Republican 2nd District Congressional candidate Celeste Maloy’s campaign said in a Tuesday morning news release that her opponents in the September primary election, Becky Edwards and Bruce Hough, have agreed to participate in 10 debates ahead of the primary. Edwards’ campaign says that’s not true.
The news release and social media posts from Maloy’s campaign assert the three candidates vying for the Republican nomination in the special election to replace Rep. Chris Stewart “have agreed to a robust debate schedule” of ten debates over 12 days. The first forum is scheduled for Friday night in Farmington and will conclude with a televised debate in Salt Lake County.
A spokesperson from Edwards’ campaign flatly denied they had agreed to any of the debates on the schedule on Tuesday.
It’s unclear how the mix-up happened.
A representative from Maloy’s campaign told The Salt Lake Tribune that Maloy spoke with Edwards at an event in St. George over the weekend, where she agreed to join her on the debate stage. Edwards’ campaign confirmed the conversation with Maloy but said Edwards did not agree to participate.
“Becky and Celeste did bump into each other, but there was no confirmation that she would debate,” Edwards spokesperson Chelsea Robarge Fife told The Tribune in a telephone conversation Tuesday afternoon.
Maloy’s campaign did not respond to questions about their claim. The debates will be put on by Maloy’s campaign and not an independent organization.
Maloy advanced to the September primary ballot after winning the delegate vote at the special GOP convention in June. Edwards and Hough earned their place in the primary by submitting signatures.
Hough’s campaign manager, Russ Walker, said Hough agreed to all ten debates with Maloy after they were able to work out details on the moderators and format. Friday’s event in Farmington is set to be moderated by Davis County GOP Chair Yemi Arunsi and former chair Daniela Harding. Candidates will also field questions from the audience.
“We look forward to again meeting with voters throughout the entire district and taking unscripted questions directly from them,” Walker said.
Walker added Hough is hopeful that Edwards will agree to some of the scheduled debates before ballots go out to voters later this month.
“I’m not sure what Becky is afraid of and why she refuses to go out and meet with voters in Southern Utah,” Walker said.
Correction, Aug. 1, 3:40 p.m. • This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Daniela Harding’s name.
