CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Former Virginia Gov. George Allen, a Republican who served from 1994 to 1998, is challenging current Gov. Abigail Spanberger to a series of debates on redistricting ahead of the April 21 referendum.
Allen personally delivered a letter to Spanberger’s office, voicing his opposition to redrawing congressional maps in the commonwealth.
“If you’re confident that your ideas and your candidates are so great, you ought not fear the people,” Allen said.
He added, “She may have good answers for it. But I think it’s important to look the people in the eyes, be accessible to the people. Not just run 30-second ads. Have a discussion.”
Allen is campaigning with No Gerrymandering Virginia, a bipartisan coalition urging voters to reject the redistricting amendment.
“This issue of gerrymandering is something that I’m personally passionate about,” Allen said.
So far, Allen said he has not received a response from Spanberger.
Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said Allen’s debate invitation is unusual.
“The ‘no’ campaign is being outspent enormously by the ‘yes’ campaign. Well, what is one way to even that up at least a bit? Have a free television debate,” Sabato said.
Sabato, a former UVA classmate of Allen, said he believes Spanberger is unlikely to accept the debate invitation.
“There’s nothing in it for her,” Sabato said.
A spokesperson for Spanberger released a statement, saying the governor has been clear in her support of the referendum:
Governor Spanberger has made her support of this referendum clear, and she is encouraging every eligible Virginian to vote yes. Importantly, she believes voters have the information they need to make an informed decision. Voters know the proposed map because the General Assembly has passed it. Voters know that this process preserves Virginia’s bipartisan commission for the next post-Census redistricting. Voters know that this referendum is a responsive action because other states have chosen to appease a President who said he is ‘entitled’ to more Republican seats in Congress. Virginia will only make a change — even a temporary one — if the people choose to support it. Governor Spanberger is focused on the work of governing — reviewing and taking action on the more than 1,100 bills the General Assembly passed, and will continue to make sure voters know to make their voices heard by April 21.