Kaine announces three debates, but doesn't name opponent

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) announced Thursday that he would be participating in three debates between July 20 and Oct. 2 during the lead up to the November general election, in which he will face newly selected Republican nominee Hung Cao, who won this month's Republican Party primary.

But in a release announcing the three events and their dates and locations, Kaine's office did not indicate who else would be participating in the debates nor mention Cao by name.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that Cao's campaign was surprised by the announcement since Cao had not yet been invited to the debates but said he was looking forward to participating in debates in the coming months.

The first debate announced by Kaine will take place on July 20 at the Omni Homestead in Hot Springs, sponsored by the Virginia Bar Association. The second debate will take place Sept. 19 in McLean, sponsored by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, and the third is scheduled for Oct. 2 in Norfolk in partnership with WAVY-TV and Nexstar Media.