—Nearly 3 Million Virginians Live in the Two Regions—
As of Now Last Debate Oct 9th; Final Debates in Last Two Governor’s Races: October 24th, 2013; October 21st, 2009
With just 55 days left until Election Day in the Commonwealth, Republican gubernatorial nominee Ed Gillespie today reiterated his request for Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ralph Northam to join him in participating in debates in two of Virginia’s most populous regions: Richmond and Hampton Roads. Gillespie originally agreed to participate in 10 debates in areas all across Virginia. Northam rejected the overwhelming majority of these events, instead only agreeing to three debates, with the last one taking place nearly a month before voters actually head to the polls.
Notably, Northam refused to participate in debates in the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas, despite the fact that collectively these two regions of the state are home to nearly 3 million Virginians, or nearly 40 percent of the Commonwealth’s population. One of the Richmond debates would have been moderated by former Virginia Governor Doug Wilder. The Hampton Roads debate would have been overseen by the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.
Speaking about the renewed call for debates in these two critically important regions of the Commonwealth, Ed Gillespie noted, “On November 7th Virginians will to go to the polls to choose the next governor of Virginia. They should be casting their ballots based on what we are proposing and saying. The best way to ensure this happens, is to let Virginians hear directly from the candidates, and there is no better way to do this than via debates. Governor Doug Wilder has offered to host a debate in Richmond. That debate should happen. The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce has done the same in Tidewater. That debate should happen. Hiding from voters and not having a single debate in the final month of a campaign, is just not acceptable. Today I again call on the Lieutenant Governor to join me in debates in Richmond and Hampton Roads. This is a time for leadership, and voters deserve nothing less.”
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