Update: Cline Appears Without Democratic Opponent at Winchester Congressional Event

U.S. Rep. Ben Cline appeared Thursday night at a congressional candidate event in Winchester without his Democratic opponent, Beth Macy, turning what organizers had planned as a debate into a discussion with the incumbent congressman.

The event, hosted by the Small Business Freedom Alliance at West Oaks Farm & Market, was described by Cline’s campaign as the first of three debates the Republican congressman has agreed to attend during the 2026 campaign for Virginia’s 6th Congressional District.

Macy did not attend Thursday’s event. The information provided by Cline’s campaign said Macy had publicly called for three debates in recent weeks, but it did not include a statement from Macy or her campaign explaining her absence.

Without both candidates present, voters at the Winchester event did not have the opportunity to hear Cline and Macy debate or respond directly to the same questions.

Instead, Cline discussed several issues with those attending, including taxes, the cost of living, immigration and border security, public safety, and other concerns affecting district residents.

“It was a tremendous conversation with people from the district who came out to voice their concerns and hear what candidates have to say about the issues facing our community,” Cline said.

“We talked about cutting taxes and keeping the cost of living down, securing the border and maintaining safe neighborhoods,” he continued. “It was an excellent discussion, and I look forward to the next two scheduled debates, when maybe I will have an opponent.”

Cline also used the appearance to discuss small businesses and farmers, as well as his work in Congress.

His campaign characterized his record as one focused on cutting taxes and reducing regulations affecting small businesses and agricultural operations. Those descriptions reflect the campaign’s characterization of Cline’s congressional record.

Veterans and their federal benefits were another subject discussed during the event. Cline highlighted his work on veterans issues and efforts he says are intended to protect benefits earned through military service.

The Winchester gathering comes as Cline and Macy campaign for the 6th District seat in the November election.

Thursday’s event was the first of three candidate forums or debates to which Cline has accepted invitations, according to his campaign.

The next is scheduled to be hosted by the Salem Rotary Club on Sept. 10. Another event is scheduled with the Harrisonburg Rotary Club on Oct. 5.

The material provided by Cline’s campaign did not indicate whether Macy has accepted invitations to either of those events.

It also did not provide information from Macy’s campaign about Thursday’s Winchester event, including whether she declined an invitation, had a scheduling conflict, or chose not to participate for another reason.

The absence of one candidate is significant because debates and candidate forums give voters an opportunity to compare candidates at the same event, hear their positions on issues, and see how they respond to questions and each other’s arguments.

That direct comparison did not occur Thursday night.

Instead, Cline had the opportunity to discuss his positions and congressional record with those attending without a response from his Democratic challenger.

Whether voters will have the opportunity to see the two candidates appear together at either of the remaining scheduled events will depend on both campaigns’ participation.

Macy’s campaign later disputed the suggestion that she had simply chosen not to attend the Sept. 3 Winchester event.

Campaign manager Wynn Morris said the Small Business Freedom Alliance was notified on Aug. 15 that Macy already had another event scheduled for Sept. 3 and would not be able to attend the candidate forum.

Morris also said Macy had accepted an invitation from Cardinal News to debate Cline at Roanoke College in September, but said Cline had not agreed to participate.

“We hope the Congressman reconsiders his stance against debates with moderators and rebuttal time, all taking place in a venue open to the public,” Morris said. “Candidate forums are valuable, and Beth will appear at such an event in Harrisonburg on Oct. 5, but they are not debates.”

Brad Skipper, chairman of the Shenandoah County Democratic Committee, also provided his account of an encounter between Macy and Cline at the Shenandoah County Fair.

Skipper said he was present when Macy approached Cline near the Republican booth and asked about holding three debates across the district, including a moderated debate proposed by Cardinal News in Roanoke.

According to Skipper, Cline said he had already agreed to participate in three previously scheduled events. Skipper said Macy responded that she had not agreed to those events and that her campaign had not been contacted by Cline’s campaign about them.

Skipper also said Cline gave Macy his personal cellphone number during the conversation. He said Macy and Morris later attempted to contact Cline but did not receive a response.

Skipper acknowledged that the quotes he provided from the fairgrounds conversation were not verbatim, but said he stood by the substance of his account.

The competing statements highlight a disagreement between the campaigns over what should qualify as a debate and which events the candidates have agreed to attend. Macy’s campaign says it prefers a moderated debate format with rebuttal time and public access, while Cline has pointed to the candidate forums he previously agreed to attend.

Macy is expected to appear at a Harrisonburg candidate event on Oct. 5, according to her campaign.