WASHINGTON – In the final week before Election Day, Virginia Republican Senate candidate Hung Cao sat down with Jim Lokay on “The Final 5 with Jim Lokay*” to discuss his campaign, concerns about the economy and immigration, and why he believes that it is time for a change in Virginia's Senate seat.

Looking back on the final days of the campaign, Cao admitted that it was now a “waiting game.” “At this point, we have done everything we can,” Cao explained, adding that his team is focused on rallying its base. He highlighted the high turnout among early voters, noting, “1.7 million voters – that's 38% of the electorate – and the numbers are really, really favorable to us.” He cited an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, forthcoming will hold a rally in Virginia. “He knows he can win Virginia,” Cao said.

When asked about the issues that resonate most with Virginians, Cao pointed out that the economy and border security are interrelated concerns. “We are seeing crime related to illegal drugs increasing,” he said, citing recent cases of gang violence allegedly linked to illegal immigrants. Cao argued that resources currently used to support illegal immigrants could be redirected to help Virginians affected by natural disasters, such as those affected by Hurricane Helene.

“We need this money to help Americans… and where was Tim Kaine? “He was at the pig roast with Mark Warner while Joe Biden was at the beach,” he noted, criticizing current leaders’ response to crises.

Lokay challenged Cao over his criticism of incumbent Democratic Senator Tim Kaine. In a recent debate, Cao accused Kaine of failing to do justice to Virginia, citing a “99% failure rate” for legislation Kaine sponsored. “You have a better chance of winning the Powerball tonight, Jim, than of him doing anything for Virginia,” Cao remarked.

Cao continued to claim that Kaine has been ineffective, noting that Kaine “now wants to stay until 2030 to fix everything he screwed up.” He added: “You've worked in different offices for 30 years…What do you think you'll do in the next 6 years that you haven't done in the last 12?”

Virginia Senate candidate Hung Cao discusses race issues in the Senate, key issues and immigration

Lokay noted that Kaine defended his bipartisan work and collaboration with Republicans as essential to his legislative success. Cao was skeptical and opposed some of these efforts, such as Kaine's support for immigration reform that would “allow up to 10,000 illegal immigrants per day into the United States,” a number Cao called unsustainable. “We have neither the money nor the infrastructure to house and feed these people. We have to take care of the Americans first,” he said.

Lokay pressed Cao on his proposed solutions to border control, asking whether the answer was a complete closure or something in between. Cao advocated strict measures: “Zero is the solution. Let’s fortify our border and protect our border.” He pointed to a recent security issue involving drones at Langley Air Force Base and blamed Kaine’s inaction for the eight-day delay in flight operations there.

Cao ended the interview with a direct appeal to voters. “Ask yourself this fundamental question: Are you better off today than you were four years ago?” He urged Virginians to demand change, emphasizing: “You deserve better than a 30-year-old politician, time and time again “We can’t afford to put gas in our cars, put food on the table, or buy a house, and that’s because of them.”

As the election approaches, Cao's message of change and a return to “protecting American life” remains his central concern to Virginia voters.