First debate set for July 25 in governor's race

Posted to: Elections
Login or register to post comments

By Julian Walker
The Virginian-Pilot
© June 22, 2009

RICHMOND

The first debate between the two men running for governor has been scheduled.

Democrat Creigh Deeds and Republican Bob McDonnell will square off July 25 during the Virginia Bar Association’s annual summer meeting to be held at The Homestead resort in Hot Springs. Rodney Smolla, dean of the law school at Washington and Lee University, will serve as moderator.

For years, the Bar has hosted early debates in statewide races. The format for next month’s debate is being finalized.

Voters selected Deeds, a state Senator from Bath County, from a field of three Democrats vying for the party nomination in a primary election earlier this month.

McDonnell, a former attorney general and state legislator from Virginia Beach, was named the GOP nominee at the state party’s annual convention last month.

The two previously ran against each other in 2005, with McDonnell prevailing in the contest for attorney general by 360 votes after a recount.

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

McDonnell is giving away tickets for the debates!

Submitted by PoliticsRLocal on Wed, 07/01/2009 at 5:49 pm.

Bob McDonnell is giving away tickets for the debates. All you have to do is text in the word TIX to 46262 to be entered to win a pair of tickets to the debates!

I'm looking forward to all 10.