2017 Republican gubernatorial nominee Ed Gillespie today announced he has accepted invitations to 10 gubernatorial debates to be held at venues across the Commonwealth. The announcement follows Gillespie’s call for a rigorous debate schedule with his opponent, Democratic nominee Ralph Northam, in an effort to better-inform Virginians on where each candidate stands on the many serious issues facing the Commonwealth. To date, Northam has only publicly committed to attending the Virginia Bar Association debate on July 22.
“There are big differences between how Lieutenant Governor Northam and I will approach the serious challenges facing our Commonwealth, and these debates will ensure the voters know them,” said Gillespie. “I appreciate the hard work of the event’s organizers and volunteers, and I hope Lieutenant Governor Northam will make the time in his schedule to join me at these debates.”
Gillespie has accepted the following debate invitations:
1. Virginia Bar Association Debate
2. WRIC-TV, WAVY-TV, WHAG-TV, and WFXR-TV Debate
3. Governor Doug Wilder Debate
4. The Center for Rural Virginia Debate
5. UVA Batten School and Southwest Virginia Technology Council Debate at UVA-Wise
6. Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Debate
7. Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce Debate
8. Virginia Tech and WDBJ-TV Debate
9. Radio One & Miss Community Clovia Debate
10. Liberty University Debate
Gillespie is committed to participating in all 10 debates listed above regardless of Northam’s attendance.