No Television Debates Set In GOP Governor's Race

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Some Republican gubernatorial candidates say GOP voters are being penalized because no television debates have been scheduled in the primary campaign.<br/><br/>US Representative Ernest

Thursday, July 13th 2006, 6:19 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Some Republican gubernatorial candidates say GOP voters are being penalized because no television debates have been scheduled in the primary campaign.

US Representative Ernest Istook, considered the favorite, is opposed by businessman Bob Sullivan and state Senator James Williamson, both of Tulsa, and Jim Evanoff of Mustang. The primary is set July 25th.

Williamson says it's strange that none of the major news stations have been interested in running debates. Without them, he says, voters will be denied a chance to see how the candidates stack up against each other under pressure.

On Monday, the state Republican Party staged a debate among six candidates for the 5th Congressional District.

Democrat Brad Henry is running for a second term as governor and faces a little-known primary foe.