Less than two weeks ago WHRV and its sister station WHRO, both part of a local public news network, reported that Rep. Scott Taylor’s paid campaign staff had collected petition signatures to get an independent candidate onto the ballot.
Days later, the station reported that four people listed on the petitions never signed them and held an interview with a woman whose deceased husband was listed on the petitions.
Last night, the Virginian Pilot first reported that Scott Taylor called debate sponsor WHRO himself and dropped out of a planned October debate with his Democratic challenger Elaine Luria because of the network’s discovery and coverage of the scandal.
A quick reminder: the potential petition forgery by Taylor’s campaign is the focus of a special prosecutor appointed last week.
“The once-brash Congressman Scott Taylor is now too scared to debate his opponent and appears to be completely melting down under the pressure of a mounting scandal that has his campaign in the crosshairs of a special prosecutor.” – DCCC Spokesperson Jacob Peters
HEADLINES, VIDEO, KEY EXCERPTS:
The Virginian Pilot: Rep. Taylor drops out of debate as Democrats file suit to block to Shaun Brown from 2nd Congressional District ballot
“U.S. Rep. Scott Taylor has withdrawn from a planned WHRO-sponsored Oct. 23 debate with Democratic candidate Elaine Luria because he is upset with the station’s news coverage of a controversy involving his campaign staff helping an independent candidate get on the ballot, WHRO president Bert Schmidt said Monday.
“[…] According to Schmidt, Taylor, a Virginia Beach Republican seeking a second two-year term, told him in a phone call last week that he was backing out of the WHRO’s debate because of its coverage of the claims of false signatures. Schmidt said Monday he defended their coverage, saying it was fair and factual.”
WVEC: Rep. Scott Taylor drops out of debate against Democratic opponent Elaine Luria
WAVY: Taylor pulls out of WHRO debate amid Shaun Brown scandal
WTKR: Rep. Scott Taylor pulls out of WHRO debate, cites bias by employee of station
WATCH HERE: WTKR
WATCH HERE: WVEC
WATCH HERE: WAVY