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Wyoming PBS cancels Primary DebatesWyoming PBS cancels Primary DebatesFriday, August 3, 2012  (WYOMING PBS) - Wyoming PBS has cancelled the planned primary debates due to lack of candidate response. There are two contested nominations in this year's primary, but voters will not have the opportunity to see the candidates debate before the polls open on August 21st. The primary debates were scheduled to be aired on Wyoming PBS during the evenings of August 16-18. Invitations were sent by phone, email and registered mail in early July to all the candidates. Of the three Democratic candidates vying for the nomination for U.S. Senate; Al Hamburg of Torrington declined the debate invitation while Tim Chesnut of Laramie and William Bryk of Burntfork, NY did not respond. Of the three Republicans competing for the nomination for U.S. Senate, only Thomas Bleming of Lusk accepted the invitation. Eugene Mavy of Alpine did not respond nor did the current Senator John Barrasso of Casper. Wyoming PBS General Manager Ruby Calvert responded, "This is an unfortunate circumstance - that Wyoming voters will not have an opportunity to meet the candidates before the primary election, but it is station policy that if we don't have at least two candidates accept the opportunity to appear, there is no formal debate." Wyoming PBS has a long tradition of hosting candidate debates in election years and that tradition will continue with general election debates on November 1, featuring candidates for the U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate. |
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