Democratic U.S. Senate Debates Confirmed

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Press release from the John Dougherty for U.S. Semate campaign:

Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate announce debate series   

Dougherty, Eden and Parraz set debates; Glassman not yet in

PHOENIX (June 24) – A series of three debates is scheduled for three of the four candidates running in the Arizona Democratic primary race for the U.S. Senate.

Candidates confirmed to participate include investigative journalist John Dougherty, Scottsdale attorney Randy Parraz and Arizona State University administrator Cathy Eden. A fourth candidate, Rodney Glassman, has not responded to invitations to participate, initially sent June 2 by Dougherty.

The Dougherty, Eden and Parraz campaigns have tentatively set up three debates: Friday July 9 in Phoenix on KTVK Channel 3; Wednesday July 21 on National Public Radio's Yuma affiliate, KAWC; and Thursday August 5 on National Public Television-affiliate KUAT in Tucson. The times and details will be announced soon.

Glassman has not responded to two invitations by Dougherty to debate, but media reports have quoted Glassman saying he was seeking a more suitable "sponsor" for the debates.

According to Channel 3 officials in Phoenix, the 32-year-old Tucson businessman has agreed to participate in the Phoenix debate. He also told a Tucson blogger he would participate.

Glassman, who has substantial personal wealth derived from his family’s agribusiness and fertilizer manufacturing enterprises in Fresno, Calif., has not communicated his decision to his opponents. 

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Jim Nintzel at the Tucson Weekly followed up with the Rodney Glassman campaign and has this to add. Democratic Debates Confirmed—But How Many Will Glassman Attend?:

U.S. Senate candidate John Dougherty confirms three debates have been set up for the Democrats running for U.S. Senate—but that he still hasn't heard from Rodney Glassman.

Blake Morlock, a spokesman for the Glassman campaign, told us earlier today that he'd be in the Phoenix debate.

Our friends at KUAT-TV will host the Tucson debate.

Note to the Rodney Glassman campaign: all three debates, Dude. You owe it to the voters.