Henrico voters will hold a Rep. Wittman town hall — sans Wittman
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A group of Henrico County constituents says U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman won't hold an in-person town hall, so they're putting one on for him.
Why it matters: Wittman will not be there; the Republican congressman declined the invitation, organizers tell Axios. But the constituents hope Saturday's "in-absentia town hall" can be a venue to have their voices heard.
- "Even if our representative isn't in the room, we believe our concerns deserve to be," organizers said in a statement.
The big picture: Early last month, GOP leadership urged House Republicans to stop doing in-person town halls and instead host tele-town halls, Axios' Andrew Solender reported.
- The switch was because the in-person events were being "hijacked" by Democratic activists and liberal groups trying to bait lawmakers into confrontational moments, sources told Solender.
- Since then, most GOP lawmakers have complied as Democrats and other groups have stepped in to host their own out-of-district or "empty chair" town halls.
How it works: These in-absentia events are generally held without elected officials from either party, but they still draw hundreds of attendees, who direct their questions, concerns and ire to an empty chair, The Independent reports.
- In some cases, the town halls have featured a photo of the absent lawmaker propped atop an empty chair.
Zoom in: Saturday's "in-absentia town hall" is being held by Democracy Circle RVA, which describes itself as a "group of Henrico/Richmond friends and neighbors who are worried about attacks on our democratic institutions," organizer Jenny Pribble tells Axios.
- The event is for residents of Wittman's district, Virginia's 1st Congressional District, which includes parts of Henrico and Chesterfield.
- Residents, Pribble says, want to discuss their concerns about the country's leadership and the state of the nation, with each other and their congressman.
Last month, the group met with Wittman and hand-delivered a letter signed by 79 of his constituents asking for an in-person town hall.
- Wittman declined, but the group decided to host the event anyway. The group plans to record it and deliver the recording to Wittman.
What they're saying: "Congressman Wittman recently held a live telephone town hall that reached over 9,000 constituents. Anyone who tuned in could see he was willing to answer tough questions — even from those who disagree with him," a Wittman spokesperson said in a statement to Axios.
- Wittman has also hosted in-person roundtables and other events for "face-to-face interaction with constituents," the spokesperson added.
If you go: The 1st District town hall will be at Twin Hickory Public Library in Short Pump on Saturday from 10:30am-12:30pm. Registration is encouraged.
- Residents who want to attend Wittman's next telephone town hall can sign up on his website to find out when it will be.