Democrat Wes Moore and Republican Dan Cox have agreed to debate the key issues of Marylandβs gubernatorial race at a Maryland Public Television event.
The debate, scheduled for Oct. 12, according to an email from Mooreβs campaign, is slated to be the first time the candidates will face off. Both candidates had expressed interest in multiple public debates.
Moore and Cox are the leading candidates in the Nov. 8 election to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Larry Hogan. Nominees from the Green, Working Class and Libertarian parties are also on the ballot.
MPT has frequently hosted political debates in high-profile races, including for this yearβs gubernatorial primary candidates. The stationβs editorial policy states that candidates must demonstrate βsignificant voter interest and supportβ in order to be invited to a debate; this is defined as candidates who receive at least 10% in a reliable nonpartisan general election poll.
Libertarian candidate David Lashar said he was not invited to the poll and that any candidate on the ballot should also be on the stage.
βI cannot bear self-proclaimed champions of democracy engaging in blatant hypocrisy,β he said. In the last gubernatorial election, Libertarian nominee Shawn Quinn received 0.6% of the vote. Quinn received 1.5% in the 2014 governorβs race.
MPTβs director of communications Tom Williams said the station will work with media partner WBAL to produce the debate. He declined to share further information.
In a statement, Moore said he looks forward to the opportunity to contrast his platform with Coxβs far-right agenda. βThe stakes of this election could not be more clear,β he said. βIf Dan Cox wins, he will ban abortion, undermine our free and fair election system, and defund our public schools.β
Cox said in a statement that he is glad Moore accepted an invitation to debate with him. βI look forward to letting the voters of Maryland see the candidates live, in person and unfiltered,β he said.
emily.sullivan@thebaltimorebanner.com
Read more:
Comments
Welcome to The Banner's subscriber-only commenting community. Please review our community guidelines.