AARP Virginia Announces 2025 The People’s Debate for Virginia Governor

AARP Virginia announced that it will once again sponsor The People’s Debate in 2025 for this year’s gubernatorial election. AARP Virginia’s partners for the event are Richmond’s WTVR-CBS 6 and Virginia State University, which will host the debate on September 16.

The People’s Debate is Virginia’s oldest and most widely broadcast statewide debate.

“AARP Virginia has worked for decades to make sure voters have the information they need to make their own choices when casting their ballots,” AARP Virginia State Director Jim Dau wrote in a letter today announcing the debate plans to the Republican Party of Virginia, the Democratic Party of Virginia, and the campaigns of currently eligible candidates.

“Nothing is more meaningful to voters than hearing directly from the people vying to represent them,” Dau said. “The People’s Debate gives the candidates a unique opportunity to speak directly to voters and weigh in on the issues that matter most to them.”

AARP Virginia will extend formal invitations to The People’s Debate following the conclusion of nomination contests on June 17 to all eligible candidates. Criteria for eligibility include: they will appear on the general election ballot; have a staffed campaigns headquarters; and, within 45 days of the event, have a minimum of 15 percent voter support in at least one statistically valid poll conducted by news media or another independent organization (free of ties to a political party or candidate).

AARP Virginia began hosting The People’s Debate in 2006 for all gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races. AARP does not endorse or contribute money to candidates, political parties or campaigns.

With about 1 million members in Virginia, AARP is the largest organization working on behalf of people over 50 and their families in the Commonwealth. To learn more about how AARP Virginia is working in your community, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aarpvirginia and follow @AARPVa on X at www.X.com/aarpva.

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.