Lincoln Journal Star - Sasse Proposes Two Additional Senate Debates

News Article

By Don Walton

Republican nominee Ben Sasse on Thursday proposed two additional Senate debates that would include independent petition candidates.

That would bring the total number of Senate debates to four ahead of the Nov. 4 general election.

The Senate candidates already are scheduled to appear at a forum at the annual federal legislative summit hosted by the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce at the Strategic Air and Space Museum near Ashland on Aug. 7.

An Aug. 25 debate at the State Fair in Grand Island has been proposed by the Nebraska Cattlemen association and the Rural Radio Network.

Sasse and Democratic nominee Dave Domina previously appeared on stage together at Boys State and Girls State in Lincoln on June 2.

Sasse proposed that a fourth debate including all the candidates be scheduled in September.

"With so much at stake, we have a responsibility to make sure that families hear us debate important issues the Nebraska way," Sasse said.

"Nebraskans deserve to hear from all voices -- Republican, Democrat and all independents -- at these debates," Sasse campaign manager Tyler Grassmeyer said.

Custer County rancher Jim Jenkins already has qualified as an independent Senate candidate.

Lincoln businessman Todd Watson has filed petitions that are being reviewed to determine whether they contain sufficient valid signatures to gain entry to the November ballot.

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