BREAKING: Gallego Ducks First Scheduled Debate with Lake

In an exclusive interview with the Arizona Globe, Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake announced that her Democrat opponent, Ruben Gallego, is backing out of their first debate, initially scheduled for October 3, 2024.

Lake stated, “Ruben Gallego’s ducking the first debate is just another move from a politician too scared to defend his disastrous record. Arizonans deserve transparency, not excuses, and if he can’t face the voters now, how can they trust him to fight for them in Washington? I’ll never back down from a fight, and I’m ready to show Arizonans what real leadership looks like.”

Gallego’s decision seems out of character for the often bombastic politician, whose aggressive Twitter persona and brass-knuckle political style have been critical elements of his campaign. Known for his direct, aggressive, and often fiery rhetoric on social media, sidestepping a public debate appears out of character. In light of recent revelations about Gallego’s secretive divorce and remarriage, Lake suggests that Gallego is attempting to hide from voter scrutiny.

A month ago today (September 3rd), I officially agreed to take part in the first Debate.

Tomorrow is the deadline for my Democrat Opponent to accept the invitation.

After a full month of deliberation, let’s hope @RubenGallego mustered up the courage to join me in this debate!

— Kari Lake (@KariLake) September 23, 2024

Lake agreed to the Clean Elections Commission debate with Gallego last month, with a second debate scheduled for October 9 – the same day the State will mail out early voting ballots. The debate faced extensive criticism in recent weeks after the Commission excluded Green Party candidate Eduardo Quintana. Senator Jake Hoffman, the Arizona Senate Committee on Government chair, took to X/Twitter to express his concerns. He alleges that the Commission unfairly favors the Democrat, Gallego, over Republican Kari Lake, raising questions about transparency and fairness in the election process.

Hoffman posted that the Commission is “creatively, yet intentionally, blocking” candidates like Quintana, a move he claims undermines the intent of the voter-approved Clean Elections Act by potentially benefitting one political party. The Senate Committee has opened an investigation into the matter.

Kari Lake issued a sharp rebuke over Quintana’s exclusion, stating, “You can’t claim to be a defender of democracy while refusing to give other candidates a platform.”

She also accused Gallego of deliberately sidestepping a transparent, open debate, implying that refusing to include all voices undermines the democratic principles he claims to uphold.

The Green Party candidate tweeted a challenge to both Lake and Gallego, but the Clean Elecions Commission ultimately denied his participation in the debate.

Hey @KariLake @KariLakeWarRoom, will you stand up for the right of voters to hear from all candidates running?

If you truly believe in democracy, I am calling on you and @RubenGallego to demand that I be included in the @AZCCEC debate on Oct. 9th!

— Eduardo Quintana for U.S. Senate (@Quintana4Senate) August 23, 2024

Gallego’s refusal to accept the first scheduled debate and the issues surrounding the second debate leave Arizonans wondering if they will see any debate. Gallego’s previously vocal demands for Lake to defend her positions make ducking the debate seem particularly curious. His penchant for direct, often aggressive statements and sharp attacks on Lake doesn’t align with his retreat from the debate stage. It fuels speculation that Gallego may be hiding something significant regarding his personal life.

This is an ongoing investigation.