Ken Cuccinelli asks Virginia debate organizers to raise bar for third-party candidates

Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli has asked organizers of a debate two weeks before Election Day to raise the threshold for a third-party candidate to participate, according to one of the debate sponsors.

Cuccinelli, who has called for more than a dozen debates around the state, informally agreed to a debate Oct. 24 on Virginia Tech’s campus but has not officially signed on. Kelly Zuber, news director for debate sponsor WDBJ in Roanoke, said the Republican’s campaign “had several questions [about the debate rules] which we answered today, so I’m sure they are considering that information now.” Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe has signed on and agreed to the rules.