Bob McDonnell, Republican gubernatorial nominee and former Attorney General of Virginia, proposed Wednesday a formal series of ten gubernatorial debates, taking place statewide, between himself and Democratic nominee Creigh Deeds.

McDonnell proposes that the debates begin with the already agreed to Virginia Bar Association debate taking place in Deeds' home county July 25 and conclude with a final debate at the Rotunda on the grounds of Thomas Jefferson's University of Virginia October 20, exactly two weeks before Election Day.

This proposal has been formally presented to the Deeds campaign in a letter from McDonnell Campaign Manager Phil Cox.

Speaking about the invitation to Deeds to participate in ten formal debates focused on the pressing issues facing the citizens of the Commonwealth, McDonnell states, "With unemployment over seven percent, and Virginians facing significant challenges from job creation to transportation to education, we need a gubernatorial campaign focused on the issues. Virginians are tired of sound bite campaigns. They want to know where the candidates stand on the issues of today. And they want to hear this directly from the candidates. This series of ten gubernatorial debates statewide from July through October will reinvigorate political discourse in Virginia, and ensure that this race is marked by a serious discussion of the major issues facing the Commonwealth.

"It would be an honor to travel the state from late July through late October debating Creigh on jobs, transportation, education, economic development, health care, the environment, public safety, taxes and spending in front of audiences in every region. I anticipate that each debate will be available to voters statewide online and through radio, print and television outlets. These debates would keep the focus of this campaign where it belongs: on the issues. I hope Creigh will agree that Virginians deserve to hear from the two candidates for Virginia's highest office directly, and together, as often as is possible. I look forward to receiving Creigh's positive reply to this proposal for a formal series of ten gubernatorial debates."

In proposing this debate schedule, the McDonnell campaign incorporated various invitations received in recent weeks. The campaign has not received a formal debate invitation from any organization in Southwest Virginia, but believes it is important the region play host to a debate as part of this series.

Any organization wishing to host a Southwest Virginia debate is encouraged to submit a proposal to the McDonnell and Deeds campaigns.

The McDonnell campaign will work with the Deeds campaign and all debate organizers to ensure that the dates, and locations, for the ten-debate series work for all parties.

Currently, the first debate is scheduled for July 25 at the Homestead Resort in Bath County.

Other debates are proposed for August 5 in Chesapeake, August 28 in Southwest Virginia (location TBD), September 17 at the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, September 22 at Radio One Studios in Richmond, September 27 at the CNN Studios in Washington, D.C., October 6 at the WJLA Studios in Arlington with YouTube, October 9 in Roanoke, and another in Richmond October 12.

The final debate may take place October 20 at the Rotunda at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.