Attorney General Jeff Landry will skip the first gubernatorial debate of the 2023 election cycle.
According to WWL-TV, who's hosting that debate, Landry's communications director told them that Landry would skip the debate because the station is partnering with the Urban League to host it. In a statement to the TV station, Landry's camp accused the group of being "anti-Trump, anti-Second Amendment, and soft on crime."
WWL-TV, who is also partnering with several other television stations to produce and broadcast the debate statewide, says it stands by its decision to work with the Urban League.
"Our partners have worked tirelessly to organize this debate," WWL-TV news director Nicole Waivers said in a statement posted to the station's website. "Only journalists were involved in crafting or asking questions. It will be fair and impartial. We look forward to giving voters a chance to hear from the candidates vying to lead the state."
The Urban League's president also stood firm against Landry's allegations.
"The Urban League of Louisiana is proud to be a nonpartisan organization who unapologetically advocates on behalf of Black Louisianans and other underserved communities," Judy Reese Moore, Urban League of Louisiana President/CEO, said in a statement. "Likewise, we stand by our policy prescriptions, both past and present, which are rooted in data and that champion a more equitable Louisiana. As it relates to our forthcoming debate, hosted in conjunction with WWL and media partners throughout the state, our singular focus is to ensure that candidates seeking the office of Governor have the ability to share their platform and reasons they believe voters should have confidence in their ability to lead our great state. We have unwavering faith in the journalistic integrity of our media partners and look forward to a fair and robust debate on Thursday."
One of Landry's Republican rivals fired back on Twitter. John Schroder accused Landry of "running away from answering questions most pressing to voters."
Landry has not said if he'll participate in a debate hosted by Nexstar Media's television stations one week later on September 15.
Related
Related
