McCrory Challenges Walker & Budd to Three Televised Primary Debates | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Charlotte     United States Senate candidate and Former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory today challenged former Congressman Mark Walker and Congressman Ted Budd to three televised primary debates.

    "All North Carolinians who plan to vote in the Republican primary deserve a chance to see the major candidates for their party's US Senate nomination debate the issues in a public, easily-viewed forum," McCrory said. "Today I ask Mr. Walker and Mr. Budd to join me in three primary debates, all of which would be hosted, moderated, and televised by mainstream news outlets in North Carolina."

    The debates would be subject to rules that are negotiated in advance by the three campaigns and the host media partners. One debate would occur late in the fall of 2021; two more would be scheduled for 2022. This approach allows campaigns to deal equitably with numerous requests from local GOP clubs and other groups while balancing the needs of a campaign schedule and raising the funds necessary to prosecute a winning statewide Senate campaign.

    The McCrory campaign has already reached out to media partners across the state to gauge interest in hosting such debates, beginning with those who have done so successfully in the past. As media partners confirm their interest, they will begin reaching out to the three campaigns to begin negotiations. Media partners could decide to include other candidates depending on their independent assessment of candidate viability.

    "This primary will determine the majority in the United States Senate," McCrory said. "Despite our strong lead in the polls and fundraising, I believe all Republican primary voters need to be exposed to the candidates' records, accomplishments, plans for the future, and their pathway to victory in the general election. Our campaign is attempting to bring context, structure and transparency to the election process for primary voters across the state. I look forward to welcoming my opponents to this critical discussion."