Three of the four men vying to represent Mathews County in the state legislature got a chance to introduce themselves to their future constituents last week during a candidate forum sponsored by the Middle Peninsula League of Voters.

Last Thursday’s forum, which was held at Mathews Memorial Library, featured the two candidates running for House of Delegates—Republican Keith Hodges and Democrat Andrew Shoukas—and Ben Loyola, GOP challenger for the 6th Senatorial District seat.

Incumbent state Sen. Ralph Northam (D-Norfolk), who is seeking a second four-year term, was not in attendance. "Senator Northam had been scheduled for some time to address a civic group in Norfolk Thursday evening, and therefore was not able to attend the forum in Mathews," said Northam aide Matt Strickler.

Loyola took issue with Northam’s absence, implying that the senator has been dodging him on the campaign trail. "Sadly, this is number four," Loyola said of N...