Gillespie calls for 10 debates with Northam in Virginia governor's race
After winning a GOP primary in which he was accused of avoiding his competitors, Republican gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie called Monday for 10 debates with Democrat Ralph S. Northam before the general election in November.
Gillespie, a former Republican National Committee chairman and political consultant, called for the unusually heavy general election debate schedule a week after narrowly beating Corey Stewart, chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, in the Republican primary. There were four general election debates in Virginias 2009 governors race. In 2013, there were three.
Virginia faces serious challenges and real opportunities. Voters deserve to know exactly how Lt. Governor Northam and I will approach them, Gillespie said in a news release. A series of 10 debates all around our commonwealth will ensure they know the clear differences between us.
Northam, the sitting lieutenant governor, won a convincing victory last week over insurgent primary challenger Tom Perriello. Heading into the general election phase with Democrats riding a statewide winning streak since 2009, the Northam campaign did not commit to a specific number of debates.
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