South Dakota’s Democratic Congressional Candidates Call for Debates

Democratic House candidate Paula Hawks and Senate candidate Jay Williams say they are ready to debate their incumbent opponents at Dakotafest in Mitchell.

However, Republican Congressperson Kristie Noem and Senator John Thune, who are both up for reelection, have indicated that they are not interested in debating.

"The voters of South Dakota deserve to hear how the incumbent Senator and his challenger stand on the issues," Williams said.

"It's disappointing but not surprising that Kristi Noem is afraid to answer questions from an audience with a strong agricultural background about leaving the House Ag Committee," Hawks said, "There's no debate because there's no good explanation for leaving South Dakota's number one industry without a strong voice."

Dakotafest, an agriculture trade show held annually in Mitchell, SD has traditionally been the site some of the first debates for South Dakota office-seekers. This year's Dakotafest is August 16 through 18.

• Now is a Great Time to Register to Vote in 2016

Thune reportedly told Dakotafest sponsor IDEAg Group that he has no plans to debate this year. In a statement from his campaign, Jay Williams is calling for the Senator to change his position and agree to a series of debates. Nome has also bowed out of a debate with Hawks.

"Senator Thune  has voted repeatedly to repeal the Affordable Care Act. This in spite of the fact that the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the cornerstone legal authority for the provision of health care to American Indians and Alaska Natives, was made permanent as part of the Affordable Care Act. This is just one of several issues where Senator Thune and I disagree," Williams said. "We differ on how to address the income inequality in our country and on the importance of eliminating fossil fuels as our source of energy. Senator Thune needs to explain why he endorses the racist, self professed greedy real estate mogul, Donald Trump for President. Let's have a series of debates to discuss these and other issues important to South Dakota voters."

See Also: