AARP Cancels Warner Mizusawa Senate Debate After Incumbent Cannot Commit

AARP Virginia canceled its People's Debate for the U.S. Senate race after Sen. Mark Warner could not commit, Cardinal News reported, leaving no joint televised debate currently locked in.

Retired Army Maj. Gen. Bert Mizusawa, the Republican nominee, had accepted the invitation for the Oct. 7 event at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture with CBS 6. Warner's campaign blamed an unsettled and expectedly busy official Senate calendar and said he will keep campaigning on health costs, affordability and artificial intelligence.

Mizusawa's campaign accused Warner of refusing to explain his opposition to a temporary Social Security tax deduction in last year's federal package. AARP state director Jim Dau said voters deserved a direct exchange on Social Security and caregiving.

The candidates shared a Buena Vista Labor Day stage for back-to-back speeches that were not a debate. Early voting begins Sept. 18. Cook Political Report rates the race solidly Democratic.