From ABC News · ABC News · · 2m
Midterm candidates skip debates at record rates
Fewer than half of Senate races will feature debates this year, a sharp rise from previous elections that denies voters a chance to see candidates under pressure.
In brief
Fewer than half of Senate races will feature debates this year, a sharp rise from previous elections that denies voters a chance to see candidates under pressure. Record numbers of midterm candidates are avoiding debates in twenty twenty-six, with twenty one of thirty five Senate races and twenty one of thirty six…
Debates disappearing from governor races
Of thirty six governors up for election in twenty twenty-six, twenty one races will have no debate between major-party candidates, including toss-ups in Georgia, Nevada and Ohio.
Governor debates have risen sharply
In twenty eighteen, only two of thirty six governor races had no debates. By twenty twenty-two, that number jumped to eight. The trend continues upward in twenty twenty-six.
Senate races show even steeper decline
Twenty one of thirty five Senate seats up for election in twenty twenty-six have no debate scheduled, including toss-ups in Ohio and Texas. In twenty twenty-four, nine of thirty four had none.
Ohio governor declines to debate
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton declined to debate Republican opponent Vivek Ramaswamy, saying she did not want to platform his baseless lies, a reference to false claims in his political ads.
“baseless lies”
Alabama candidate cites too much difference
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, running for governor in Alabama, declined to debate Democratic opponent Doug Jones, telling a local TV station there is no reason to get up there and argue about differences of opinion.
“there's no reason to get up there and argue about differences of opinion”
Texas Senate race debate commitment fades
Republican Ken Paxton initially committed to debate state Sen. James Talarico in Texas' closely watched Senate race. Despite the commitment, Paxton's team has not responded to debate offers from ABC affiliate WFAA.
Arizona governor avoids debate again
Gov. Katie Hobbs is declining a debate in her race, marking the second election cycle she has done so. Her campaign manager said face-to-face engagement with Arizonans is more effective than a stage designed for short soundbites and political theater.
“face-to-face engagement with Arizonans is more effective than a stage designed for short soundbites and political theater”
Voters miss chance to see pressure test
Craig Hennigan, a lecturer in communications at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, says when candidates skip debates, voters do not get to see how they react under pressure or learn about their character.
Leading candidates have little to gain
Hennigan argues that candidates with substantial leads have little to gain from debates and face risk of missteps. He cites President Donald Trump declining primary debates in twenty twenty-four as an example of this calculation.
The main idea
Record numbers of midterm candidates are avoiding debates in twenty twenty-six, with twenty one of thirty five Senate races and twenty one of thirty six governor races having no scheduled debates.
