McAuliffe, Cuccinelli Head to Luxurious Resort for First Debate

Written by William Callahan

Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Ken Cuccinelli will face off July 20 in the first gubernatorial debate ahead of Virginia's election this year.

The two candidates will spar at The Homestead, the luxurious resort in Hot Springs, in a debate moderated by journalist Judy Woodruff and streamed live at 11 a.m. on PBS.org. 

The event, sponsored by the Virginia Bar Association, is the first official debate in a gubernatorial race that is expected to draw eyes and dollars from all over the country.

McAuliffe and Cuccinelli have already traded jabs on transportation and the economy, topics that will likely be prominent in the July 20 event.

And with the big show less than two weeks away, both candidates are ready.

“Ken Cuccinelli is looking forward to finally sharing a stage with Terry McAuliffe to truly debate their two very different visions for Virginia,” Cuccinelli spokeswoman Anna Nix said in an email to Patch. “Ken will use this opportunity to discuss his message of growing the economy, creating jobs and easing the burdens on middle-class families as well as sharing his long history of putting Virginians first."

McAuliffe also plans to focus on the economy, McAuliffe spokesman Josh Schwerin.

"Terry is looking forward to having a substantive debate about how we can grow and diversify Virginia's economy,” Schwerin told Patch in an email.

“While Terry is focused on mainstream solutions to Virginia's transportation challenges and creating jobs, Ken Cuccinelli has spent his career advancing his extreme social agenda.”

And although Cuccinelli has a history as a good debater, Schwerin was confident McAuliffe would prevail.

“Cuccinelli is a talented, experienced debater and lawyer but his divisive record is one that no amount of spin will hide from Virginia voters,” Schwerin said.

McAuliffe and Cuccinelli are also scheduled to debate in McLean in September.

Cuccinelli has challenged McAuliffe to 15 debates, but McAuliffe’s camp says the number is unrealistic and has committed to the customary five.