Houck, Reeves Face Off in Debate Tonight

Virginia Senate Candidates Edd Houck and Bryce Reeves face off in a debate tonight at the University of Mary Washington.

The debate begins at 7:30 p.m. in room 116 of Monroe Hall at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.

The debate will be moderated UMW associate professor of political science Rosalyn Cooperman. The debate will be paneled by Dick Hammerstrom, local news editor at the Free Lance-Star and Ted Schubel, news director of News/Talk 1230 WFVA-AM.

The debate is sponsored by the university's Student Government Association Legislative Action Committee and the Kappa Upsilon chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, a political science honor society.

Incumbent Democratic candidate Edd Houck is the director of corporate and community programs for MediCorp. In 2007, Houck retired from Spotsylvania County's school system after 34 years of service.

Republican challenger Bryce Reeves of Spotsylvania County owns an insurance agency. Before he got into the insurance business, Reeves was a law enforcement officer and an Army Ranger.

Virginia's 17th Senatorial District stretches from Culpeper to Fredericksburg to a place called Cookoo, and over to Albermale and Orange counties. Even though the district has a strong Republican base, Sen. Edd Houck has kept his seat for seven terms.

-Staff reports