Sitting Congressman Jim Banks hasn’t yet accepted an invitation to debate from the Indiana Debate Commission, though both Democrat Valerie McCray and Libertarian Andrew Horning have indicated their willingness.

“Congressman Banks is focused on representing northeast Indiana in Congress, spending time with his family, and running a statewide campaign to be the next conservative U.S. Senator for Indiana. He will entertain debate options as we get closer to Election Day,” a campaign spokesperson told the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Banks represents the state’s 3rd Congressional District, centered around Fort Wayne — a seat he has held since 2017. The Indiana Debate Commission said both McCray and Horning agreed to debate options in early July.

Banks hasn’t yet responded to the commission, said President Elizabeth Bennion, a political science professor at Indiana University-South Bend.

“We remain hopeful that Representative Banks will join current U.S. Senators Mike Braun and Todd Young – and past senators Joe Donnelly, Evan Bayh, and Dan Coats – in accepting the Commission’s invitation to participate in the IDC’s statewide political debates,” Bennion said in an email. “Since the Commission’s founding in 2008, 100% of the balloted candidates running for U.S. Senate and governor have participated in IDC-sponsored debates which are broadcast live and shared freely with media outlets statewide.”

The three gubernatorial candidates — Republican and sitting U.S. Senator Mike Braun, Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian Donald Rainwater — have agreed to an Oct. 24th debate. However, that gubernatorial debate seemed to be briefly be in doubt following a highly criticized primary debate.

Banks, Horning and McCray are running to fill Braun’s vacated seat.

Criticism from opponent

Horning disparaged Banks’ lack of response in a July 31 press release, saying that, “(it) has become the tendency for $u$piciou$ly well-funded candidates to avoid public questioning.”

“Elections are not supposed to be controlled by candidates. Elections are not even about candidates. They’re about voters, and their right and duty to fire bad, corrupt politicians with weapons of peaceful revolution — votes,” Horning said.

Horning said that the country was at a pivot moment, “close to societal meltdown, global economic collapse, and maybe even a nuclear WWIII …” putting the blame squarely on the backs of incumbent politicians.

“All because of our incumbent politicians, parties, and the puppet masters who own and operate them. They should not be beyond tough questions, and none of us should be denied our options,” Horning said. “Any candidate who won’t show up for the job interviews, shouldn’t get the job.”

McCray didn’t respond to requests for comment.

A 2022 debate for U.S. Senate spent much of its one hour attacking incumbent U.S. Sen. Todd Young, who fended off attacks from Democrat Thomas McDermott Jr. and Libertarian James Sceniak.

Despite the headwinds, Young easily won reelection.

Notably, Congress had one of the least productive years on record, passing just 78 bills into law compared to the hundreds passed in prior sessions. As of Wednesday, the governing body planned to spend just 35 more days working before the end of the year.

Banks is part of the slim Republican House majority and previously campaigned to be the House Majority Whip, narrowly losing on a 115-106 vote.

Banks’ congressional duties will take him to Washington D.C. for a three-week session in September before members are expected to take a break until Election Day in November. Another “lame duck” session will occur following the election before a new Congress convenes in January.

The post Banks unresponsive to debate invitation for U.S. Senate seat appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

INDIANAPOLIS — Libertarian candidate for governor Donald Rainwater is not happy about being excluded from one of two upcoming debates this fall.

Republican Senator Mike Braun and Democrat Jennifer McCormick will participate in two governor debates this fall, with one debate broadcast on FOX59/CBS4 and the other on WISH-TV, both in Indianapolis.

[caption id="attachment_93936" align="alignright" width="150"] Rainwater[/caption]

Rainwater, also on the ballot, will participate in the WISH-TV debate. However, at the time of this writing, Rainwater will not be apart of the FOX59/CBS4 debate.

Rainwater tells WIBC's Kendall and Casey show this is offensive to the voters who turned out to support him in 2020 and today, "obviously voters feel that what we have to say is not only valid but preferred."

Rainwater claims that he has not had any communication with FOX59/CBS4 or the Indiana Debate Commission regarding that debate, and that he should have the same opportunity to speak to voters and potential voters on the same stage as the top Democrat and Republican contenders.

Rainwater says the debate was an issue in 2020 because early voters didn't get the chance to hear his positions first, and he wants to avoid any issues with debates this time around.

"Evidently, someone has decided the Indiana Debate Commission and their policy of allowing all balloted candidates to participate in the debates just isn't acceptable anymore," Rainwater explains.

Rainwater tells WIBC if Senator Braun truly believes in spirited competition, he should welcome the opportunity to debate issues live in front of a viewing audience. But Rainwater says if Braun is "getting his way" behind the scenes and preventing him from debating, then he questions Braun's potential leadership ability as a governor.

"We received, to my knowledge, we received any invitation from WISH-TV and we accepted it," Rainwater continues, "we have not received any invitation, nor to my knowledge have we received any delineation of the exact requirements or criteria, for the FOX59/CBS4 debate."

The FOX59/CBS4 debate is set for October 1st. The WISH-TV debate is set for October 3rd.

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