The office of Jeff Barnett, Democratic challenger for Virginia’s 10th House district seat, issued a press release today stating that Rep. Frank Wolf has refused Mr. Barnett’s call for one debate in each of the counties that comprise the district.

In a statement from the release, Mr. Barnett said:

(V)oters – wherever they live – deserve to see their candidates debate the issues that matter to their communities. Having those discussions is one of the obligations – and privileges – of public service. It’s disappointing that Frank Wolf doesn’t agree.”

It’s not surprising that Rep. Wolf is running scared. Voters are angry at the stalling and obstructionist tactics being practiced by the Republican party these days, and there is also a true anti-incumbent message coming from the voters. A 30-year incumbent who has voted against such measures as affordable health care for all, financial aid reform for college students, and who sided with the Wall Street banks and Big Oil over his constituents should be running scared. Wolf wants to limit debate in order to keep the voters of the 10th District in the dark with regard to his abominable voting record.

The 10th District deserves much better than continued obstruction and obfuscation. It’s time to put someone in Congress who will be accountable to his constituents, who will solve problems in our time and on our dime, and who will not try to run away from votes that run anathema to the well-being of the citizens of his district.

That person is Jeff Barnett.