Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker has expressed interest in participating in a virtual forum after special election opponent Julie Robben Lineberry proposed a series of debates yesterday (Tuesday).
Lineberry, the Republican nominee, “challenged” Bennett-Parker to participate in three debates in a press release yesterday afternoon. In a statement to ALXnow, Bennett-Parker said Lineberry contacted her after publicizing the challenge.
“That message did not include any proposed dates, times, topics, or moderators,” Bennett-Parker said. “I would be glad to participate in a virtual forum organized and moderated by a neutral third party at a mutually agreed-upon date and time.”
Lineberry criticized Democrats’ special election processes in her press release, which proposed debates in Alexandria, Fairfax County and Arlington.
“My opponent and her fellow party members short-cut the processes and assumed an E-ZPass south down I-95 from District 39 to the State Senate. I’m asking Elizabeth to slow down and show respect to her would-be constituents throughout the district and a willingness to earn their votes,” Lineberry said.
“I propose we hold one debate in Alexandria (half of the city isn’t in her House District), one in Arlington, and one in Fairfax. Let’s give everyone at least one chance to see and hear BOTH candidates — listen to their priorities and positions.”
Bennett-Parker and Lineberry will be on the ballot on Tuesday, Feb. 10 to succeed State Sen. Adam Ebbin, who will be fulfilling a role as senior advisor to the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority under Gov. Abigail Spanberger.
Bennett-Parker is currently wrapping up her tenure in Richmond as a 5th District delegate before her Feb. 18 departure. She said her focus “remains where it has always been: doing the work my constituents sent me to Richmond to do, listening to our community, and delivering results that move our Commonwealth forward.”
“In the past week, I passed a historic proposed constitutional amendment on voting rights out of the General Assembly, passed several bills out of subcommittee including legislation to provide free breakfast for students and two bills brought to me directly by constituents, and met with thirteen constituent groups,” Bennett-Parker said.
Lineberry, a realtor, said she is running “to fight for affordability and to be an independent check on one-party rule in Richmond.”
Bennett-Parker’s priorities include “economic opportunity for all,” modernizing infrastructure and protecting reproductive, LGBTQ+, disability and voting rights.
Early voting for the Feb. 10 election begins Saturday, Jan. 31.
