Senate candidates Hung Cao and Sen. Tim Kaine to debate in Norfolk
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Hung Cao agreed to debate Democratic incumbent Tim Kaine in Hampton Roads after declining an earlier opportunity.
“Our campaign has accepted an invitation by Nexstar Media Group to debate on October 2nd,” Cao wrote Wednesday on social media. “The debate will take place at Norfolk State University in Norfolk and be televised statewide where all Virginians have the opportunity to see and hear from @timkaine and myself.”
Cao, no stranger to controversy, previously declined to face Kaine. The Virginia Bar Association announced last month it had canceled its debate — a longstanding tradition — at the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs after Cao would not commit to participating.
Cao’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday regarding why he agreed to the debate at NSU.
The Norfolk debate might be the only matchup between the candidates. Another debate, hosted by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, is slated for Sept. 19 but Cao has not publicly said whether he will attend.
Michael Beyer, communications director for Kaine’s campaign, said the senator is looking forward to the event.
“It’s great that the debate will be held in Norfolk because it will provide Cao with the perfect opportunity to apologize directly to hardworking NATO employees for calling them ‘lazy,'” Beyer said in a statement. “Senator Kaine has always shown up for Virginians and looks forward to debating at Norfolk State University to discuss how he has lowered the cost of prescription drugs, invested in our roads and bridges, and supported military families and veterans.”
During a May campaign event with the Log Cabin Republicans of Richmond, Cao criticized employees with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization — a major employer in Norfolk.
“They are freaking lazy,” Cao said in an audio recording provided to The Virginian-Pilot. “They just don’t do (expletive). They don’t do anything.”
Cao, a Navy veteran, beat four other contenders to secure the Republican nomination this year.
Kaine has held the seat since he was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2012.
Katie King, katie.king@virginiamedia.com
