With Virginia’s election now just six days away, Breaking Battlegrounds brings you a preview of this week’s episode — a candid, unfiltered conversation with John Reid, Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.

Reid, a longtime radio and television host turned political candidate, has made waves for his direct approach and willingness to engage in debates — even when his opponent won’t. But as he tells hosts Chuck Warren, this race isn’t just about partisanship or labels. It’s about defending the core freedoms that define Virginia and America.

“I’m Running to Protect Everyone’s Rights”

When asked what sets him apart from his opponent, State Senator Ghazala Hashmi, Reid didn’t hesitate.

“I’m a mainline conservative,” he said. “And I’m also the first openly gay candidate in the history of Virginia to run statewide — Republican or Democrat.”

It’s a historic first, but Reid insists that his focus remains squarely on principles, not identity.

“Some people are surprised, sure. But when you go through the checklist of what matters — freedom of religion, freedom to work, freedom of speech — I’m the one standing up for those rights,” he explained. “I’m not trying to be your pastor. I’m running to defend your freedom to live your faith and your life as you choose.”

For Reid, that’s not just campaign rhetoric. It’s a philosophical stand — one that bridges the cultural divides that have too often dominated state and national politics.

A Race Defined by Stark Contrasts

In contrast, Reid paints his Democratic opponent, Senator Hashmi, as the face of Virginia’s far-left agenda.

“She’s the self-described leader of the progressive movement,” he told Warren. “She wants boys competing against girls in high school sports, men in women’s locker rooms, and she pushed to keep schools closed an extra year during COVID.”

According to Reid, these aren’t minor policy differences — they’re fundamental divides about how government should interact with families, faith, and freedom.

“Everything we’ve been frustrated with over the last few years, she’s been leading the charge,” Reid said. “I don’t think she deserves a promotion. In fact, I don’t think she should still be at the Capitol.”

Principles Over Politics

What stands out most about John Reid’s campaign is his emphasis on protection of rights, not the pursuit of uniform beliefs.

He’s candid about his conservative values but equally firm about his respect for others’ freedoms — a message that may resonate with voters across ideological lines.

“Even if you’re unsure about me in a religious context,” Reid said, “you should still vote for me because I’m actually going to protect you. The Democrats want to force you to accept their version of what’s right and wrong. I won’t.”

Tune in to Breaking Battlegrounds this Friday for the full conversation with John Reid, as he talks about breaking political stereotypes, challenging Virginia’s progressive establishment, and making his final push to voters ahead of Election Day.

Transcript

Chuck Warren: But to give a sort of reader’s digest version of people listen to the debate, what are some of the key differences they will find between you and state Senator Hashmi?

**John Reid: **Well, there are pretty significant differences. You know, I’m a mainline conservative. I’m a pretty unique candidate because I’ll just be honest with you, I don’t know if people have read this or not, it’s not the biggest deal in the world to me, but it’s worth noting. I’m the first openly gay candidate in the history of Virginia to run statewide Republican or Democrat.

**Chuck Warren: **Can I ask you a question? Can I ask you a question real quick? In your meetings and one-on-one interactions with Republican voters, has anybody cared that you’re openly gay?

**John Reid: **Some people do. I think there’s some evangelical Christians who were kind of shocked. They bought into some of the stereotypes, so I break those stereotypes. there is a moral tug of war for some folks about whether they can support me. But when they go through the checklist of the things they care about, freedom of religion, the freedom of your church to preach what you want to preach, your freedom as an independent contractor to take certain jobs or not take certain jobs, you know, my feelings are one thing, but if I’m running for lieutenant governor, I’m not trying to be the associate pastor of your church.

Chuck Warren: Correct.

John Reid: And I’m also not trying to tell you what to do. I’m running for this job because I believe in freedom in America and in Virginia. And that means I got to stand up for everybody’s rights. Whether I necessarily agree with your evaluation or your equation on things is irrelevant.

I have to protect your rights. So I tell Christian conservatives, even if you are concerned about me in a religious context, I don’t think you should be, but that’s okay. If that’s how you feel, I’m not gonna argue with you. You should vote for me because I’m actually gonna protect you. The Democrats want to force you to accept their analysis of faith and their analysis of what’s good and what’s bad.

In addition, of course, they don’t want to repeal any of the taxes. They want to increase the regulations. And this lady that I’m running against, Senator Hashmi, she is the self-described leader of the progressive movement. She wants the boys competing against girls in high school sports. She wants men in your locker room and a restroom if you’re a woman.

She’s the person who wanted to keep the schools closed for an extra year during COVID. I mean, everything we are upset about that the Democrats have done. This one lady has been the forward tip of the spear for the progressive movements. I don’t think she deserves a promotion. I actually think she shouldn’t be at the Capitol anymore.

🎧 Catch the full conversation on Breaking Battlegrounds this Friday — Election Day is just 6 days away.