Republican Bob McDonnell and Democrat Creigh Deeds won't have their first debate until late July, but the two men will work to woo the same educators in Williamsburg on Tuesday.
Hugh school principals from across Virginia are meeting in Kingsmill for an annual conference and they're going to get a chance to hear from both the men running for governor. McDonnell takes the stage first - early tomorrow morning - while Deeds is expected to speak later in the week. The principals will hear from Gov. Timothy M. Kaine on Wednesday.
It ought to be interesting to see what kind of a reception that Deeds and McDonnell get at the conference. Both men got the chance to speak to the Virginia Education Association conference in Hampton earlier this year. The Democrats typically have the edge with this voting block - especially when it comes to teachers' unions. But McDonnell didn't shy away from bringing up charter schools and parental choice in education - two things that don't usually sit well with groups of teachers.
Further - the schedule for the conference explicitly mentions that the conference will focus on federal stimulus funds that are being provided to school divisions to offset state and local budget deficits.
To check out some details go to the principals web site here.
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