ARIZONA NEWS

Katie Hobbs won’t debate Kari Lake, but candidates will appear at 2 forums

Sep 7, 2022, 11:58 AM

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs (left, AP Photo) and Republican candidate for governor Kari ...

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs (left, AP Photo) and Republican candidate for governor Kari Lake (Facebook Photo/The Kari Lake)

(Facebook Photo/The Kari Lake)

PHOENIX – Democrat Katie Hobbs won’t agree to debate Republican Kari Lake, but Arizona’s gubernatorial candidates have committed to appearing onstage during the same event at least twice before the November election.

The first forum is set for Wednesday evening, but if you haven’t already signed up to attend you won’t be able to watch it. Public registration for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s gubernatorial candidate forum is closed, and it won’t be broadcast or livestreamed.

The hourlong event at the Republic National Distributing Company of Arizona in Phoenix starts at 5:30 p.m. Each candidate will get about 20 minutes of time on stage with moderator Annie Vogt, vice president of communications for the Arizona Chamber.

Lake and Hobbs are also booked to participate in an Oct. 3 town hall at the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix as part of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce national convention.

That event, which runs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., will be broadcast, but details about how it will air have not been released. Seating at the Herberger Theater Center is limited to 750 guests.

U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President Ramiro Cavazos and Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President Monica Villalobos will also speak during the town hall.

With the midterm general elections about two months away, Hobbs has only agreed to participate in events with Lake where the candidates don’t appear at the same time.

Last week, Hobbs, Arizona’s current secretary of state, turned down an invitation from the Citizens Clean Elections Commission to face Lake in a traditional televised debate on Oct. 12.

Lake, a political newcomer and former local news anchor, says she’ll debate Hobbs at any time and place and even let her write the questions.

Hobbs has suggested having each candidate interviewed separately for 30 minutes by local PBS host Ted Simons, who could ask whatever he wanted. Each candidate would also get one minute for opening and closing remarks under her proposal.

The Clean Elections Commission said Friday it is reviewing Hobbs’ proposal.

Hobbs cited June’s off-the-rails primary debate between the four Republicans vying for their party’s nomination as the reason she won’t debate Lake. The GOP candidates constantly talked over each other and the moderator, leading Lake to say, “I feel like I’m on an ‘SNL’ skit here.”

Video highlights of the GOP debate went viral and were the target of ridicule.

The Clean Elections Commission is sponsoring debates in all contested statewide and legislative races before the Nov. 8 election. The events are televised by Arizona PBS, livestreamed and archived for rewatching.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona News

Integrated Biometrics Chandler Arizona 2025...

Serena O'Sullivan

Integrated Biometrics expanding its Chandler research facility

PHOENIX — Companies curious about incorporating biometrics into their workflows can now visit a Chandler research facility to test new technologies through interactive exhibits. Integrated Biometrics, a South Carolina-based company, has a facility in Chandler near Kyrene Road and Chandler Boulevard. The company recently expanded its Chandler facility by around 8,000 square feet, according to […]

46 minutes ago

Arizona State Parks and Trails will raise fees....

Lance Hartzler

Arizona State Parks and Trails fees to increase at more than 30 locations

PHOENIX — Visitors to Arizona parks and trails are going to be paying a little more starting on Feb. 25. Arizona State Parks and Trails, which does not rely on taxpayer dollars to operate parks, announced Thursday that the agency will increase fees on entrances, camping and tour tickets for its 33 locations to help […]

1 hour ago

fentanyl pills, fentanyl bust Phoenix...

KTAR.com

Weekend Wrap: Here are the biggest Phoenix news stories from Feb. 7-9

Here are some of the top Valley news stories from Feb. 7-9, including a Phoenix man being pulled over with more than 100,000 fentanyl pills.

13 hours ago

Economists foresee labor shortages in construction and agriculture as a result of President Donald ...

Matthew DeWees and Katrina Michalak/Cronkite News

Donald Trump’s mass deportations could mean higher costs and labor shortages in Arizona

Deportations ordered by President Trump could hit Arizona’s agriculture and construction sectors hard, pushing up prices for shoppers.

17 hours ago

Immigration Arizona criminal charges 565 people USAO...

Payne Moses

More than 500 charged with immigration-related crime in Arizona over recent 2-week period

From Jan. 21-Feb. 3, a total of 565 people were charged with illegal immigration activity by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona.

19 hours ago

Two Valley freeway ramps will be closed for the next two months....

Kevin Stone

2 Valley on-ramps closing for 2 months as part of freeway improvement projects

A couple of metro Phoenix freeway ramps are closing for the next two months as part of ongoing improvement projects.

23 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to start your retirement planning early and avoid costly mistakes

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can avoid costly pitfalls.

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

Katie Hobbs won’t debate Kari Lake, but candidates will appear at 2 forums