After skipping out on pre-primary election debates, it’s unclear whether Republican U.S. Rep. Burgess Owens will show up for the Utah Debate Commission event scheduled for Wednesday at the University of Utah. On Tuesday, the Debate Commission took the unusual step of sending out a statement that Owens had not confirmed his attendance Wednesday night.
“The (Utah Debate Commission) is still planning on full attendance at the 4th Congressional District debate and is looking forward to meaningful dialogue with the candidates that do participate,” Executive Director Erik Nielsen said in an email.
Before the June primary election, Owens refused to debate Jake Hunsaker, his Republican opponent. He spurned invitations from the Utah Debate Commission and an offer of a debate from the Utah Republican Party. Owens defeated Hunsaker by more than 20 points.
A spokesperson for Owens’ campaign told The Tribune last week the congressman was scheduled to attend the debate. Owens’ campaign did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday’s statement from the Debate Commission.
The other candidates scheduled to be on the debate stage at the University of Utah on Wednesday night, Democratic nominee Darlene McDonald and United Utah Party nominee January Walker reacted harshly to news that Owens may not show.
McDonald branded Owens as a coward, tweeting he was “terrified.”
“Burgess Owens is terrified of being held accountable, terrified of having to be in front of Darlene, and he’s terrified of his constituents,” McDonald posted.
“We are encouraging Representative Owens to rethink this cowardly behavior and do the honorable thing by being held accountable to those constituents he purports to represent,” McDonald said in a follow-up statement.
Walker, who narrowly met the Debate Commission’s criteria to be included, ripped Owens as incompetent.
“Refusing to go before constituents is an absolute manifestation of your corruption & incompetency for the job,” Walker tweeted.
The debate is set for Wednesday at 6:00 pm.
