On Sunday, the Northwest Conservatives cancelled their scheduled debate for the candidates in the CD2 Republican Primary tonight due to the last minute decision to pull out of the event by candidate Shelley Kais.
According to the Tucson Sentinel, “the Republican group called off a CD2 congressional debate, pointing a finger at Martha McSally for declining to participate. The group Northwest Conservatives had blasted McSally on Thursday, accusing her of “hiding” from voters and her primary opponents.”
The Sentinel reported that GOP candidates Chuck Wooten and Shelley Kais had agreed to appear at the debate.
Kais pulled out of the event when McSally declined to appear, the group said in a press release Saturday. Kais did not respond to a request by the Sentinel for a comment.
On Monday, after public outcry, McSally ’s campaign released a statement claiming that she was participating in debates.
The McSally release read:
“Debates are a great opportunity to share important viewpoints and dive past the sound bites to more complex stances on the issues facing Southern Arizonans. We need to ensure a strong national defense, roll back government overreach, and kick start our economy to bring better jobs and opportunity to the people here in our community,” said McSally. “People I speak with on the campaign trail are tired of the same-old empty promises from Washington politicians. We are looking for leaders who can offer new solutions, and I bring a new perspective and the experience needed to change the status quo.”
The dates and locations of the two debates are listed below.
Thunder Mountain Republican Women’s Club Debate
Sierra Vista
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Now, McSally’s honesty or judgment is being called into question by Sierra Vista residents, who say that the event McSally is calling a debate is not, nor was ever intended to be a debate.
One resident provided a copy of the invitation to the event sent out in May by the group. The invitation describes the event as only an invitation to speak:
From: appydaz2@msn.com
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2014 3:30 PM
Subject: Thunder Mountain Republican Women’s Club invitation to speak July 22,, 2014Candidates for Congressional District 2 AZ
The Thunder Mountain Republican Women’s Club is extending an invitation to you or your representative to speak at our club meeting forum on Tuesday, July 22, 2014. Our meeting is called to order at 11 A. M., so you can be there a little earlier to put your brochures out and meet and greet our members and associates. We meet at Pueblo del Sol Country, 2770 St. Andrews Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ. This is off Buffalo Soldier Trail or SR Hwy 92 S.
We will be sending a few questions to you in advance for you to be ready to answer. You will have about a total of 10 minutes. If for some reason you are unable to make the meeting, you may send your answers to me and I will make sure your responses are read.
Please respond to me soonest so we can get publicity out.
Thanks,
Enid Reinhart
VP1, Programs, TMRW
In their statement, the Northwest Conservatives said the debate date and facility they chose were “selected as a convenient time and central location to allow a vast amount of voter access to the candidates at a time when they are off work,” and believed it was “unfortunate that many CD 2 voters will not have the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates before early balloting.”
There will be one debate It is scheduled for Saturday, July 27 in the rural community of Green Valley. All three candidates are expected to attend. The Republican Club of Green Valley is putting on the event at the Quail Creek Country Club, home of Shelly Kais.
For his part, Wooten has planned to use the time and location selected by the Northwest Conservatives to host a town hall meeting to discuss the issues of importance to the residents of CD2. Wooten says he will present his “priorities, positions, and plans.” There will also be an opportunity for questions and answers, and the event is open to the public.