonnell accountable to do that."

She also said she wants to secure federal support and Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) bonds.

Buck Cram, Forrest's campaign manager, said the Dulles Toll Road issue is one they plan to continue to talk about with constituents because it's an example of how Howell has mishandled two of the issues voters say they care about the most: the economy and transportation.

"It's a jobs issue and a transportation issue," Cram said. "You talk about funding Dulles Rail with a $17 toll and that's all well and good, but do you think that's an effective funding mechanism? ... And if job creators are looking to relocate somewhere, are they going to move to that area? Virginia is the number one place to do business in the country, and we only have down to go on that list. I think a policy like that is going to be a disincentive for businesses."

Forrest also told the audience Howell did not champion issues for Northern Virginia's best interests, instead serving the interests of Richmond lobbyists and voting to send Northern Virginia's money downstate.

When asked in a later interview which interests he believes she has pandered to, Forrest listed the pharmaceutical industry, health care industry, and wealthy developers in Tysons Corner "which is why she hasn't been a leader against the Dulles Toll Road."

"It's simply not true. Lobbyists get the same open-door policy as constituents. All they want is someone who will listen to them, and I listen to them just as I listen to everyone else, but it's not a guarantee I do what they want," Howell said in an interview after the debate, reiterating what she said on the stage.

The candidates also were asked about their opinions on , as passed in the General Assembly this year. Forrest said imposing hospital standards was a matter of safety for women who are seeking an abortion, while Howell stayed true to her 'no' vote on the legislation last session by decrying it as a ploy to put abortion clinics out of business.

"This is an issue of health, and this is an issue of keeping people safe. Anytime you have a procedure where someone is put under anaesthesia, I do think a doctor should be present," said Forrest, who is pro-life, except in cases of rape, incest and the well-being of the mother.

Howell, who is pro-choice, described how she remembers what it was like before 1973, when women could not seek out legal, safe abortions.

"[These regulations] have nothing to do with the safety of women. There's no problem with our abortion clinics," she said. "The only people who are trying to impose these regulations are the people who are opposed to a woman's right to choose an abortion."

One issue did have Forrest and Howell in agreement: the Virginia Housing Trust Fund. Both said they would support funding for it.

The ACCF hosted a forum for the three state Senate races and the four House of Delegate races in which Arlington County residents will vote. In addition to a piece of Arlington, the 32nd District seat for which Forrest and Howell are running includes parts of Oakton, Vienna, Herndon, Chantilly, McLean and Reston.