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Both parties may pay to hold debates for two state races
The Loudoun County Republican and Democratic committees may stage a debate for two state races to ensure that Republican candidates do not drop out of other debates sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Loudoun County, committee leaders said.
As first reported by The Washington Post on Sunday, several Republican candidates, including supervisors Stephen Snow (Dulles), Eugene Delgaudio (Sterling) and Mick Staton (Sugarland Run), indicated they would not take part in debates sponsored by the league unless debates in two races featuring Democratic incumbents were also held.
The Post also said that Betsy Mayr, president of the Loudoun chapter of the league, stepped down from her position because she is also treasurer of the political action group Voters for Loudoun's Future.
Republicans say two of their candidates were excluded by the league's slate of candidate forums because both of the state seats they are pursuing are occupied by Democrats. The races in question feature Republican Patrica Phillips against Sen. Mark Herring (D-eastern Loudoun) and Republican Lynn Chapman against Del. David Poisson (D-northeastern Loudoun).
"I think after the [Loudoun County] Chamber forum, the Republicans realized they didn't do so well," Loudoun County Democratic Committee Chairman Thom Beres said, reacting to threats by Republicans not to take part in league debates. "They didn't want to put Delgaudio in front of people again."
Beres said he has spoken with former Loudoun County Republican Committee chairman Randy Minchew about the two committees jointly paying for and sponsoring a debate at a local middle school featuring the four candidates. Del. Joe May (R-western Loudoun) and challenger Democrat Marty Martinez may also take part.
Beres said a past chairman of each committee would moderate the event and that the league would not be involved. But he also said he has not gotten assurances yet that Republicans would take part in the league forums if this new debate does occur.
"I'm gratified that my counterpart on the Democratic Committee has indicated his willingness to make funds available to finance such a debate," Loudoun County Republican Committee President Paul Protic said in a statement. "The LCRC is also ready and willing to provide funding for that purpose."
Phillips, in a statement, called the decision by some Republicans not to attend the debates an act of unity.
"Mr. Chapman and I both deserve the same opportunities that every other candidate receives," she said. "I think it only fair that the League of Women Voters includes us, as well.”
But contrary to her statement where she says Republican supervisors Snow, Staton, Delgaudio, Jim Clem (Leesburg) and candidate Geary Higgins (Catoctin) would not take part in the forums, Clem, at least, said he was still planning to attend his debate with Democrat Kelly Burk on Oct. 10. The Post reported that Higgins also plans to attend his debate with Supervisor Sally Kurtz (D-Catoctin) on the same day.
In an interview, Clem said he was asked by fellow Republicans to back out, but decided against it. He said he didn't even know the league sponsored debates for state races. He called league-sponsored events he has taken part in "fair."
This election season, the league scheduled five forums featuring candidates running for the board, sheriff and one state office. Two have already taken place: one for the 27th State Senate District race and one featuring candidates for Loudoun sheriff.
Republican Greg Ahlemann took part in the sheriff debate, but Republican hopeful Jill Holtzman Vogel did not attend the 27th District debate, citing a scheduling conflict.
Contact the reporter at jjacks@timespapers.com
It is certainly a shame the the local GOP continues to act like spoiled children. When given the opportunity to participate, they walk away. When at the dias before voters in an open and polite forum, they throw slim stating that minorities are the source of all our problems.
This county needs serious leadership and not one of the eastern GOP candidates can say anything positive. Its a wonder that they haven't requested a security detail from the Sherrif. Oh, thats right, they ran him off as well.
Posted by BTO
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The claim that serving on the boards of two non-partisan groups is a "conflict of interest" is a very thin smokescreen for what this really is: Republican candidates who are afraid to face their opponents in public.
Mr. Protic and Mrs. Phillips are both perfectly well aware that the League had limited funding for these forums, and chose to prioritize the ones in which voters had the most interest. If it was so important to them to have the forums in question, the LCRC could have offered funding assistance months ago, when the forums were being scheduled. I imagine it would have been gratefully received.
Now it looks like just what it is, an excuse. It won't work. The voters who came to the 27th Senate district forum were as insulted as the League organizers when Jill Vogel cancelled at the last minute. It was a slap in the face, after she had agreed to participate since July. These forums are a great deal of work, a tremendously valuable service to the voters, and not something for candidates to take for granted.
Posted by David
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Good job negotiating. It was a shame that a debate between Mr. Firetti and Mr. York was not originally scheduled for some reason, and I am glad that the parties will pay for it to be part of the debates, as well as Patricia Phillips vs. Mark Herring. The challengers need a chance to get their message out, and it is hard with incumbents having name recognition. We all deserve a chance to hear Mr. Firetti and Ms. Phillips. I am sure the League of Women Voters can find volunteers, too. I will volunteer. Thanks Mr. Minchew.
Posted by sallymann
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