Virginia’s Sixth Congressional District is the first to kick off the annual debate-over-debates drama ahead of November’s midterm elections for the House of Representatives.
Democratic nominee Beth Macy challenged Republican incumbent Rep. Ben Cline to three debates ahead of Election Day. In a surprising response, Cline agreed to participate in three, something incumbents rarely do.
Macy then responded in a quote to the Roanoke Times, criticizing the debate schedule that Cline agreed to.
“I challenged Rep. Cline to three debates, and I awaited his response to work together to come up with a list of dates and venues. He didn’t respond directly,” Macy said in the statement to the Roanoke Times. “Instead, he issued a blanket announcement of his preferred slate of candidate forums — not actual debates — that amounts to a chicken-you-know-what response.”
Macy told the Roanoke Times that she cannot participate in one of the debates that Cline announced, and said she hopes to negotiate a different event with the Cline campaign.
“I look forward to working with the Cline team on actually scheduling real debates, in good faith. Rep. Cline doesn’t get to make the rules,” Macy said.
In a response on Monday, Cline criticized the Macy campaign.
“My opponent challenged me to three debates, which now appears to be little more than a messaging ploy,” Cline said.
“Whether Rotary, Ruritan, Lions, Kiwanis, or any of the other many service clubs at work throughout the district, these organizations play a critical role serving those in need, strengthening communities, and supporting important charitable causes,” Cline continued. “It is unfortunate that my opponent thinks these groups are not legitimate organizations or capable of successfully sponsoring important events to inform their respective communities.”
Macy is fighting an uphill battle in a district that skews heavily to Republicans.
Cline was elected in 2026 by nearly 30 percentage points.
“Apparently my opponent’s intention was to play political games, because if she were serious about debating me, she would have accepted the same three invitations that I did,” Cline said.