Updated: No debate between Foreman, Surovell

Update 12:30 p.m.

We reported earlier today Democrat Scott Surrovell and Republican Gerald “Jerry” Foreman would meet for a debate in Occoquan later this month. We were wrong, as no debate between the two candidates vying to replace longtime Virginia State Senator Toddy Puller (D-36, Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford), is scheduled.

At first glance, it appeared Surovell had taken it upon himself to schedule a debate himself.

I’ve scheduled 1st debate w/@ForemanVASen36 for 8/26, 7-9pm at Occoquan Town Hall. Hoping for good exchange of ideas! pic.twitter.com/eo4IQarHBW

— Scott Surovell (@ssurovell) August 11, 2015

After seeing the announcement, Potomac Local emailed Foreman campaign manager Shannon Duffy on Tuesday and asked if Surovell’s Tweet was legitimate.  We got this emailed response the next day: 

 

Later in the day, we got this email from the Foreman campaign: 

 

With that statement in hand, we reported the two would soon meet for a debate in Occoquan as noted by the Surovell campaign. 

It turns out we were wrong.

To clarify the confusion created by @ssurovell and @PotomacLocal please see my facebook post below https://t.co/Nqln4N8ZBr

— Jerry Foreman (@ForemanVASen36) August 13, 2015

The Facebook post contains a letter in which he says a blogger Ben Tribbett employed by the Surovell campaign has made scheduling debates difficult. He outlined his thoughts on Tribbett on his website.

 

I’m still not clear whether @ForemanVASen36 is coming to the first debate in Occoquan or not @PotomacLocal

— Scott Surovell (@ssurovell) August 13, 2015

We’ll be sure to post the date, time, and location of any upcoming debate to this post when we have it.

Update 9:41 a.m. 

Potomac Local received a call from Surovell, stating that while we received a statement confirming the debate, his campaign team did not. We have reached out to Foreman for clarification and will keep you updated on the latest.

Original post 9:17 a.m.

Candidates Delegate Scott Surovell and Dumfries Mayor Jerry Foreman will meet for a debate on August 26 in Occoquan.

Surovell and Foreman are running for Virginia’s 36^th district Senate seat that covers parts of Fairfax, Prince William, and Stafford counties.

The seat is being vacated by long time incumbent Senator Toddy Puller, who will be retiring this year.

The debate will be held at the Occoquan Town Hall on 314 Mill Street from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

According to a letter sent from Surovell to Foreman, the debate will be informal without any moderator or set rules, where the candidates can ask each other questions.

Surovell made the initial call for a series of debates for the race at the end of July.

“It’s time for Mayor Foreman to stop hiding behind negative push polls and debate me face to face. I propose we hold a series of debates in every section of the District so the voters can come hear our vision for the Route 1 Corridor,” stated Surovell in a release.

Foreman accepted the request to hold at least six debates before Election Day on November 3.

“I very much look forward to debating Delegate Surovell, and frankly, I am willing to go beyond his offer of six debates, and hold one every week in September and October if he’s willing,” stated Foreman.

*The debate is being hosted independently by the candidates.