Economy, Project 2025 discussed at forum featuring Virginia 7th, 10th Congressional District candidates

MANASSAS, Va. ( DC News Now ) — Three of the four candidates in two Northern Virginia Congressional races discussed the issues at a forum Tuesday night in Manassas.

Derrick Anderson, the 7th District Republican candidate, and 7th District Democratic candidate, Eugene Vindman, were on stage for the forum, which took place at Metz Middle School. Only Democrat Suhas Subramanyam was there representing the 10th District race.

The wide-ranging, hour-long discussion covered Project 2025, abortion rights, gun violence and the economy.

Vindman attempted to paint Project 2025 as the agenda of the Republicans, including Anderson, and warned of what his defeat in the race could mean.

“This is the MAGA Republican playbook,” Vindman said. “He will not stand up to Donald Trump. Donald Trump does not take kindly to people that don’t try to stand up to him, have an independent mind. He will he will ban abortion if the bill comes up. No matter what he says, he’s not the one to stand up.”

Anderon spoke with DC News Now and said he does not support a national abortion ban and would rather leave the issue to the states, though he did not specify if or when he believes abortion should be allowed.

The Republican candidate emphasized his messages on immigration and the economy as key campaign platforms.

“I did not know what Project 2025 was until [Vindman] kept talking about it over and over again,” he said. “That’s not my plan. Here’s my plan: let’s make sure we can get our economy back on track.”

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