Virginia Senate Candidate Hung Cao (R), a retired Navy captain, dominated in a debate against incumbent Senator Time Kaine (D), who was selected as Hillary Clinton’s VP nominee back in 2016.

Cao had numerous standout moments during the lively debate, including his personal comments about illegal immigration and the direction of the U.S. Military.

“When Vietnam fell, we had nowhere to go, and America had brought us in and my parents waited in line for seven years — we all did, for seven years to get out citizenship,” Cao said in one viral exchange about illegal immigration. “The last thing that my dad had over his bed when he passed away two years ago was his naturalization certificate. I love this country so much that I wrote a blank check — up to and including my life — to defend it for 25 years in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and other parts of the world.”

“Here’s my thing to anybody who wants to come here — don’t ask for an American dream if you’re not willing to follow American laws and embrace American culture,” he added. “If you come here illegally, then you need to leave, especially if you’re a violent [criminal].”

CAPT Cao: “Don’t ask for the American dream if you’re not willing to obey American laws and embrace the American culture.” pic.twitter.com/YAa4VuQpqI

— Hung Cao (@HungCao_VA) October 2, 2024

In another exchange, Cao noted the U.S. Navy controversially using a drag queen for a recruitment pitch.

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“When you’re using a drag queen to recruit for the Navy, that’s not the people we want,” the Republican said. “What we need is alpha males and alpha females who are going to rip out their own guts, eat them, and ask for seconds. Those are the young men and women who are going to win wars.”

CAPT Cao: “When you’re using a drag queen…to recruit for the Navy, that’s not the people we need. What we need is alpha males and alpha females who are going to rip out their own guts, eat them and ask for seconds.” pic.twitter.com/1sCSZ8AZVh

— Hung Cao (@HungCao_VA) October 2, 2024

Cao, who was commissioned as a United States Naval Academy EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), also hit Kaine for failing to get legislation passed.

“[Kaine] says what he’s going to do,” Cao said. “Honestly, of the 227 bills that Senator Kaine has proposed, only three of them made it through. … That’s a 99% failure rate.”

Kaine said Cao was “completely wrong” about the criticism. Earning some laughs, Cao shot back: “There’s two truths in the world, okay? Never walk into a target store wearing a red shirt and never go against an Asian when it comes to math. Trust me.”

CAPT Cao: “There’s two truths in the world….Never walk into Target store wearing a red shirt and never go against an Asian when it comes to math.” pic.twitter.com/JCYXUCDRmc

— Hung Cao (@HungCao_VA) October 3, 2024