UPDATE: Braun says he’ll participate in two general election debates

Gubernatorial hopefuls Republican Sen. Mike Braun and Democrat Jennifer McCormick are set to debate at least once in October, their campaigns confirmed Monday.

Braun’s campaign announced two campaign dates. The first debate would be on Oct. 1 and hosted by WXIN-TV Channel 59 and sister station WTTV-TV Channel 4. The second will be on Oct. 3 and hosted by WISH-TV Channel 8.

McCormick has agreed to the Oct. 3 debate, campaign manager Kelly Wittman told IBJ. However, she said the Oct. 1 date has not been agreed upon and McCormick has a conflict on that date. She said they are working to find a date for a second debate.

“Dr. McCormick is very excited to continue to discuss the issues that are most important to Hoosiers and to continue to advocate for restoring common-sense bipartisanship and civility to the Statehouse,” Wittman said.

Libertarian Donald Rainwater said he was asked to participate in the Oct. 3 debate and expects to be invited to the Oct. 1 debate once details are finalized.

Braun’s campaign said the debates mirror the two he participated in when running for the U.S. Senate in 2018.

“As a Main Street Entrepreneur, I believe in competition and a spirited discussion about the issues facing Hoosiers, and that’s why I have once again agreed to two statewide debates that can be viewed across the state,” Braun said in written remarks.

Braun, McCormick and Rainwater will be on November’s general election ballot.

Braun snagged the Republican nomination in the May primary after beating out a crowded field by winning nearly 40% of the votes. McCormick was unopposed in her primary.