From the Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA07) for reelection campaign:
Spanberger Statement on Status of VA-07 Debate
FREDERICKSBURG, VA – The campaign of U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement about the state of the Prince William Committee of 100 and League of Women Voters Debate:
“Ever since she won the Republican nomination for Virginia’s 7th District, Yesli Vega has hid from the press and, most importantly, the Virginians she hopes to represent in Congress. Vega’s team knows she cannot be trusted to speak candidly in front of legitimate members of the press and voters, because she cannot defend her extreme positions.
“So, in a last ditch effort to protect their candidate, Vega’s team insisted on installing Larry O’Connor — a right-wing radio host known for spreading lies, hyper-partisan vitriol, and hatred against Democrats — as a debate moderator. This effort came after they rejected multiple experienced, nonpartisan moderators with a record of moderating debates.
“Yesli Vega does not want to debate; she wants a show, and she wants to be on stage with someone who has called Democrats ‘monsters’ and implored readers of his blog ‘you must wreak revenge. You must punish them [Democrats]. You must… make them [Democrats] pay.’ Virginia voters deserve better.
“Abigail has been clear: she wants to debate the issues, just as she has in her prior two campaigns. She is disappointed that her opponent has backed out of multiple debates and forums, tried to tip the scales in her direction, and attempted to turn a nonpartisan community event into a political game. Virginians deserve a good-faith debate on the issues impacting their lives, not political theater..”
BACKGROUND
Last month, Vega declined a traditional debate with the University of Mary Washington, the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, Virginia Public Media, the League of Women Voters, and the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce.
On the same day the Spanberger for Congress campaign learned of Larry O’Connor’s potential entry as a debate moderator, Wednesday, October 12, Yesli Vega joined O’Connor on his radio show, “O’Connor & Company.” There, O’Connor spoke negatively about Spanberger’s campaign. O’Connor’s negative rhetoric comes after countless examples disparaging Democrats – making clear he is hyper-partisan and unfit to play the role of a nonpartisan debate moderator.
Spanberger – a former federal law enforcement officer and CIA case officer – holds herself accountable to all Virginians, whether they voted for her or not. Since taking office, Spanberger has held more than 40 public town hall events.
Earlier this year, Spanberger was once again ranked as the most bipartisan Member of Congress from Virginia, and among the top five most bipartisan Members of the U.S. House overall.
Spanberger has always made herself accessible to Virginia voters and the press. As an example, in just the last seven days, she has answered questions from and interviewed with Fox News, WAMU, Prince William Times, Politico, Washington Post, WTOP, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Times, Virginia Mercury, Financial Times, Associated Press, NBC4 Washington, and WUSA9.
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