[2] As the Senate of Virginia was evenly split between 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans, the lieutenant gubernatorial election effectively decided which party had control of that chamber.

[6] In December 2011, Cuccinelli announced to his staff that he would run against Bolling for governor in 2013; the news went public, and in response, Bolling issued a statement accusing Cuccinelli of putting "his own personal ambition ahead of the best interests of the commonwealth and the Republican Party.

He cited the Republican Party's decision to move to a nominating convention rather than hold a primary.

He ruled out running for another term as lieutenant governor and refused to endorse Cuccinelli.

Northam was the aggressor in the debate, attacking Jackson over his controversial statements and personal history.

"[23][24] Northam spoke at length on abortion, saying regulations and laws on abortion recently passed by the General Assembly represented "an assault on women's reproductive health care," and attacked Jackson for his support of those regulations and laws.

[21] Northam said he supported the expansion because if Virginia rejected it, the taxes it pays to the federal government would go to other states.