Area Democrats gathered last Thursday night at St. Clare Walker Middle School in Middlesex to hear from the two candidates vying for the chance to unseat Rep. Robert J. Wittman (R-Montross) in the November general election.

Around 60-70 people filled the school’s auditorium to hear from Herb Jones and Leslie Mehta, the two hopefuls running in the Democratic Primary for Virginia’s 1st Congressional District, in a candidate forum sponsored by five Middle Peninsula Democratic committees.

Those looking for a contentious fight between the two candidates would have come away disappointed, as Jones and Mehta agreed on many of the same issues, ranging from providing affordable and accessible health care and protecting women’s reproductive rights to ensuring gun safety, preserving democracy and the right to vote. Both expressed their disdain for Wittman, who they said is an election denier, has endorsed former President Trump and aligned himself with far-right Republicans.

The spirit ...