‘Disappointed’: Allen urges Spanberger to reconsider debate on redistricting ahead of April 21 referendum

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Former Gov. George Allen (R) said he is "disappointed" that Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) declined his invitation to a series of debates on the controversial mid-decade redistricting referendum, though he urges her to reconsider in a televised virtual debate.

On Thursday, April 2, Allen -- who served as governor from 1994 to 1998 -- sent an official letter urging Spanberger to reconsider after she reportedly declined the debate, calling her decision an "her unwillingness" to debate.

"I was disappointed to hear from a newspaper reporter that you declined my invitation to debates on the proposed Virginia Constitutional amendment that would allow General Assembly politicians to draw new congressional district lines in Virginia ahead of the next census," Allen wrote.

This redistricting proposal has been highly controversial. Virginia Democrats argue the proposal is as an attempt to protect democracy after President Donald Trump successfully lobbied several Republican states to redraw their congressional maps to favor Republicans. However, Republicans say the plan is as an attempt at gerrymandering, or the intentional manipulation of electoral maps to unfairly put one party in power.

Under the new map, 10 of Virginia’s 11 congressional districts would favor Democrats at the ballot box, based on historical electoral data.

Currently, Virginia has six Democratic and five Republican representatives in Congress.

In his letter, Allen noted that Spanberger signed the legislation setting April 21 as the referendum date, but argued that Virginia voters "have [had] even less time to become aware that a vote is even taking place, let alone time to consider the proposed significantly changed districts and both sides of this unprecedented action."

Spanberger previously voted “yes” herself on the contested proposal and also became the face of advertisement launched by the YES Campaign, in which she urged voters to vote "yes" on the referendum.

Instead, Allen renewed his invitation under what he called "very simple terms": a one-hour publicly televised virtual debate, in which Spanberger could choose the date and moderate.

"A civil and reasoned discussion of the issues will benefit voters and will set a positive example of integrity and how public issues and policy can be discussed in our Commonwealth," he wrote.

After offering a renewed invitation, Allen reiterated his concerns in interview with WRVA, a Richmond-based news and talk radio station, where he said voters "haven't had a chance to hear both sides."

In the interview, Allen stressed the importance of public input, calling voters “the owners of the government."

After Spanberger declined his invitation, Allen argued a virtual format would make her participation easer.

"People can get on their laptop or their PC or watch it on TV, but it could be a virtual debate," Allen told WRVA. "She doesn't have to leave the governor's mansion or the governor's office. Take one hour, and you'd hear both sides of it. I think it would be very beneficial to the voters, the people of Virginia who are the owners."

Allen is campaigning with No Gerrymandering Virginia, a bipartisan coalition urging voters to reject the redistricting amendment.