Congressional candidates work Labor Day

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) - The political season is in full swing. Democrats and Republicans celebrated Labor Day by rounding up workers for the upcoming November elections.

In Newport News, Incumbent Congressman Bobby Scott hosted the party for Democrats. Familiar faces in Virginia politics like Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA), and former Governor Tim Kaine were on hand.

However, Scott himself was the man of the hour. This November, he will have competition for his Third District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The district covers all of Portsmouth, parts of the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond, all of the Counties of Charles City, New Kent, and Surry, and parts of the Counties of Henrico and Prince George.

The congressman said he is running on his 18 year record.

"People want somebody who's going to support health care, who's going to support a balanced budget with a surplus to pay off the debt, juvenile justice reform that's endorsed by 250 organizations," Scott explained. "If that's the record people want then I'll be re-elected. If that's not what they want, then my opponent will do well."

Primary opponent, Republican Chuck Smith, is an attorney from Virginia Beach. ( The U.S. Constitution only requires Congressional candidates to reside in the state in which they run. Smith said he intends to move his family into the district.)

Smith spent the holiday opening a campaign office in Old Town Portsmouth and meeting some of his neighbors. Smith said he wants to go to Washington to bring results to the district.

"The places I go people not only, do not know who their representative is, or if they do - they do not know anything he is doing for them in their communities," Smith told WAVY.com. "I am a Republican and I'm running as a Republican, but most foremost I'm running as an American to bring jobs to our community."

Smith and Scott have different views on the nation's financial problems.

"There are two things you can do to deal with the deficit, you can raise taxes and reduce spending. Actually you need to do both," according to Scott who added the concept may not be popular.

Smith said he would have voted no on the stimulus bill Congress passed last year. "I don't think we can throw good money after bad. I don't think we can stimulate the economy by throwing money at it," he explained.

Smith and Scott are joined on the ballot by Libertarian candidate James Quigley, and Independent John Kelly.

Details for debates in the third district are being finalized. WAVY.com will post times and locations once they are available.

Governor Bob McDonnell (R- Virginia) spoke with voters and reporters at an annual parade in Buena Vista. He said he would work to get Republican governors and representatives elected.