Blum Challenges Finkenauer to 12 Debates in Iowa 1st Congressional District Race

Update: Congressman Blum has accepted invitations to four debates, State Representative Finkenauer has yet to accept any.

Original: Congressman Rod Blum (R-Iowa) challenged State Representative Abby Finkenauer (D-Dubuque) to 12 debates after she won the Democratic primary in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District.

“I am looking forward to a respectful race in which we can discuss the issues during 12 debates throughout the 1st District,” Blum said congratulating her on her victory.

Finkenauer responded, “Fun, awesome.”

“I agree with Ms. Finkenauer that it will be ‘fun’ and ‘awesome,’ but we need to get started right away,” Blum said on Thursday.

The two-term incumbent Congressman has already accepted invitations from two of the District’s TV stations KWWL and KGAN/KFXA.

“To hold 12 debates, I propose we begin as soon as possible and schedule the first two this month, KWWL on the 20th and KGAN/KFXA on the 27th,” he added.

Congressman Blum’s campaign has offered to work closely with the Finkenauer campaign to organize the twelve debates and to reach an agreement on the terms and structure of the debates.

In a letter to the Finkenauer campaign, Blum wrote:

“This election should be an honest contest of ideas, and I hope you’ll accept this offer to give the voters of the First District an opportunity to hear for themselves about our differing visions for America. Iowans deserve to know where we each stand on the issues impacting Iowa’s First District.”

See the letter below: