HOT SPRINGS, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) -The Virginia Bar Association has canceled its July 20 senatorial debate between incumbent Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican nominee Hung Cao after being “unable to obtain a timely commitment to participate from the Cao campaign.” The group announced the debate on June 21, “continuing a tradition started in 1985,” as part of its annual summer meeting at The Homestead in Hot Springs.

The VBA stated they contacted Virginia’s Republican Party chair weeks before the June 21 announcement, intending to formally invite the primary winner to the debate. Cao was invited just before this announcement. Kaine accepted, but Cao has not responded. A Kaine release accusing Cao of “dodging” the VBA debate notes Kaine has accepted two other debate invitations: one on September 19 hosted by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, and another on October 2 at Norfolk State University.

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