Rob Sand Statement on Debate Status

DES MOINES, IA – Today, nominee for governor Rob Sand released the following statement in response to the Lahn campaign’s first response to our debate challenge from six weeks ago: 

“On June 4, we challenged Zach Lahn to do 100 public town halls, as I am doing and do every year, in addition to four debates. He called our proposal ‘politics,’ and said nothing on the substance of it. Media entities began reaching out to both campaigns. After six weeks of communication with the media and his campaign never replying to inquiries, on July 9 we moved forward and publicly agreed to four debates (more than have been done in 20 years). Now, headed into my 130th town hall of the campaign, Zach’s first substantive reply makes no commitment to any town halls at all, and he has yet to hold one. Zach even skipped a debate during the primary. The priority should be answering Iowans’ questions. We maintain our commitment to answer questions at 100 town halls and four debates. Zach should meet that mark.” 

The Rob Sand campaign committed to four debates in the following media markets: 

Des Moines Market:
Hosted by Iowa Press

Sioux City Market:
Hosted by KTIV 

Cedar Rapids Market:
Hosted by KCRG

Davenport Market:
Hosted by KWQC 

The Rob Sand campaign remains committed to working with the above media outlets and the Lahn campaign on format and logistics that work for both parties. If the Lahn campaign continues to refuse to come to the table, the Sand campaign will proceed with negotiations with the individual outlets, or plan to do a town hall in any market the Lahn campaign refuses to debate.