Republican candidates for Virginia's Attorney General debate in Roanoke

The three men who want to be the Republican nominee for Attorney General make their first pitch to local Republicans at a debate Tuesday night at Roanoke's Patrick Henry High School.

Ken Cuccinelli uses his opening statement to play up his State Senate experience.

"No one else in this race has a record on all these issues as a conservative or any other way.", says Cuccinelli.

Dave Foster, the former school board chairman from Arlington, focuses on his success getting elected in highly democratic Northern Virginia.

"I can do the most to elect Bob McDonnell Governor and Bill Bolling Lieutenant Governor.", says Foster.

Former U.S. Attorney John Brownlee says to win, the next nominee needs to be a prosecutor.

"Six terms of Attorney General in this great commonwealth, five of those six terms were filled by prosecutors and every single time the voters had a choice, they picked the prosecutor. ", says Brownlee.

10 On Your Side's Senior Political Reporter Jay Warren moderates the debate, asking the question most submitted prior to the event.

"You all talk a lot about your pro life stances. Under what circumstances if ever should abortion be legal?", asks Jay Warren.

"I don't believe when we ultimately have the law shaped in the way we like their should be exceptions, except the life of the mother.", says Cuccinelli.

"When the life of the mother is at risk, we should certainly allow the mother to protect herself.", says Brownlee.

The answer was clear from Cuccinelli and Brownlee, while Foster was not as straightforward.

"Let me ask the question one more time. Are there any specific circumstances that you think abortion should be legal?", says Jay Warren.

"You're asking personally versus legally. Personally I oppose it. Legally I have not drawn that line in the sand because we do not have a consensus in VA.", says Foster.

"Rape and incest?", asks Jay Warren.

"Oh I believe there should be an exception for that.", says Foster. "There has to be under current law."

"Life of the mother?", asks Jay Warren.

"Life of the mother.", says Foster.

This question looked toward the future of Virginia's Republican Party.

"Will you pledge tonight that if elected Attorney General, you will support Bill Bolling for Governor in 2013 and not run against him?, asks Jay Warren.

"That's just not something I would foresee happening.", says Cuccinelli.

"So equivocally no?", asks Jay Warren.

"Yes. Correct.", responds Cuccinelli.

"It's important for us to be able to tell you the truth. There's no equivocation. There is no maybe this maybe that. the bottom line is I'm going to support the man because of what he did for our party.", says Brownlee.

"Can you not tell the voters tonight I'm not going to run against Bill Bolling?", asks Jay Warren of Foster.

"I certainly would not expect to, you'd have to give me a very good reason.", says Foster.

"Yes or No?", asks Jay Warren.

"I haven't heard your reason.", says Foster.

The Republicans will choose one of these three men as their nominee for Attorney General at a convention May 30 in Richmond.