Meanwhile, back on the LD-26 cots in Brewer’s bunker . . .

by David Safier

Moments ago, I posted that two LD-26 Republicans, Vic Williams and Terri Proud, took one timid step out of Brewer's bunker and into the light of day. They agreed to participate in an education forum at Foothills High. That doesn't bring the Flowing Wells forum back from the dead after they refused to participate, but still, it's a baby step in the right direction.

Al Melvin has already said he won't be there.

Now I read in a press release from Cheryl Cage, Melvin has pulled out of the one remaining debate between him and Cage. The scheduled Clean Elections debate was unscheduled because everyone in the LD is running traditional, and the one remaining debate was supposed to be hosted by the Explorer newspaper, with the extremely fair and impartial publisher/editor Dave Perry presiding.

[Full disclosure: As I've noted before, I write a column for the Explorer, along with Emil Franzi — me from the left, Franzi from the right.]

MELVIN BACKS OUT OF DEBATES

Tucson, Arizona – Al Melvin has backed out of a planned debate with Cheryl Cage, his opponent in the LD26 state senate race. By refusing to debate Melvin is, once again, demonstrating his disrespect, disinterest and distain towards the voters of LD-26.

On July 21 Melvin agreed to participate in an Explorer-hosted debate with Cheryl Cage.  In an email to the publisher of the Explorer News, Melvin wrote:

“Dave, Count me in. I’m sure you will give this a lot of thought and that you will do your utmost to make the event fair and balanced.”

However, after the venue was set and discussions about format had begun, Mr. Melvin suddenly decided to back out.

“I've been informed that Mr. Melvin does not like the venue. He believes a public high school venue would be an advantage to me." said Cheryl Cage the Democratic candidate for the LD-26 senate seat, “Personally, I can't think of a more appropriate place than a PUBLIC school to have a PUBLIC debate."

With the cancellation of the LD26 Clean Election debate due to the absence of clean elections funded candidates, Mr. Melvin has now refused to face off with Cheryl Cage in any open debate. 

Melvin's refusal also seems to be based on new demands that Mr. Perry hold a similar debate for the LD-26 House candidates on the same date.  “Why is my opponent so worried about a race that has nothing to do with him?" said Ms. Cage. "Mr. Perry and the Explorer agreed to host the debates because the outcome of the LD-26 State Senate race has important implications for Arizona's future.”

‘The bottom line is that Melvin knows that his support for payday lenders, nuclear waste dumps and public education cuts do not reflect the values of our district." Ms. Cage continued, "Voters deserve a venue to ask questions and compare ideas. Mr. Melvin should be ashamed at himself for denying voters this opportunity."

Did Cap'n Atomic Al Melvin actually object to the debate being held at a public school? How perfect! Maybe if the state gave a voucher to some private school to hold the debate, Melvin would be there.