GOP gubernatorial hopeful Geoff Diehl solidified his intent Thursday to participate in two debates before the September primary — though he dodged any direct mention of his opponent Chris Doughty, a Wrentham business owner who’s called for a debate preceding the Massachusetts Republican Nominating Convention in May.
Doughty’s campaign soon fired back accusing Diehl of not being a serious candidate interested in defeating Attorney General Maura Healey, the frontrunner in the Democratic race for governor.
It was the second instance of sparring between Doughty and Diehl this week. Yet in the interim, headlines also turned to state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz — the underdog on the Democratic side — who challenged Healey to a pre-convention gubernatorial debate during the middle of a virtual forum that featured candidates running for other statewide offices.
Diehl’s campaign announced Thursday that Howie Carr and Jeff Kuhner agreed to one-hour debates on their radio shows in July or August, marking a departure from the type of moderated, televised debates other candidates have adamantly requested.
Diehl, who’s been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has collected more than 10,000 signatures on his nomination paperwork to ensure ballot access, his campaign said Thursday. The former state representative also garnered pledges from more than 15% of delegates to secure his name on the ballot.
“Diehl’s campaign has consistently said that Diehl would participate in debates as soon as any other challengers paid their required convention fee, submitted more than 10,000 certified signatures, and secured more than 15% of the vote at the convention,” the campaign said, in a milder dig against Doughty compared to recent days.
But Doughty’s campaign did not hold back on Thursday, claiming Diehl has shown “a complete lack of courage” by dismissing the pre-convention debate challenge.
“With this latest stunt, he has reinforced our message that we need a Republican nominee who can win in November and that he is not that person,” Holly Robichaud, Doughty’s campaign strategist, said in a statement.
“He might think that he is snubbing Chris,” Robichaud said of Diehl. “He’s not. He is snubbing the delegates and voters. They see right through this less than serious proposal.”
Doughty launched his unsuccessful debate challenge against Diehl last week, in a bid for more transparency with voters and as preparation for future encounters with Healey.
Doughty’s campaign said it agreed to a debate with the Norfolk County Republican Club on May 10 — a date that Diehl’s campaign said doesn’t work. Doughty’s campaign has already agreed to debate proposals with WGBH, WCVB and Jon Keller, as well.
Amanda Orlando, Diehl’s campaign manager, described Doughty’s debate challenge as premature last week.
In a reissued statement Monday, after Doughty renewed the debate invite, Orlando told MassLive: “Mr. Doughty has yet to achieve the 15% vote of delegates required at the MassGOP convention in order to proceed past that, nor has he gathered the requisite numbers of signatures to make the ballot in November.”
Related Content:
- AG Maura Healey again sidesteps debate proposal from gubernatorial opponent state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz during Massachusetts statewide candidate forum
- ‘We don’t want to be left out’: GOP gubernatorial Chris Doughty hopeful joins chorus of debate requests
- GOP gubernatorial candidates Geoff Diehl, Chris Doughty once again spar over pre-convention debates
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