VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WVEC) -- The independent candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District challenged incumbent GOP Scott Taylor to a combined debate-wrestling competition.
Aldo J. DiBelardino, a Virginia Beach resident, even invited the Democratic candidate Elaine Luria to the debate portion.
DiBelardino challenged Scott Taylor on Wednesday to a series of debate-wrestling matches, saying both men are accomplished wrestlers and Harvard educated. The matches would be Virginia High School league rules and standard debate practices.
“In these challenging times, voters need to see candidates’ abilities and agilities, both intellectual and in what some might describe as the ‘sport’ of political prowess in championing the rights of individual Virginian-American citizens," said DiBelardino in a press release. Debate-wrestling will give them that within the context, or ‘on the mat,’ of serious issues-related discussion, lighthearted entertainment and what I anticipate will be a respectful display of sportsmanship among congressional contenders.”
Wrestling promoter Frank Lipoli has even volunteered to coordinate the series.
DiBelardino offered three matches to cover the broad-scope of Virginia Beach. If Taylor accepts, an event will be held in Virginia Beach, the Eastern Shore, and the Peninsula/Williamsburg area.
The inspiration for the debate-wrestling came from an off-beat hybrid sport, chessboxing.
According to our partners at the Virginian Pilot, Taylor's spokesman Scott Weldon said, “Rep. Taylor is currently wrestling in Washington in an Appropriations Committee markup to support our troops.”
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