Utah congressional hopeful blasts Burgess Owens for not debating

DRAPER, Utah (KUTV) — The Republican trying to unseat first-term Utah Congressman Burgess Owens blasted his opponent for not agreeing to debate him during this primary election cycle.

Jake Hunsaker, who’s running in Utah’s fourth congressional district in next month’s GOP primary, held a news conference Tuesday morning outside Owens’ campaign office in Draper. He criticized Owens, who has yet to agree to a debate before the June 28 election. Ballots will be sent out starting next week.

“He has given no explanation as to why he’s refusing every single opportunity to debate me,” said Hunsaker, adding that he believes Owens is “scared of himself and the likelihood that he may incriminate himself in a variety of very questionable occurrences and practices that have come to light in his short time in federal office.”

Owens’ campaign responded with a statement to KUTV 2News late Tuesday night.

"It's unfortunate that our opponent has chosen to launch his political career by engaging in mudslinging and lies. The people of Utah deserve better," said spokesman Sean Flignor. "The campaign has never said we would not debate. These are desperate lies being spread by our political opponent. Congressman Owens is currently looking at possible dates to debate in June."

Hunsaker’s news conference came one day before the scheduled fourth congressional district debate sponsored by the Utah Debate Commission. At this point, Owens has declined to take part, which means Hunsaker will likely be alone during the Wednesday event, which begins at 1:00 p.m.

“I believe that voters tomorrow will see an empty podium on the stage that was meant for the person that claims to be representing their voice in Washington,” Hunsaker said.

Other Republican candidates have also declined to take part in Utah Debate Commission-sponsored debates this election cycle. That came at the urging of party chair Carson Jorgensen who cited concerns about moderators and issues and said “only Republicans” should decide how the debates should proceed.

But there is no fourth district debate sponsored by the Utah GOP because Owens declined that as well. Hunsaker called on the party Tuesday to still host a debate, but Jorgensen said that’s not going to happen since Owens won’t take part.

“The debate does nobody any good with one candidate,” Jorgensen told KUTV 2News. “The party is not going to host a town hall for candidates.”

Jorgensen said the party reached out to all candidates in all races, but ultimately, it’s “up to the campaigns to decide for themselves.”