POLITICS & ELECTIONS

Republican challenger calls Rep. Owens a ‘coward’ for avoiding debates

May 31, 2022, 5:56 PM

Challenger Jake Hunsaker speaking outside of Burgess Owens office....

Challenger Jake Hunsaker speaking outside of Burgess Owens office.

DRAPER, Utah – The Republican challenger in Utah’s 4th Congressional District calls incumbent Rep. Burgess Owens a “coward” for not participating in upcoming debates.

Challenger Jake Hunsaker held a press conference outside Owens’s congressional office in Draper, Utah Tuesday afternoon. He spoke on Owens’s lack of participation and the Utah Republican Party for discouraging debates not sanctioned by the party.

The Utah Debate Commission scheduled a debate between Hunsaker and Owens for Wednesday, which Hunsaker is only attending.

“This, unfortunately, comes as no surprise to Congressional District Four voters like me,” Hunsaker told KSL-TV. “Owens has been absent from Utah since the day he took office. He’s afraid of tough questions. Nervous, he’ll incriminate himself.”

Hunsaker continued at the press conference claiming that Owens is using name recognition as his only tool to win the election.

“This is just another sign of my opponent views the entire electoral process as a threat to his game of toxic electoral politics rather than an essential piece of the American democracy,” Hunsaker said.

He also went after GOP leaders for not pushing candidates to debate in non-GOP sponsored debates.

“GOP leaders, don’t be a safe haven for absenteeism and cowardice,” Hunsaker said.

Earlier in May, GOP Chairman Carson Jorgensen asked candidates not to participate in Utah Debate Commission debates.

 

The Facebook post from the Utah Republican Party on May 10th asking candidates to only debate in GOP sponsored events.

He claims that Owens has rejected four possible debates, but Owens’s campaign refutes these accusations.

“It’s unfortunate that our opponent has chosen to launch his political career by engaging in mudslinging and lies. The people of Utah deserve better,” Jesse Ranney, Owens campaign spokesman, told Deseret News. “These are desperate lies being spread by our political opponent.”

Ranney said they are looking for possible debate dates in June.

Chairman Jorgensen also spoke to Deseret News and said they tried to organize a debate between the two candidates, but Owens’s campaign didn’t give them a reason for not participating in their debate.

Jorgenson also calls Hunsaker’s strategy of attacking the Republican Party, “bold.”

“Hunsaker can come at the party all he wants, but we have gone above and out of our way to make sure that debates happen, and it’s probably not a good thing to start attacking the party right now,” he said.

Deseret News asked Jorgenson about Ranney’s June debate plan, but he hasn’t heard those plans.

Currently, the 4th Congressional District Republican race is the only Utah federal race without both candidates debating.

In the case of the 2nd Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Chris Stewart and challenger Erin Rider will not participate with Utah Debate Commission but will attend the Utah GOP-sponsored debate on Tuesday night on KRNS radio.

While Sen. Mike Lee will skip the commission debate leaving it to the two challengers, Becky Edwards and Ally Isom, to debate on Thursday, Lee will join them in the unannounced GOP’s sponsor debate.

 

 

 

KSL 5 TV Live

Politics & Elections

President Joe Biden speaks in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2...

Farnoush Amiri, Associated Press

House Republicans invite President Biden to testify at public hearing as impeachment inquiry stalls

House Republicans have invited President Joe Biden to testify before Congress on their stalled monthslong impeachment inquiry.

3 hours ago

Lehi homes...

Daniel Woodruff

Governor highlights bills to help Utah homebuyers, but will they make a difference?

Gov. Spencer Cox on Thursday highlighted several new bills he just signed into law that are aimed at getting more buyers into the market.

7 hours ago

FILE - President Joe Biden, accompanied by first lady Jill Biden blows his whistle for the start of...

Darlene Superville, Associated Press

The White House expects about 40,000 participants at its ‘egg-ucation’-themed Easter egg roll

The White House says it's getting ready to welcome 40,000 people to its annual Easter Egg Roll.

9 hours ago

Caroline Gleich wants to change what a senator should look like...

Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com

Caroline Gleich wants to change what people think a senator should ‘look’ like

"I don't look like a U.S. senator." It's a message professional ski mountaineer and Democratic Senate candidate Caroline Gleich has heard often enough as she began her first televised ad of the 2024 cycle by addressing it.

11 hours ago

small housing units...

Debbie Worthen

Utah’s micro-shelter pilot program gets extension to help homeless

A micro-shelter pilot program will stay in place for at least six more months.

1 day ago

The Cache County Council took up the e-mail controversy...

Mike Anderson

A single text stirs political fallout in Cache County election

A text message is blowing up into a whole lot of political fallout in Cache County.

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Republican challenger calls Rep. Owens a ‘coward’ for avoiding debates