Gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs declines to meet Kari Lake in live Arizona governor debate

(KYMA, KECY/ AP News) - Democrat Katie Hobbs on Friday declined to agree to a televised debate with Republican Kari Lake as both seek the Arizona governor’s office, instead proposing individual interviews with the moderator.

The campaign manager for Hobbs, who is currently secretary of state, pointed to a raucous debate between the four Republicans vying for their party’s nomination in the Aug. 2 primary for her decision.

Lake had already agreed to the debate and its format, which has been used for years. She also said she was ready to hit the stage with Hobbs at any time, let her pick the moderator and write all the questions.

Hobbs’ campaign has been talking with the Citizens Clean Election Commission and Arizona PBS for weeks to try to agree on terms for the scheduled Oct. 12 debate. The debates are televised and streamed live across the state on Arizona PBS, and numerous television stations also planned to broadcast.