At a press conference held in Cheyenne on September 4, democratic gubernatorial candidate Pete Gosar challenged Gov. Matt Mead, the incumbent republican candidate to a series of 5 debates prior to the general election.
The debates were to be broadcasted live on the web from towns and cities around Wyoming that otherwise do not typically have the experience of hosting political candidates. It was proposed that the questions of debate were taken live from the audience or from those watching on the web, allowing anyone from anywhere to ask a question of the gubernatorial candidates.
Gov. Mead refused the challenge, and had not responded to a request for comment from the Branding Iron by press deadline. Gov. Mead’s Press Secretary did release a statement upon their refusal of Gosar’s request.
“Matt Mead has already committed to debating, and in fact, has already debated with the democratic contender at the League of Women Voters’ debate in Cheyenne,” according to the statement. “He will also participate in statewide debates sponsored by Wyoming Public TV and the Casper Star Tribune, KCWY TV and Casper College. These debates are designed to reach a statewide audience and to be accessible by all voters – 18 to 98. These are available via a wide variety of media – print, TV and the internet.”
Gosar does not believe that the already scheduled debates are enough to provide Wyoming voters with a transparent debate experience.
“Tech provides us an opportunity to connect politicians and voters like never before,” said Gosar. “If more people were engaged in politics, there would be more people involved in politics.”
Gosar said he appreciated the two debates Mead did and will participate in further events, but he believes that a genuine opportunity for Wyoming voters is being missed.
“We have a chance to remove some of the barriers between voters and politicians,” Gosar said. “For a mother with a disabled son experiencing seven percent budget cuts, she won’t be able to pick up and travel to debates to express her concerns.”
Gosar said he believed the debates would have been beneficial for students across Wyoming.
“We hear how concerned students are about science standards in high schools in the state and they should have an opportunity to ask their potential representatives about that situation,” said Gosar.
With the general election less than two months away, only time will tell if Mead’s refusal will have an effect on his showing at the polls.
