Photos courtesy of campaigns
Virginia gubernatorial candidates, Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Rep. Abigail Spanberger
The nominees vying for the Virginia Governor's office have agreed to debate each other Thursday, Oct. 9 in a televised, statewide gubernatorial debate hosted by WAVY-TV and Norfolk State University.
Democratic nominee Rep. Abigail Spanberger will debate her opponent, GOP nominee Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. Previously, Spanberger turned down a CNN-hosted debate and Earle-Sears turned down an AARP-hosted debate.
“Virginians have a clear choice in November. Abigail Spanberger is the only candidate with a gameplan for lowering costs for Virginia families, strengthening Virginia’s public schools, and standing up for Virginia’s economy in this moment of chaos and uncertainty,” said Samson Signori, campaign manager, Spanberger for Governor. “Abigail is prepared and ready to debate the issues at Norfolk State University, outline her vision for putting Virginians first, and make clear that her opponent is far too extreme for the Commonwealth.”
Last week after months of negotiations, citing a scheduling conflict, Winsome Earle-Sears refused to debate in the traditional, statewide “People’s Debate” — which would have been hosted by Virginia State University, AARP Virginia, WTVR-TV, WJLA-TV, and WTKR-TV. Spanberger formally accepted participation in the “People’s Debate” more than one month earlier on July 11.
The Spanberger campaign declined a CNN-hosted debate, saying that any debates should be carried by state and local media — the outlets a governor would work with most often.
A poll conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University earlier this summer shows Spanberger leads Earle-Sears 49% to 37%, among registered voters in Virginia
The two will face each other on the ballot Nov. 4. The lieutenant governor, attorney general and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates are also being considered by voters. Early in-person voting begins Sept. 19.
