McCaskill, Hawley challenge each other to debates

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MISSOURI (KFVS) - Sen. Claire McCaskill and Attorney General Josh Hawley challenged each other to series of debates.

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley will hold his first "Let's Debate" campaign event of the general election in St. Charles, Missouri. It will be held at the RNC St. Charles Field Office from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.

On Tuesday evening, after winning the Democratic nomination, McCaskill challenged Hawley to a series of four town hall-style debates in addition to the already agreed to Missouri Press Association debate.

According to McCaskill's office, the four debates would be in several media markets around the state and hosted by Missouri media outlets and journalists.

The letter from McCaskill to Hawley reads:

Dear Attorney General Hawley:
As a U.S. Senator it is my job to hold myself accountable to all Missourians. This includes showing up in small towns and big cities. And it means answering questions from any Missourian about the issues that matter to them. These are standards to which all elected officials should hold themselves to. That's why I've held public town halls with Missourians throughout my time as Senator – including more than 50 across the state since 2017.
I am clear about my positions and I always show Missourians respect, whether they agree with me or not. Therefore, in addition to the already agreed to Press Association debate, Missouri voters should hear directly from us through four town hall style debates with questions from actual Missouri voters. These debates should be in several media markets across the state and have us answering questions alongside each other.
Missourians deserve the same chance to ask you questions and hear your answers as they have consistently had with me. Because Missourians know Missouri best, all debates should be hosted by local Missouri media outlets and journalists. All debates should be aired on broadcast television, radio or streamed online to reach as many voters as possible statewide.
My team stands ready to finalize details with your staff. My campaign manager, David Kirby, will be the point of contact for these discussions. He can be reached at 314.918.8100 or manager@clairemccaskill.com.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

In Hawley's statement on his primary election victory, he said he is proposing a series of one-on-one debates all over Missouri. Read the full statement below.

"Tonight the conservative people of Missouri sent a message loud and clear to the Washington elites. Missouri sent a message in 2016, but Claire McCaskill was so comfortable in her Washington condo that she couldn't hear it. The hardworking people of our state voted in favor of conservative judges, middle class tax cuts, more jobs, secure borders. Claire McCaskill didn't listen then, and she refuses to listen now. This fall, we have another chance to make our voices heard – and send her home for good.

"With this critical step, I am proposing a series of one-on-one debates all over Missouri. Just me and Senator McCaskill. No moderator. No complicated rules. Just me and Claire McCaskill debating on the back of a flatbed truck, traveling all over the state to air out our differences. That way everyone in Missouri can make up their mind based on what they see with their own eyes. And it starts tomorrow.

"The outcome of this campaign is vital to Missouri. Control of the U.S. Senate hangs in the balance. I'm honored to receive this support from our party, and I am determined to be a messenger for the people of Missouri as we move forward."

McCaskill won the Democratic primary over six other challengers.

Hawley won the Republican nomination over 10 other challengers. He was the only candidate to have previously won a statewide election.