(The Center Square) – Republican U.S. Rep. Ben Cline and Democratic challenger Beth Macy are publicly disputing plans for debates in Virginia’s 6th Congressional District, leaving the candidates without an agreed-upon schedule ahead of the November election.

Cline announced Monday that he accepted invitations to three events with Macy: Sept. 3 at West Oaks Farmers Market in Frederick County, Sept. 10 with the Salem Rotary Club and Oct. 5 with the Harrisonburg Rotary Club.

“I appreciate these opportunities to engage in meaningful dialogue with voters about the issues that matter most in their daily lives,” Cline said in announcing the schedule.

Macy objected to the announcement Tuesday, saying her campaign had not agreed to the events.

“Yesterday, Ben Cline released a phony debate schedule without consultation from my campaign,” Macy wrote on social media.

Macy previously challenged Cline to three in-person debates in different parts of the district, proposing events in Roanoke, Harrisonburg and Winchester between Sept. 25 and Nov. 1.

Cline responded to Macy’s criticism by defending the organizations that invited the candidates, including Rotary and other community service groups.

“My opponent challenged me to three debates, which now appears to be little more than a messaging ploy,” Cline said.

He said he has participated in candidate events throughout his campaigns and called on Macy to accept the same invitations.

“I hope my opponent reconsiders her poor treatment of our community leaders and accepts their invitations to engage in meaningful conversations with voters about the issues that matter to them,” Cline said.

For now, it remains unclear whether Cline and Macy will appear together at any of the three events announced by Cline or reach an agreement on a separate debate schedule.

Cline has represented Virginia’s 6th District since 2019. Macy, an author and journalist, is challenging him in the Nov. 3 general election.

This post was originally published on The Center Square.