Bert Mizusawa said yes. The three-term Democrat senator won’t commit to a single debate, and early voting starts Friday, September 18.

AARP Virginia planned to host The People’s Debate for the U.S. Senate race on October 7 at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond. Republican nominee Bert Mizusawa, a retired Army Major General, accepted the invitation. Senator Mark Warner’s campaign said he could not commit, pointing to “an unsettled and expectedly busy official Senate calendar.” AARP canceled the event. (The Center Square)

That was the only debate between the two nominees on the calendar. (Washington Examiner) When reporters asked whether Warner would debate at any point this fall, his campaign did not answer. (Cardinal News)

This Was Not a Minor Event

The People’s Debate has been held for Virginia’s statewide races since 2006, in partnership with Richmond’s WTVR-CBS 6. AARP bills it as the oldest and most widely broadcast statewide debate in Virginia. (The Center Square)

Warner knows that stage well. In 2020, he debated Republican Daniel Gade three times, and the final debate was sponsored by AARP. (WSLS 10) Six years later, he’s asking Virginians for a fourth term and can’t find a single evening for them.

October 7 is four weeks before Election Day. Every senator running for reelection decides what matters enough to make the calendar. Warner decided this didn’t. His campaign says he’ll keep “speaking directly with voters” around the state. A friendly campaign stop is not the same thing as standing next to your opponent on live television and answering tough questions.

The Questions Warner Would Rather Skip

AARP said the debate would have focused on protecting Social Security and supporting family caregivers. (RealRadio804) Those are the issues seniors care about most, and Warner has a record to explain.

In 2025, Warner voted against the federal bill that gave seniors a new $6,000 tax deduction. The bill passed the Senate 51-50. (Cardinal News) Mizusawa’s campaign put it bluntly: Warner “refuses to explain to senior citizens” that vote. (Potomac Local)

Warner also has a huge money advantage. He has raised more than $25 million, compared with roughly $376,000 for Mizusawa. (VPAP) With that much cash, Warner can flood the airwaves with ads that never talk back. A debate is the one place his money can’t control the conversation.

What You Need To Know:

• Mark Warner (D), U.S. Senator, has been in the Senate since 2009 and is running for a fourth term on November 3.
• He said no to the only debate on the calendar. Bert Mizusawa said yes. Voters lost their chance to compare the two side by side.
• Seniors lost the most. The debate was built around Social Security and caregiving, the issues retirees and their families lose sleep over.
• He found time in 2020. Three debates when it suited him. Zero commitments now.
• This is how one-party rule behaves. Democrats already hold every statewide office in Richmond: Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi, and Attorney General Jay Jones. They control both chambers of the General Assembly too. When a party holds that much power, its leaders start acting like they don’t owe regular families any answers.
• Warner is protecting his party, not serving you. Debates are risky for politicians who answer to donors and the loudest activists. They are essential for common-sense Virginians who want to know what they’re voting for.
• Fairfax has more Democrats on the same ballot. Rep. Don Beyer (VA-8) faces Republican Tony Sabio. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) and Rep. James Walkinshaw (VA-11) are also up. Walkinshaw votes with House Democrats nearly 100% of the time.
• You can change this. Vote early, bring your neighbors, and support the candidate who was willing to show up.

Where Virginia Stands

AARP Virginia’s state director said the group was disappointed that Senator Warner could not commit, and thanked Mizusawa for agreeing to participate. (AARP Virginia via RealRadio804) The two candidates did appear at the same Labor Day event in Buena Vista, but they gave back-to-back speeches and took no questions from moderators. (Cardinal News)

Bert Showed Up. Now Show Up for Bert.

Bert Mizusawa won the Republican nomination in the August 4 primary. (The Center Square) He said yes to Virginia’s biggest debate stage when his opponent wouldn’t. He is running against an incumbent with a massive money advantage, and he can’t close that gap without help from regular Virginians.

Here’s how you can help today:

• Donate: Any amount helps put Bert’s message on the air. Give to Bert for Senate.
• Volunteer: Knock doors, make calls, or work the polls. Sign up at bertforsenate.com.
• Share this article: Send it to friends, family, and neighbors who deserve to know their senator skipped the debate.

Early Voting Starts This Friday

Early voting in Virginia begins this Friday, September 18, 2026, and runs through Saturday, October 31. (Virginia Department of Elections via PC Patriot)

In Fairfax County, early voting opens September 18 at the Fairfax County Government Center, the Mount Vernon Governmental Center, and the North County Governmental Center. Thirteen more locations open on October 22. (Fairfax County Office of Elections)

New this year, every locality offers early voting on two Sundays, October 18 and October 25, plus Saturdays October 24 and October 31. October 23 is the last day to register to vote and the deadline to request a mail ballot. (Augusta Free Press; PC Patriot)

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Cardinal News Voter Guide)

Mark Warner won’t face Bert Mizusawa on a debate stage. He can still face the voters. Early voting begins this Friday, September 18. Cast your ballot, bring a neighbor, and tell everyone you know that Virginia deserves a senator who shows up.

Sources: The Center Square / Just the News · Washington Examiner · Cardinal News · RealRadio804 · Potomac Local · WSLS 10 · VPAP · Fairfax County Office of Elections · PC Patriot · Augusta Free Press · Cardinal News Voter Guide