MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey will not attend upcoming debates in the race for governor, drawing criticism from her rivals as she seeks to be elected to the office for the first time.
A spokeswoman for Ivey’s campaign said she will not attend two separate GOP primary debates this month being hosted by WVTM 13 and al.com. Campaign spokeswoman Debbee Hancock wrote in a Wednesday email that Ivey has official engagements those days. Her campaign did not respond to a question asking if Ivey would attend any debate.
Ivey’s challengers criticized what they say is her unwillingness to meet them on a debate stage.
“Kay Ivey has never been elected governor. I think she owes it to the people to answer their questions and make herself available, even if it means working extra hours in a day,” GOP challenger Scott Dawson said.
Ivey became governor last year when then-Gov. Robert Bentley resigned amid a push in the Alabama Legislature to impeach him after an alleged affair with a staffer.