TELEVISED DEBATE LEAVES TWO GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES OUT
written by Johnny Kincaid
March 19, 2024
Six candidates are running in the Republican primary for Governor: Mike Braun, Brad Chambers, Suzanne Crouch, Eric Doden, Curtis Hill, and Jamie Reitenour. But, not all of the candidates will be allowed to participate in the next debate on March 26 in Indianapolis.
Campaigning has been going on for months already, and now, with under 60 days to go, the race is on to the finish line. Every handshake and opportunity to speak is of vital importance to the candidates.
That’s why there has been a statewide uproar over the upcoming Fox59 gubernatorial debate rules. To participate in the debate, candidates must have more than 5% in a poll and have raised over $100,000. The rules will prevent two candidates, Jamie Reitenour and Curtis Hill, from taking to the stage.
In a recent Facebook post, Reitenour said, “My exclusion from these important events in the democratic process is an injustice that needs to be corrected!”
Most people aren’t sure who to direct the outrage at. In the case of the March 26 debate, the rules are established by the company that owns Fox59, Nexstar Media Group. The company owns 197 television stations, and the rules are handed down from the corporate headquarters in Irving, Texas, Midtown Manhattan, and Chicago.
As a private company, Nexstar is within its rights to create a set of standards that candidates must meet to participate. However, having the right to do something does not always mean it is the right thing to do. In the crowded field of candidates, this decision could significantly impact those left off the stage.
Relying on candidate polling numbers fails to take into consideration the huge number of undecided voters. Polling shows that almost half of Hoosier Republicans have not made up their minds about who to vote for in the May primary. With that many undecided voters, a strong debate could change many minds.
If you believe that undecided voters should have the opportunity to hear from all candidates, you can contact Fox59 in Indianapolis. You can email the station’s news department at fox59news@fox59.com.
