AARP cancels Virginia U.S. Senate debate

AARP Virginia has canceled an October debate between Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Warner and Republican challenger Bert Mizusawa after Warner’s campaign said he could not commit to participating.The People’s Debate had been scheduled for Oct. 7 at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond.
Warner’s campaign cited “an unsettled and expectedly busy official Senate calendar,” according to a statement by AARP Virginia.
Mizusawa had previously accepted the invitation.
“While we are disappointed that Senator Warner could not commit, we appreciate General Mizusawa’s commitment to participate in the debate,” AARP Virginia State Director Jim Dau said.
The cancellation leaves the candidates without a confirmed debate less than two months before the Nov. 3 general election.
AARP Virginia and Richmond’s WTVR-CBS 6 have held The People’s Debate for statewide election races since 2006. AARP describes it as Virginia’s oldest and most widely broadcast statewide debate.
“Voters should be able to hear directly from candidates about where they stand on the issues that matter to them,” Dau said. “The People’s Debate would have been an opportunity for voters to hear the candidates’ plans around critical issues like protecting Social Security and supporting family caregivers.”
AARP announced the debate in August and formally invited Warner and Mizusawa.
Warner and Mizusawa appeared at the same Labor Day event in Buena Vista on Sept. 7, where they delivered back-to-back speeches rather than participating in a debate.
Mizusawa won the Republican nomination in Virginia’s Aug. 4 primary and is challenging Warner in the Nov. 3 election.
AARP said it will continue to elevate voters’ voices and provide information on where candidates stand on issues that affect them.

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