Canova accepts Channel 10’s offer to host debate, challenges Wasserman Schultz to agree

HOLLYWOOD, Fla.—Calls from newspaper editorial boards and other prominent voices are all asking why Debbie Wasserman Schultz won’t debate her opponent, Tim Canova. Canova has been calling for a series of debates with Wasserman Schultz for the past two months. Now Canova has accepted Channel 10’s offer to host debates between the two candidates, and has called upon Wasserman Schultz to do the same.

Since announcing his campaign in January, Canova has racked up impressive endorsements from labor groups and others, generating more than $2 million in small-dollar donations, and generally garnering praise for his campaign’s issue-based challenge against Wasserman Schultz’s cozy relationship with corporate lobbyists, her support for the payday lending industry, her opposition to medical marijuana, and her vote to fast-track the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

In the last couple weeks, calls for Wasserman Schultz to debate Canova have been picked up in the Miami Herald, Sun-Sentinel and on Miami radio.  

Earlier this month, the Sun-Sentinel called for Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz to agree to a debate with Tim Canova, noting, “Having skimped on Clinton-Sanders debates, we hope Wasserman Schultz agrees to debate Canova, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University… Canova has every right to challenge Wasserman Schultz, and Sanders has every right to endorse Canova.” 

WPLG-TV’s Michael Putney followed that call with an op-ed in the Miami Herald, writing, “[V]oters deserve to see the candidates debate all the issues at least once. Channel 10 is offering the venue. Canova says he’ll be there. Wasserman Schultz should, too. After all, she’s the one with experience, used to standing in the well of the House and boxing the media gaggle. He’s a novice, but a worthy contender. Come on, Debbie, say ‘Yes.’ Let the debate begin.”

Fernand Amandi echoed the call on News Radio 610 WIOD, and noted, “We also hope to have another [debate] on this program as well.” 

“I’m happy to accept Channel 10’s offer,” Canova said. “At the very least, the voters in District 23 deserve to hear where we stand on the issues, and to hear why Debbie Wasserman Schultz has been supporting the payday lending industry over hardworking Floridians. She’s now trying to walk it back by endorsing some recent federal regulations of payday lenders that don’t go nearly far enough. She should do the right thing and defend her record in public debates, instead of hiding from her record.”

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