LEBANON, Tenn. (WTVF) — Senator Marsha Blackburn declined NewsChannel 5's invitation to take part in a GOP Gubernatorial debate on Monday, July 20th. The debate was set to take place at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Blackburn campaign manager Abigail Sigler told us, "Senator Blackburn has votes scheduled in the Senate that evening."
NewsChannel 5 asked if there was another date that would work better for the Senator's schedule, but we have not heard back.
Now, Congressman John Rose has decided not to take part. His campaign said he wouldn't participate without Senator Blackburn.
Rose campaign manager Chris Devaney released a statement saying, "Tennesseans deserve to hear from all three candidates. Senator Blackburn's refusal is not a surprise, as she continues her campaign of running away from voters. We are hopeful she will agree to an alternative date, but we aren't holding our breath."
Both Congressman John Rose and State Representative Monty Fritts originally agreed to take part in the live, televised debate next Monday.
A recent poll shows the race for governor appears to be tightening. An internal poll released last week by Congressman John Rose's campaign said Blackburn has a 15-point lead over Rose. Back in May, a Beacon Center poll found Blackburn's lead was more than 50 points.
Rose's poll was conducted by McLaughlin & Associates, the same firm that conducts polling for President Trump. The group surveyed 600 likely Republican voters between June 28 and June 30. It found:
This poll was conducted before Senator Blackburn's awkward elevator interview with NewsChannel 5's Ben Hall, which you can watch here.
The Rose poll claims that just 35 percent of likely Republican voters indicated they have a positive, favorable opinion of the Senator.
Blackburn's campaign disputes Rose's internal polling. They point to several recent polls by Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS) Action. Those polls conducted around the same time found Blackburn had a favorability rating of at least 63 percent.
Early voting for the August 6 primary begins Friday. Election Day is August 6.
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