Katie Hobbs tells commission she will not face Kari Lake on debate stage

PHOENIX — Arizona Democratic candidate for governor Katie Hobbs announced Sunday she will not face her opponent Kari Lake on the debate stage.

In a statement to the Citizens Clean Elections Commission (CCEC), Hobbs said though she rejects its invitation, she remains willing to participate in a format where a host would interview candidates separately for 30 minutes.

“Secretary Hobbs remains willing and eager to participate in a town hall style event, such as the forum she participated in last week in which Arizonans were able to hear directly from Sec. Hobbs about her in-depth policy plans and how she would approach governing this state,” Nicole DeMont, Hobbs’ campaign manager, said in the statement.

“Unfortunately, debating a conspiracy theorist like Kari Lake — whose entire campaign platform is to cause enormous chaos and make Arizona the subject of national ridicule — would only lead to constant interruptions, pointless distractions and childish name-calling.

“Arizonans deserve so much better than Kari Lake, and that’s why we’re confident Katie Hobbs will be elected our next governor.”

The commission voted Thursday to reject Hobbs’ request for a televised town hall with separate interviews of herself and her Republican opponent Kari Lake.

Hobbs and Lake were told a debate format needed to be agreed upon within seven days. With Hobbs saying she won’t participate, Lake will be interviewed for 30 minutes during the Oct. 12 debate time slot.

Arizona’s gubernatorial candidates participated in a format similar to Hobbs’ rejected proposal on Wednesday evening at an Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry town hall in Phoenix.

Hobbs and Lake will appear again on the same stage, but not at the same time, during an Oct. 3 forum at the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix as part of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce national convention.

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