Adds to Gillespie’s 10 Accepted Debate Invitations
Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam Has Committed to Only 3 Debates
Republican gubernatorial nominee Ed Gillespie today announced he has accepted invitations to 10 gubernatorial forums and joint speaking opportunities to be held across the Commonwealth. The announcement comes after Gillespie last week accepted a vigorous debate schedule, in which he accepted invitations to ten gubernatorial debates. Democratic nominee Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam’s attendance in the debates and forums remains unknown, though he has said he will only participate in three debates—far fewer than the number he accepted in the Democrats’ primary.
“Virginia is at a critical juncture, and voters should have every opportunity to hear the clear differences in how Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam and I will address the serious issues we are facing,” said Gillespie. “I look forward to sharing my positive vision in forums and debates across the Commonwealth, and I hope the Lieutenant Governor will find the time in his schedule to join me.”
Gillespie has accepted the following forum and joint speaking opportunities:
1. Listening Forum Hosted By The McShin Foundation
2. Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorneys Forum
3. Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance Annual Meeting
4. Virginia Association of Counties Meeting
5. NoVIE and Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Nonprofit Executive Roundtable
6. ChamberRVA Board Meeting
7. Agriculture and Forestry Gubernatorial Candidate Forum
8. The Business Council of the Roanoke-Blacksburg Region Breakfast Forum
9. VIRGINIAforever Bridge Builder Dinner
10. 2017 Conference on World Trade hosted by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Last week, Gillespie accepted invitations to 10 gubernatorial debates including:
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 the 10 forums and joint speaking opportunities and 10 debates listed above regardless of Northam’s attendance.