09/07/2026
Morgan Griffith refused to debate Joy Powers.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 09/04/2026
[email protected]
joyforva.com
Morgan Griffith Refuses Debates With Joy Powers, Says Voters “Already Know” Where He Stands
Bedford, V A — Congressman Morgan Griffith has declined Democratic nominee Joy Powers’ challenge to
participate in three public debates across Virginia’s Ninth Congressional District before the November election.
In a letter to Powers, Griffith wrote that “the people of the Ninth District already know where I stand” and said he
would rather spend the fall “listening” to voters than “trading rehearsed lines” with Powers on a stage.
“Morgan Griffith says he would rather spend the fall ‘listening’ to the people of the Ninth District than debate me,”Powers said.
“If he were actually listening, he would know they have questions.”
Powers challenged Griffith on Aug. 24 to three debates — one in far Southwest Virginia, one in the New River
Valley, and one on the eastern end of the Ninth District. Her proposal called for mutually agreed-upon locations,
moderators and formats, with questions coming directly from voters across the district.
“Our campaign offered three fair debates: mutually agreed-upon locations, a mutually agreed-upon moderator, and
questions from real voters across the Ninth District. Congressman Griffith calls that ‘staged.’ I call it accountability.”
Griffith has represented Virginia’s Ninth Congressional District in Congress since 2011.
“After 16 years in Washington, he should be able to stand in front of the people he represents and answer for his
record,” Powers said.
“A debate is not a favor to me. It is something he and I owe to the people asking us to
represent them.”
In his response, Griffith defended his record, saying he “will not apologize for supporting a law that lowers costs”
and “puts money back in the pockets of the working families of this district.”
Powers said Griffith’s claims do not answer the questions she hears from voters across the district.
“Why has federal spending continued to balloon on his watch? Why is he so determined to bring massive data
centers into Southwest Virginia? And if Congressman Griffith says the legislation he has supported is really lowering
costs, why aren’t families here feeling it?”
Powers said those are exactly the kinds of questions voters should have the opportunity to hear both candidates
answer side by side.
“Congressman Griffith can reconsider at any time,” Powers said. “I’m ready.”
For press inquiries, please contact Brendon Bordwine at [email protected] or (276) 206-5462.
# # #
