U.S. Senate Race Candidates will face off at The People’s Debate

The People’s Debate 2020: Statewide Broadcast Oct. 13

WHO:          
Candidates Dr. Daniel Gade and U.S. Senator Mark Warner

Moderator CBS 6 anchor Bill Fitzgerald

Panelists (virtually) AARP Virginia State President Joyce Williams, of Roanoke, and CBS 6 morning anchor Reba Hollingsworth

Media partner WTVR-CBS 6

Sponsor AARP Virginia

WHAT:         The People’s Debate

WHEN:         7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13

WHERE:       Live, delayed*, and streamed on the following stations or sites:

 WTVR CBS6*, Richmond, live on WTVR, 6.3 (Comcast 206, Verizon 466) and website

WJLA 24/7 News, Washington, D.C.

WTKR News 3*, Norfolk, live on website

ABC 13 WSET, Lynchburg/Roanoke

WCAV CBS19 News*, Charlottesville, live on WCAV.2- Fox Virginia, 7 – 8 p.m.

AARP Virginia’s Facebook page.

*The debate will be delayed on CBS stations if the NFL game Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans is held.

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

ABOUT WTVR CBS 6

WTVR-TV, the South’s First Television Station located on West Broad Street in Richmond, Virginia, is a legacy CBS affiliate owned by the E. W. Scripps Company. The station signed on the air April 22, 1948 as the first TV station granted a license south of the Mason/Dixon line. It was also the 16th television station in the U.S. — and the eighth to be granted a broadcast license. The station’s landmark tower, which sits at 1,049 feet above sea level, was the largest freestanding structure in the country at that time and now stands as a familiar Richmond landmark.

ABOUT AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

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Virginia voters statewide will hear candidates’ positions on issues important to their families

The People’s Debate 2020: Amid pandemic, the show will go on


Panelists will question candidates remotely; studio to be limited to essential personnel

RICHMOND _ When Dr. Daniel Gade and U.S. Senator Mark Warner face off at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at The People’s Debate, viewers might notice a few differences from past forums, but the familiar format will stay the same, focusing on getting voters the answers they need to cast their ballots.

“We will bring the candidates into voters’ homes through TV and the internet, so that they can hear what Dr. Gade and Senator Warner have to say on issues affecting their families,” said AARP Virginia State Director Jim Dau.

AARP Virginia’s media partner for The People’s Debate is Richmond’s WTVR-CBS 6. Moderator for the debate will be CBS 6 anchor Bill Fitzgerald, who has been anchoring the evening news broadcast for more than a decade. Panelists questioning the candidates will be AARP Virginia State President Joyce Williams, of Roanoke, and CBS 6 morning anchor Reba Hollingsworth. Neither Hollingsworth nor Williams will be in the CBS 6 studio with the candidates, moderator, and crew – they will participate virtually via videoconference. Unlike past years, there will not be a studio audience, the studio will be limited to essential personnel, and social distancing will be observed.

“We are grateful that Dr. Gade and Sen. Warner will participate in The People’s Debate to discuss issues important to Virginians and their families,” Dau said. “For voters across Virginia, there’s no substitute for listening directly to candidates to learn how they intend to lead.”

In addition to CBS 6, The People’s Debate will be carried by WJLA 24/7 News, Washington, D.C.; WTKR News 3, Norfolk; ABC 13 WSET, Lynchburg; and, WCAV CBS19 News, Charlottesville. The debate will also be live-streamed on the stations’ website and Facebook pages, as well as AARP Virginia’s Facebook page.

The People’s Debate, which began in 2006, is Virginia’s oldest and most widely broadcast statewide, televised debate. AARP Virginia has traditionally sponsored The People’s Debate for gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races. AARP does not endorse or contribute money to candidates, political parties, or campaigns.

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

ABOUT WTVR CBS 6

WTVR-TV, the South’s First Television Station located on West Broad Street in Richmond, Virginia, is a legacy CBS affiliate owned by the E. W. Scripps Company. The station signed on the air April 22, 1948 as the first TV station granted a license south of the Mason/Dixon line. It was also the 16th television station in the U.S. — and the eighth to be granted a broadcast license. The station’s landmark tower, which sits at 1,049 feet above sea level, was the largest freestanding structure in the country at that time and now stands as a familiar Richmond landmark.

ABOUT AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.


Previous updates:

RICHMOND _ Dr. Daniel Gade and U.S. Senator Mark Warner will face off on Tuesday, October 13 at The People’s Debate, which will be offered to television stations statewide as well as live-streamed.

“Voters need an opportunity to hear directly from candidates on critically important issues impacting their health care and economic security,” said AARP Virginia State Director Jim Dau. “The People’s Debate will let them do that.”

AARP Virginia’s media partner for The People’s Debate is Richmond’s WTVR-CBS 6. AARP Virginia and CBS 6 will select a journalist to serve as moderator.

“The issues important to older voters are just as important to people of all ages,” Dau said. “We are grateful that Dr. Gade and Sen. Warner will participate in The People’s Debate to discuss their positions with voters all across Virginia.”

The People’s Debate, which began in 2006, is Virginia’s oldest and most widely broadcast statewide, televised debate. The 2020 event will take place at 7 p.m. on October 13 in the CBS 6 studio. Due to the pandemic, there will not be a studio audience this year. CBS 6 will distribute the debate to broadcasters statewide in order to make the forum available to voters across Virginia.

Any other potential candidates who, within 45 days of the event, meets eligibility criteria including 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), will also be invited to participate.

AARP Virginia has traditionally sponsored The People’s Debate for gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races. AARP does not endorse or contribute money to candidates, political parties, or campaigns.

With more than 1 million members in Virginia, AARP is the largest organization working on behalf of people age 50+ and their families in the Commonwealth.

To learn more about AARP Virginia, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aarpvirginia and follow @AARPVa on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aarpva.

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.