Powers challenges Griffith to three debates in Ninth District

Bedford, VA — Democratic nominee for Congress Joy Powers on Monday formally challenged Congressman Morgan Griffith to participate in three public debates across Virginia’s Ninth Congressional District before voters cast their ballots this November.

In a letter sent directly to Griffith, Powers proposed holding one debate in far Southwest Virginia, one in the New River Valley, and one on the eastern end of the district. Powers said the two campaigns should jointly agree on hosts, venues, moderators, and format, with questions coming directly from voters across the Ninth District.

“The people of Southwest Virginia deserve them,” Powers wrote.

Powers said the debates should give voters an opportunity to question both candidates directly about health care, data centers, jobs, agriculture, energy costs, education, Social Security and Medicare, and the future of Southwest Virginia’s communities.

Powers is asking Griffith to accept the three debates by September 5.