House Of Delegates Debate Hosted By University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg VA

20 September, 2021

3:54 PM

Description

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The University of Mary Washington will host a debate between candidates for Virginia's 28th District House of Delegates seat on Wednesday, Sept. 22. The debate will be hosted via Zoom, and viewers can tune in on YouTube. The university also plans to host another debate for Virginia's 88th District House of Delegates seat on Oct. 26. Both debates are organized and hosted by the University of Mary Washington's College Republicans, Young Democrats and Student Government Association. Viewers interested in the event are encouraged to submit questions for consideration at the debate through an online form. Questions will be accepted until 11 a.m. on the day of the event. Stephen Farnsworth, a professor and director of the university's Center for Leadership and Media Studies, will moderate the event. "While COVID has forced us to debate online this fall, we can look forward to vigorous discussions about the path forward for Virginia," Farnsworth said. The University of Mary Washington's debates are co-sponsored by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, The Free Lance-Star and the League of Women Voters of the Fredericksburg Area. Brianna Reaves, the president of the university's Student Government Association, says the debate is a great opportunity for students. "Such debates make an investment in student participation and increase excitement for civic engagement," Reaves said. "Including students in this process is crucial to the grassroots activism we see on campus." Joshua Cole, the incumbent delegate, was elected in 2019. He was formerly president of the Stafford County NAACP, and is currently an associate pastor at Stafford's Union Bell Baptist Church. Tara Durant, Cole's Republican challenger, is an elementary school teacher. She is also a Marine wife and a breast cancer survivor. This is her first race for public office. Her campaign intends to "rebuild Virginia's economy, get our students back on track, and fix our transportation problems," according to her website. The video of the debate will be available on the university's YouTube page.