MAGA candidate raises eyebrows by blowing off key debate: 'Not sure what the strategy is'

Right-wing Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears has backed out of the People's Debate with AARP over a "scheduling conflict," prompting the cancellation of the gubernatorial portion of the event.

The debate, to be held on Sept. 16 at Virginia State University, features gubernatorial and Senate candidates and was set to be moderated by CBS 6 anchor Bill Fitzgerald, with a panel of AARP Virginia representatives, VSU figures, and reporters. It has been billed as "the most widely broadcast television debate in Virginia."

AARP Virginia's director Jim Dau issued a statement saying, "Voters of all ages and from all backgrounds all across Virginia deserved the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about what they would do on important issues, and the People's Debate was their best chance to do that. We're disappointed that voters won't be able to hear the candidates' plans to rein in the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs, support family caregivers, and help our state's most vulnerable people by improving the quality of nursing home care."

Earle-Sears' decision was noted as puzzling by Virginia elections podcaster Sam Shirazi.

"Winsome Earle-Sears skips AARP debate but accepts one from CNN," Shirazi posted on X. "Not sure what else she has going on that led to a scheduling conflict. If you are underdog, usually want to debate as much as possible. So not sure what the strategy is."

Earle-Sears is facing off against former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, with current polling suggesting Spanberger has a commanding lead. Democrats are hoping to regain unified control of the state government after a backlash year in 2021 that saw Republicans, led by now-outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin, capture key statewide offices.

The state of her campaign has sent Republican strategists into a panic, as the state party continues to deal with fallout from an internal battle between Youngkin and Lt. Gov. nominee John Reid.