ST. LOUIS — The date is set. The blueprints and designs for a stage are complete. Three podiums are prepared. Three moderators and their journalist colleagues from newsrooms across Missouri are researching topics and designing outlines for an hourlong commercial-free debate to air in prime time at 7 p.m. on July 24.
On Wednesday night, 13 days before the Missouri Republican primary voters pick a candidate to run for Governor in the Aug. 6 primary election, 5 On Your Side will host a Missouri GOP Primary Debate in the KSDK-TV studios.
Nine PBS (KETC) has offered to simulcast the debate on its platform and will share the live broadcast with other public television stations across the Show Me State. Similarly, KSHB in Kansas City has set aside time in its primetime schedule to carry the highly anticipated television event. Other NBC affiliated stations across the state will also have the ability to carry the debate.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson concludes his run in the state's top job at the start of next year, and three other Republicans have emerged as the frontrunners for a chance to represent their party in the bid to replace him.
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft leads in the polls. Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe holds a significant campaign cash advantage. State Sen. Bill Eigel touts his firm grip on the uncompromising ideological right wing of the party faithful.
Debate organizers reached out to all three campaigns weeks ago to open dialogue, answer questions, and understand any potential concerns that might become obstacles in the planning stages.
Ashcroft and Eigel immediately confirmed their appearances in writing.
Later, Kehoe's campaign indicated to the Post-Dispatch that he hoped to appear on stage. But then, in an apparent reversal, Kehoe's team said they could not commit to attend, citing another unnamed event on his campaign calendar.
"He looks forward to every opportunity to speak to as many voters as possible," Kehoe's spokeswoman Gabby Picard said. "However, with less than seven weeks remaining in this campaign and his busy schedule crisscrossing the state, he has already confirmed his participation in an event on the day of this proposed debate and is unable to participate."
Before issuing his response, Kehoe's team was informed that the debate could still continue even in his absence.
"After conversations with the Kehoe campaign, we had every indication that they were open to participating in our televised debate on July 24," 5 On Your Side Director of Content Morgan Schaab said. "Their team asked several rounds of detailed, thoughtful questions about debate rules, format, and studio accommodations. Our answers appeared to be well-received. They certainly were not met with any objections. That's why we were surprised and disappointed to hear them say a scheduling conflict would prevent them from attending the July 24 debate.
"That's also why we plan to proceed with our planned debate," Schaab said. "We intend to hold a podium for Mr. Kehoe in case he reconsiders. We hope he will."
Kehoe's rivals pounced on the news of his potential absence at the debate.
"Mike Kehoe is trying to buy this election with the millions of dollars he’s raised from Jefferson City special interests, running dishonest ads about Jay Ashcroft," Jason Cabel Roe, Ashcroft's campaign manager, said in an email. "It’s not surprising he’s scared to look Jay in the eye and defend his own record selling Missouri to China, doubling state government spending, and raising the gas tax 12.5¢ per gallon."
"Despite Kehoe waffling on his attendance, we remain committed to the debate. The public deserves to know who they are voting for," Eigel's campaign spokeswoman Sophia Shore said. "We sincerely hope Kehoe is able to muster up the courage to be there."
Both Ashcroft and Eigel reiterated their commitments to attend the debate, with or without Kehoe on stage.
Candidates Rep. Crystal Quade, the House Minority Leader, and Mike Hamra, a businessman, are running in the Democratic primary. 5 On Your Side has reached out to both campaigns to gauge their interest in a separate primary debate. Those discussions remain ongoing.
