EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — State Rep. Patricia Morgan, who is one of two Republicans running in Rhode Island’s U.S. Senate race this year, has declined to debate her opponent in the primary, 12 News has learned.
There were two debates proposed, according to Jesus Solorio, former executive director of the Rhode Island GOP and senior advisor for Raymond McKay’s campaign.
Solorio told 12 News on Thursday those debates were proposed by the state GOP and Rhode Island Young Republicans.
“Mr. McKay has formally sent Representative Morgan a request to participate in a series of debates ahead of the September 10 primary election,” Solorio said. “Unfortunately, Rep. Morgan has already declined two debates: one from the Republican Party of RI and one from the RI Young Republicans.”
A copy of the formal request McKay sent to Morgan on Tuesday was also sent to 12 News.
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Ken Naylor Jr., chair of the R.I. Young Republicans, confirmed that a debate he tried to organize was declined by Morgan.
“I wanted to increase engagement among Young Republicans in Rhode Island and reached out to both campaigns to invite them to a debate,” Naylor Jr. said. “Mr. McKay accepted and Representative Morgan declined.”
Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers also told 12 News that the party proposed a debate, which Morgan declined.
Anthony D’Ellena, director of communications for Morgan’s campaign, confirmed the campaign did decline the RI Young Republicans debate, but said the state GOP’s debate wasn’t a formal invitation.
“Although Chairman Powers spoke with Patricia a few months back, it was an informal discussion rather than an official invitation for a debate,” D’Ellena added.
As for why the prospect of debating McKay was declined, D’Ellena said Morgan doesn’t want “to get negative with this primary.”
“We need our party united for when Ray drops out or loses in the primary come September. A debate between Patricia and Ray would, mostly likely, not center on policy differences, but would instead center on personal traits and accomplishments,” D’Ellena explained.
D’Ellena also contrasted the two candidates in the campaign’s response, saying the state representative is “the only serious candidate running.”
Both candidates are looking to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, who formally kicked off his campaign for a fourth term in April.
The primary election in Rhode Island is scheduled for Sept. 10.
This article was originally published by a www.wpri.com . Read the Original article here. .