Republican gubernatorial candidates Bill McCollum and Rick Scott confirmed on Friday they’ll hold at least two debates before their Aug. 24 primary, setting up early August showdowns that could reshape their race for the GOP nomination.
McCollum, who has fallen behind the self-financed Scott in most recent polls, sent a letter to the former Columbia/HCA Healthcare executive’s campaign to finalize their agreement for debates on Aug. 2 and Aug. 5.
The first debate, which will be held in Miami, will be sponsored by Univision, and aired on Aug. 7. The second meeting, to take place Aug. 5, will be hosted by Tampa Fox affiliate WTVT and aired live.
The campaigns are negotiating for a third debate, McCollum senior advisor Doyle Bartlett said, and McCollum will participate in an Aug. 11 Leadership Florida debate. McCollum campaign officials said they hoped Scott would sign onto that debate as well, because it is the only one that will air statewide.
“This is the only debate that will air on commercial stations throughout Florida and Mr. Scott is a member of the host organization, Bartlett said in a letter to Scott’s campaign manager Susan Wiles. “I am hopeful you will confirm your participation in the Leadership Florida debate directly to the organization’s President, Wendy Abberger.”
Scott’s campaign did not comment Friday afternoon on the Leadership Florida debate, but said the upstart candidate welcomes the confirmed engagements with McCollum.
“Rick is pleased that Bill McCollum has accepted his debate challenge and we are excited to announce the first debates of the primary election.” Wiles said. “The GOP primary is just over a month away and we are anxious to debate the issues that matter to Floridians so that they have a clear choice on Election Day.”
Even as they agreed to debate, McCollum and Scott continued to clash Friday, each sending E-mails to supporters bashing the other. McCollum’s campaign circulated a St. Petersburg Times column critical of Scott’s knowledge of issues he might face as governor and Scott’s campaign hammered McCollum on immigration and his ties to 527 political groups, which have been airing television commercials on his behalf.
A Quinnipiac University poll released last month showed Scott leading McCollum among likely Republican primary voters 44 percent to 31 percent.
By Keith Laing
The News Service of Florida
