Bayh, Ballard & Shillings jointly call on Fox59 to include all candidates in Secretary of State debate

Submitted

Three of the four candidates for Indiana Secretary of State are jointly calling on FOX59 to include all candidates to participate in its upcoming televised debate.

FOX59 has excluded Ballard and Shillings from the debate, despite both candidates polling at least 5 percent in a recent independent public poll. The station is requiring candidates to poll above 10 percent to participate, but has discretion to make exceptions in the public interest.

The three campaigns are calling on FOX59 to exercise that discretion, citing the unusual consequences of this election for political competition in Indiana. Under state law, candidates receiving at least 2 percent of the vote for Secretary of State secure statewide ballot access for their political parties for the next four years, while parties receiving at least 10 percent qualify to nominate candidates through state-administered primary elections.

There are still enough undecided voters for both Ballard and Shillings to potentially surpass that 10 percent mark.

In a joint statement, the three campaigns stated:

“We believe all candidates on the ballot deserve the opportunity to make their case to voters, particularly in an election where the results will determine whether political parties gain statewide ballot access for the next four years.

“More voices in the conversation make for a healthier democracy. No party has a monopoly on good ideas, and competition increases accountability. Hoosiers deserve to hear from everyone in this debate.”