PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY/NEXSTAR) – Nexstar Media Group is hosting a senatorial debate between Virginia Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine and his Republican challenger, Hung Cao.
A live multi-market telecast of the debate is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.. It will be held at the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center on the campus of Norfolk State University (NSU) in Norfolk and be televised statewide to give all Virginians an opportunity to hear from the candidates. WAVY TV 10 is among the Virginia stations airing the debate. It will also stream live on WAVY.com.
The debate will originate from WAVY-TV 10 in Portsmouth and air on television stations and digital platforms serving the Commonwealth, including WRIC-TV in Richmond, WFXR-TV in Roanoke, WDVM-TV in Hagerstown, MD, and WDCW-TV in Washington, D.C. WJHL-TV in Johnson City, TN will also carry the debate.
Nexstar’s cable news network, NewsNation, will also carry the debate nationwide.
The debate will be moderated by news anchors Tom Schaad of WAVY-TV 10 and Deanna Allbrittin of WRIC-TV.
Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, President of Norfolk State University, expressed the institution’s pride in hosting this critical debate: “Norfolk State University is honored to host this important forum — the region’s only live senatorial debate with our media partner WAVY-10. Whether local or national, every election is important. Our civic engagement in that process is vital. NSU is proud to serve as the venue where the candidates can express their policy positions and provide voters with information before they head to the polls. In addition, this debate will provide the Spartan community with an opportunity to witness the political process in real-time.”
Carol Ward, Vice President and General Manager of WAVY-TV 10 also emphasized the significance of the event: “As Your Local Election Headquarters, WAVY-TV 10 is committed to providing our viewers with in-depth coverage of the issues that matter most. With our broadcast partners across Nexstar, we’re proud to play a key role in facilitating this debate, ensuring that Virginians have the information they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box.”
After accepting the invitation to participate in this debate, Republican U.S. Senate candidate, CAPT Hung Cao USN (Ret.), issued this statement:
“Sen. Tim Kaine is loyal to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris – not Virginia. Under Tim Kaine and Joe Biden, there is more crime, higher inflation, higher taxes, higher tuition costs and more dependence on foreign oil. Virginians are worse off under Tim Kaine and that’s why I am running for U.S. Senate. I am pleased to have the opportunity to finally force Sen. Kaine to answer for his leadership failures since taking office 30 years ago.”
Sen. Kaine issued a news release in June after accepting three debates across Virginia, including the one at NSU. His campaign released this statement after Cao accepted the invitation.
“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,” said Michael Beyer, Kaine’s communications director. “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.”
THE VIRGINIA SENATE DEBATE PARTNER STATIONS
| Station | Network | Market | Station Website | Social |
| WAVY-TV | NBC | Norfolk, VA | wavy.com | @WAVY_news |
| WRIC-TV | ABC | Richmond, VA | wric.com | @8News |
| WFXR-TV | FOX | Roanoke, VA | wfxrtv.com | @WFXRnews |
| WDVM-TV | IND | Hagerstown, MD | dcnewsnow.com | @DCNewsNow |
| WDCW-TV | CW | Washington, D.C. | dcnewsnow.com | @DCNewsNow |
| WJHL-TV | CBS/ABC | Johnson City, TN | whjl.com | @WJHL11 |