McAuliffe and Youngkin meet for the first debate of the gubernatorial race

After months of back and forth comments over debate participation, gubernatorial candidates Glenn Youngkin (R) and Terry McAuliffe (D) met for a face-to-face debate Thursday night in the town of Grundy at the Appalachian School of Law. Both candidates continued the direct attacks that their campaigns have been waging throughout the summer.

During the debate, Youngkin would not directly answer an abortion question, McAuliffe avoided a question on repealing Right to Work laws, and both candidates said they would not support repealing qualified immunity for law enforcement.

They sparred with each other constantly throughout the debate, often speaking over their time limit or dropping little remarks in tight gaps of time. “Relax Glenn I don’t want you to pass out,” McAuliffe said to Youngkin after he kept talking over his limit.

“I think this might be the new model of debating moving forward,” said Richard Meagher, a professor of political science at Randolph Macon College. “I think that the Trump debates kind of reset what people’s expectations are.” .. (Excerpts from Virginia Political Newsletter)