The woman running against U.S. Congressman Byron Donalds is publicly challenging him to a debate.
But will Donalds debate Kari Lerner before the ballots go out?
At least one local group says they've been asking for a debate, but so far, no luck.
“Byron Donalds, I challenge you to debate where we can ask questions and be asked questions about where you really stand,” Lerner said.
The Democrat wants the chance to face her Republican opponent.
“You name the date and the place, and I will be there,” Lerner said.
But getting a date and place, she said, has been impossible.
“He hasn't declined, and he won't respond,” Lerner said.
When asked why she thinks her opponent won’t face off with her, she believes he is concerned about calls for an ethics investigation.
In a letter obtained by NBC2 , the campaign legal center filed a complaint with the U.S. Office of Congressional Ethics asking to investigate Donalds, claiming he made more than 100 stock trades valued at $1.6 million and didn't file the necessary federal paperwork required by law.
When asked what she may do if Donalds doesn’t agree to a debate Lerner said she plans to hold town hall meetings in the district.
Chet Sadler is with the Progressive Club of the Island on Sanibel, and he is urging Donalds to debate Lerner. He said his group is willing to host the debate.
“This year, we haven't gotten any response from Byron. It's been a difficult time,” Sadler said.
FGCU political science professor Dr. Sandra Pavelka said a debate is so important to an election.
She says not debating hurts the voters.
“I truly believe voters are cheated if they don't hear from those candidates,” Pavelka said.
The clock is ticking ballots go out to voters on Oct. 1. That's just 18 days from now.
NBC2 reached out to Donalds' office several times in the last two days to find out if he was considering a debate and we did not hear back.
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