LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Amy McGrath on Thursday responded to a debate challenge from Sen. Mitch McConnell with a call for three separate debates to be held in different regions of the state.
The Senate majority leader suggested in a letter to McGrath on Wednesday a “Lincoln-Douglas-style” debate ahead of the November election with “no notes on the table, no props, and no audience.”
In a release issued Thursday, the McConnell campaign announced it accepted an invitation from Kentucky’s Gray Television stations to host “'The Kentucky Debate,' a U.S. Senate debate between Senator Mitch McConnell and Amy McGrath.'"
It is unclear at this time whether the deal would be for the single debate proposed by McConnell, or the three debates proposed by McGrath.
In her response letter to McConnell, McGrath said the three separate debates would be more appropriate to allow voters across the commonwealth to have an opportunity to hear from the candidates.
Today, McGrath calls on McConnell for three debates in different regions of Kentucky. She wants the debates to address the health care situation and the economic situation in KY.
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) August 20, 2020
She ends the letter with a P.S. - “Thank you for finally writing back after 32 years...”@LEX18News pic.twitter.com/JcKPdthYgQ
“I welcome debating you face-to-face to ensure Kentuckians can hear real solutions for the crisis ahead,” McGrath said. “The debates should focus on issues that are most important to Kentuckians during this national emergency.”
McGrath also invited libertarian candidate Brad Barron to join in the debates so “Kentuckians can hear from all of the candidates on the ballot.”
She added that one debate should specifically focus on health care in Kentucky, and another on the state’s economy.
