Katie Hobbs, Arizona Secretary-of-StateD. appeared uncomfortable when she was asked about her decision not to debate Republican Kari Lake during a Friday interview on ABC.
Hobbs spoke with T.J. Holmes (host) and Amy Robach (host) about the upcoming governor’s race. Robach asked Hobbs why she didn’t debate Lake at all during the campaign.
“Why not challenge them, though? I’m just curious,” Robach asked.
After stammering, Hobbs answered, “As far as I’m concerned, the debate about debates is over. I’m running my campaign the way I’m running my campaign. I’m going to continue to make the case directly to voters.”
Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs was criticised for not engaging in debate with Kari Lake, her opponent in the gubernatorial race.
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images).
KARI LAKE TURNS CAMERA ON MEDIA WHILE CAMPAIGNING TO ARIZONA GOVERNOR
Holmes continued to press for the issue.
“The case they make to them and, to not belabor that point: there are tough times in many people’s lives. We talk about the economy, inflation, and I know there’s a rising cost of living here. People put someone in that office who they believe will stand up for them. At worst, it could come off as you’re scared to step on that stage. At best, you’re not willing to confront. We’re in a new era where sometimes, some politicians have been seen as bullies, and we’ve been taught since we were little kids that you got to stand up to bullies,” Holmes said.
He continued, “You know how that could come across?” We want to send you to fight for us, but you won’t even stand on stage with her.”
“I have stood up for this bully.” Arizonans have witnessed that in the past two years., and I’m going to continue to do that,” Hobbs responded.
Katie Hobbs, who appeared on Friday’s “GMA3”: What You Should Know, defended her decision not to debate Kari lake
(ABC)
Lake has been criticized Hobbs’ refusal to face her, suggesting that it comes from Hobbs’ inability to properly debate.
“She was asked a softball question a couple of weeks ago: name one good thing about the Latino community, and she spent the entire minute and a half saying ‘um’ and ‘uh’ and couldn’t come up with one thing. She knows that she doesn’t want to debate. It would be like a birthday cake versus a chainsaw if she showed up,” Lake said on “Fox & Friends” Monday.
Robach also mentioned that Hobbs had previously refused to debate other primary opponents prior to her nomination.
Kari Lake, Republican candidate for Arizona governor, at an Election Night Party in Scottsdale (Arizona), USA, Tuesday Aug. 2, 2022.
(Caitlin Bloomberg/Caitlin Ol’Hara via Getty Images
CLICK HERE TO GET FOX NEWS APP
“That was a completely different story. I won by a large margin so it wasn’t an issue. Hobbs stated that even though Kari Lake tried to overturn the results of the election, Hobbs stood firm.
Elizabeth Heckman, Fox News, contributed to this report.
