US Senate candidates to debate on Arizona PBS

Two Republican U.S. Senate candidates will square off June 21 during a televised debate on Arizona PBS.

Michael “Mick” McGuire, the retired adjutant general of the Arizona National Guard, and Justin Olson, a member of the Arizona Corporation Commission, have agreed to participate.

Three other GOP Senate hopefuls — including Blake Masters, the longtime associate of Paypal co-founder Peter Thiel, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump — were invited but will not appear.

The 30-minute debate will be moderated by Ted Simons of Arizona PBS, which traditionally televises U.S. Senate race debates, often in conjunction with The Arizona Republic.

The Masters campaign had suggested Masters might consider the event if Mark Brnovich, the Arizona attorney general, or Jim Lamon, the founder and former chair of Depcom Power, also agreed to take part.

“Blake would like to debate the other top two candidates, neither of whom accepted this debate invitation,” according to a statement from the campaign.

Brnovich’s campaign cited time constraints as his reason for not participating.

“As Attorney General, Mark Brnovich has a distinguished record of service to Arizona that can be readily viewed. He also makes himself available to the media and the public and will continue to do so,” his campaign said in a written statement.

“Running one of the most productive AG offices in the country, however, imposes certain time limitations which require selection of only the most unbiased and professional forums to best inform Arizona voters of his record. As Arizona’s Attorney General, Brnovich will continue to do the work Arizona voters elected him to do.”

A Lamon spokesperson said Lamon had another engagement that day.

The debate will air at 7 p.m. on June 21 on Arizona PBS/KAET-TV (Channel 8).