PBS interview with Kari Lake canceled
The event was taking the place of the Gubernatorial Debate, in which Democratic candidate Katie Hobbs declined to participate in
YUMA, Ariz. (KECY, KYMA) - Drama over the Arizona gubernatorial debate reached a boiling point Wednesday.
The Clean Elections Commission has canceled an interview with Kari Lake after PBS set up a similar style interview with Democratic nominee Katie Hobbs.
The Clean Elections Commission had previously tried to set up a debate between the two gubernatorial candidates, but Hobbs's campaign would not agree to the format.
"As the CEC's broadcast partner, PBS' actions are a slap in the face to the commissioners of the CEC and a betrayal of their efforts to put on an actual debate," Lake's campaign wrote in a statement.
Lake spoke to the press following the announcement.
“I was ready to sit down with Ted to talk about the issues facing Arizona. And, unfortunately, they had to cancel that because PBS has done the wrong thing once again,” Lake said.
The outrage was due to Arizona PBS making a deal with Democratic candidate Katie Hobbs for an interview next week.
Bypassing the Clean Elections Commission, which denied the Hobbs campaign’s request to hold separate interviews instead of a debate.
Clean elections said it was disappointing, and accused Arizona PBS of breaking from existing practices.
Hobbs accepted the one-on-one interview earlier this week, despite previously saying in a CBS News interview on Sunday that she wouldn’t be scheduling any new events.
“Our schedule in terms of forums is pretty much set,” Hobbs said.
Lake said she hopes to debate next Tuesday
“I promise you can write the questions for me. I promise you I won’t yell. I promise you I won’t interrupt you," Lake said. "And if you want to have an emotional support animal there as well, I will agree to that. But show up, like a grown-up, and debate.”
Hobbs also held a phone bank event Wednesday, but outside Lake supporters crashed the party, wearing chicken costumes
Saying Hobbs was a “chicken” for refusing to debate Lake.
((standup close))
Hobbs’s interview is currently scheduled for october 18th.
