Bondi and Kottkamp Issue Challenges for Debates in GOP AG Race

Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi and former Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Holly Benson are locked in a close race for the Republican nomination. On Thursday, Bondi sent a letter to the other two candidates calling for a series of debates, while Kottkamp issued a statement calling for them.

My team has already begun the process of identifying and speaking with public-policy groups that would be effective for organizing these functions, including the James Madison Institute, Florida Taxwatch and the Federalist Society, wrote Bondi. All three have indicated an interest in hosting a formal discussion.

This years race for attorney general is too important to be decided by TV commercials and direct mail, said Kottkamp. The next attorney general will continue Floridas lawsuit against the federal governments national health-care law, and handle legal issues resulting from the oil spill in the Gulf. Debates held in different regions of the state will allow voters to make a better-informed decision on whos best qualified to be Floridas attorney general. I call on my opponents in the race to accept this challenge and urge all three of our campaigns to begin negotiating dates and locations immediately.