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UMW to Host Public Debate for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District

The University of Mary Washington will host a public political debate between challengers for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. Independent candidate Alaha Ahrar, Libertarian candidate Taner Lopez and Republican candidate Doug Ollivant will meet in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium.

The debate will be moderated by UMW Professor of Political Science Rosalyn Cooperman. It is hosted by Mary Washington’s Student Government Association, and co-sponsored by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women Voters of the Fredericksburg Area and The Free Lance-Star. The event is free and no tickets are required. Viewing also is available via Zoom at https://go.umw.edu/2026debate.

WFVA Radio News Director Ted Schubel and a representative from The Free Lance-Star will ask questions of the candidates. Audience members will be able to submit questions for consideration before the start of the event, and Cooperman will pose a sampling of them to the candidates.

Virginia’s 7th Congressional District is widely considered one of the nation’s most competitive congressional districts. It’s composed of all of Caroline, Culpeper, Greene, King George, Madison, Orange, Spotsylvania and Stafford counties, plus the City of Fredericksburg, as well as the southeastern half of Prince William County and a small sliver of Albemarle County.

Candidates accepting the debate invitation include:

Originally from Afghanistan, Alaha Ahrar lives in Dumfries. A recognized social justice and human rights expert, she is chief executive officer of International Kindness Sharing. Ahrar holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and international affairs from the University of Mary Washington and a master’s degree in social justice and human rights from George Mason University.

Taner Lopez lives in Locust Grove. A former college professor, he currently works as a cultural advisor for U.S. government agencies. Lopez earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish language and literature, a master’s degree in religions and cultures, and a doctoral degree in theology from the University of Murcia in Spain.

A retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, Doug Ollivant lives in Culpeper. He is a managing partner at the global consulting firm Mantid International, LLC, and has served as a director on the National Security Council and taught politics at West Point. Ollivant holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wheaton College, an MBA from James Madison University and a doctoral degree in political science from Indiana University Bloomington.

“Debates provide direct insight into candidates’ priorities, demeanor and ability to handle pressure,” said UMW Student Government Association President William Goodman. “It’s crucial that students, and the broader VA-07 community, see how their potential representatives engage with the community they aim to serve.”

The following items are not allowed in the debate venue: vape pens, food/beverages, backpacks, pyrotechnics, weapons, airhorns or noisemakers, banners or signs, disruptive behavior.