The Virginian-Pilot reports this morning that Republican incumbent, Randy Forbes, will not participate in a debate against his Democratic challenger, Dr. Wynne LeGrow. Across the state, the local League of Women Voters have been arranging debates in each of the Congressional districts. Locally, the Williamsburg League sponsored yesterday’s debate in the 1st (even though this article fails to mention that). The Peninsula and Southside chapters combined to sponsor debates in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. The debate in the 2nd was held last week and the one in the 3rd will be held tomorrow night. Only in the 4th, represented by Forbes, was the League unable to arrange a debate.
I get it that incumbents don’t feel the need to debate. And I get it that Republican challengers, thinking this year is going to be a big wave, don’t feel the need, either. Finally, I understand that some of these races are not competitive. I still think a lack of at least one debate is an affront to voters.
I’m told Forbes has a history of not debating his opponents.
“His calendar is booked for the month of October,” said Forbes’ spokeswoman, Jessica Mancari. “It has been booked for months.”
Sounds like it has been booked for years.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
“He’s got to make decisions on his calendar based on what his priorities are”
To bad he does not consider the people who live in his district a priority.