After weeks of accusations played out in letters to the editor sent to various newspapers, Supervisor Lori Waters (R-Broad Run) issued a challenge to Republican opponent Jack Ryan, to debate the issues. In the challenge, Waters suggested the two candidates meet for three debates. The debates would include one before members of the press and one in a town hall forum, where residents would be able to pose questions to both candidates.
"Debates give the voters more of a chance to participate in the process," Waters said. "I would be interested in talking about the issues."
As of press time, Waters said she has not received any official response from Ryan or his campaign. She said she had hoped to engage her fellow Republican candidate in a debate on the specific issues facing Loudoun County and the Broad Run District.
"Instead of just criticizing my plan, I want to know how he would have voted on items like the Ridgewater Park CPAM," she said. "I would expect that there would be future applications for that area. How would he have voted on One Loudoun?"
While there has been no direct response from Ryan on the proposed debates, his campaign released a statement Monday, indicating he would not participate in the debates.
"Mr. Ryan is looking forward to his fourth joint appearance with Lori Waters at Leisure World on April 10, having already appeared together with Ms. Waters at two Loudoun County Republican Committee meetings and a March 21 meeting before a Republican women's group," the statement said. "Her smokescreens will not succeed in averting voters' focus from her own record of shifting positions, broken promises, and failure to deliver needed services or relief from exploding taxes and traffic nightmares."
The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Phyllis Randall in November.
— Erika Jacobson