Landes, Marrow welcome TNV debate

Incumbent House District 25 Del. Steve Landes and Democratic challenger Greg Marrow will debate Sept. 24 at Kate Collins Middle School, The News Virginian announced Thursday.

The newspaper is sponsoring the debate and will work with its news partner, NBC29, on moderating the event.

Both candidates say they welcome the chance to answer questions together in a campaign that took a sharp negative turn this week.

“These things are always important,’’ said Landes. “I’ve had town meetings almost every year since I’ve taken office. It’s communicating with the people you represent. People know me. They don’t know who Greg Marrow is. It’s more important for him.”

Marrow said it is vital for the public to see the candidates side-by-side.

“Both of us get to answer the same questions and each others questions,’’ he said.

Marrow on Thursday called on Landes to apologize for remarks he made last month comparing White House tactics to the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.

Landes refused to apologize, He cited a White House Web blog that last month asked people to forward to a White House e-mail address e-mail correspondence and Web sites spreading misinformation about health care reform. That, he said, was an example of the White House tracking names.

White House officials deny using e-mails they receive to track opponents.

Marrow said it also important to focus on state rather than federal issues that state delegates have no impact on.

Marrow said he is using his campaign Web site to make voters aware of his platform as well as to solicit volunteers and campaign donations.

While the challenger said the Internet does not replace canvassing, “it offers access to me as a candidate.”