Hawley and Kunce Clash Over Debate Arrangements at Missouri State Fair
- Sen. Josh Hawley challenged his Democratic rival Lucas Kunce to a debate at the Missouri State Fair.
- Hawley tracked down Kunce despite it not being approved by the fair commission.
- The encounter between the two candidates was tense and captured by a camera crew.
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) confronted his Democratic challenger, Lucas Kunce, at the Missouri State Fair on Thursday, seeking to initiate a debate amid ongoing disagreements over the format and hosting organization. Kunce's campaign has agreed to five televised debates but declined an untelevised debate proposed by the Missouri Farm Bureau, which has endorsed Hawley and contributed $5,000 to his campaign. Kunce's campaign manager cited legal concerns regarding the Farm Bureau's involvement in hosting a debate. During the fair, Hawley attempted to engage Kunce directly, capturing the encounter on video as he expressed frustration over Kunce's absence from public events. The senator challenged Kunce to a Lincoln-Douglas-style debate on the fairgrounds, emphasizing the importance of the opportunity. However, the Missouri State Fair Commission later clarified that it would not facilitate a political debate, prioritizing the fair's focus on agriculture and youth exhibitors. Hawley criticized Kunce for not accepting the debate invitation, claiming he was offering a valuable opportunity. Meanwhile, the Missouri Farm Bureau had prepared a flatbed trailer as a makeshift debate stage, underscoring the group's commitment to the event. As both candidates gear up for the election, fundraising figures show Kunce leading with $2.77 million raised compared to Hawley’s $1.78 million, although Hawley maintains a cash advantage of $5.76 million to Kunce's $4.23 million. The upcoming abortion amendment on Missouri's ballot may further influence voter turnout, particularly among Kunce's supporters.