Second Peoria mayoral debate at WTVP canceled after Kelly backs out, asks for new date
WTVP-TV has canceled its scheduled debate between Peoria mayoral candidates Rita Ali and John Kelly that was slated for March 17.
Kelly pulled out of the debate, telling the Journal Star he had a problem with it falling on St. Patrick's Day. He said in a statement he has many other events to attend as a candidate that day.
Kelly said he informed WTVP on Sunday, March 9 that he would not be available for the scheduled debate.
"I have simply asked WTVP that if they want to host an unprecedented second debate to please find another date," Kelly said. "Again, I am open to a second WTVP debate on another date."
Ali to the Journal Star on Tuesday she had no comment about Kelly backing out of the debate.
More: Grayeb endorses Ali for Peoria mayor, accuses Kelly of running a 'dirty' campaign
WTVP said in a statement that the debate cannot be rescheduled because of its close proximity to the April 1 general election day.
WTVP also said that Kelly confirmed his participation in the event as recently as Saturday, March 8, but then informed Roberta Parks of the Peoria League of Women Voters on Monday, March 10, that he would be backing out.
'It's disappointing,' Parks said in a statement. 'When candidates don't make time to talk to wide swaths of voters simultaneously, everyone loses.'
Kelly and Ali are still scheduled to meet in a debate on Thursday night that will be moderated by WEEK-TV 25 and 90.7 FM.
More: Peoria's city manager Patrick Urich could be getting another raise
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria mayoral debate at WTVP canceled after John Kelly backs out
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