Idaho Governor Butch Otter won’t debate challengers on live television ahead of the 2010 Republican gubernatorial primary.
He’s opted against participating in the event sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Idaho Press Club.
With Otter’s withdrawal, candidates Sharon Ullman and Rex Rammell are slated for the May 18 event on Idaho Public Television. The primary is May 25.
Candidates Tamara Wells, Walt Bayes and Ron “Pete” Peterson either didn’t respond to requests for information about their campaigns or didn’t meet criteria showing they have active campaigns.
Otter sent a letter on Wednesday indicating he disagreed with their exclusion, since Idaho Public Television gets taxpayer funding.
Otter also spurned an invitation to an IPTV debate in 2006 when he was running against Democrat Jerry Brady. (AP)
