New debate drama emerges in race for Arizona governor

The Republican candidate for Arizona governor criticized a Phoenix PBS station for scheduling an interview with her Democratic opponent.

A state commission that organizes political debates canceled a one-on-one interview with Lake that was scheduled to broadcast Wednesday after learning of the station's plans to interview Hobbs next week

Reporters were summoned to a news conference to attack the decision, her rivals and the mainstream media. She said that the refusal to debate the central plank of her campaign shows that she doesn't have the strength to be governor.

Lake said that her rival shouldn't get a half hour of airtime.

The Republican would ruin the forum by turning it into a spectacle and make the state look bad.

The refusal to debate has caused a lot of negative headlines and made some of her supporters uneasy. Despite her attempts to turn the page, she will still face scrutiny over the debate decision.

Talking to the voters of Arizona is what the candidate is focused on. I'm going to talk directly to the voters and I'm not interested in being a part of the spectacle.

Chickens danced outside the window as she spoke.

State law requires the commission to organize political debates. The remaining candidate needs to be offered a one-on-one interview when a candidate declines to participate. The commission refused to interview the candidates one on one.

The commission was surprised to learn that Arizona PBS had offered an interview to Hobbs. Lake did not commit to attending the new interview that the commission was going to organize.

She said she'd show up during the interview to debate.

Lake promised that he wouldn't yell. I won't interrupt you. I will agree to that if you want an emotional support animal there. Show up like a mature debater.

Lake tried a similar move at a candidate forum last week organized by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, placing herself in the same spot as the other candidates.

The officials at Arizona State University did not reply to the request for comment.