Entenza wants debates

Democrat Matt Entenza is challenging his DFL opponents for governor, Minnesota House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, to five debates. He sent a letter to the Kelliher and Dayton campaigns this morning:

While each of us is already busy making our case to the voting public individually, voters also should have the opportunity to consider our candidacies side by side. In that spirit, I am proposing a series of debates over the next three months. My campaign already has contacted the League of Women Voters of Minnesota to begin a dialogue about this.

What I propose is a series of five debates - one each in the Twin Cities, northeastern, northwestern, southeastern and southwestern Minnesota. I further propose each event be held at an institution of higher education in the region and bet moderated by a member of the League of Women Voters. Finally, I propose that members of our respective campaign teams negotiate the details of the events but that they reflect League of Women Voters debate guidelines.

I'm checking to see whether Dayton and Kelliher are willing to participate in the debates.

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The statements from Kelliher and Dayton don't commit the candidates to any debates at this time.

Here's a statement from Dayton's campaign:

"Mark Dayton has a proven history of participating in political debates. In 2000, Mark was a part of 16 debates before the primary, and 15 between the primary and general elections. Mark looks forward to having additional opportunities to discuss the issues in front of voters all across the state - just as he did during his tour of all 87 Minnesota counties. That includes candidate debates before and after the DFL primary." Dana Anderson, campaign manager, Mark Dayton for a Better Minnesota.

Here's a statement from Kelliher's campaign:

"Margaret earned the DFL endorsement by building a broad coalition of support from Democrats across the state. She has been and will continue to talk to Minnesotans about the future of our state over the course of the campaign. Margaret is determined to make sure there are enough debates for voters to make up their minds as we get closer to Election Day and looks forward to considering every debate offer as they come in."

-Allison Myhre, communications director

Margaret for Governor