On Wednesday, U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake called for the Arizona Green Party’s nominee for U.S. Senate, Eduardo Quintana, to be allowed to join a debate between her and Congressman Ruben Gallego.

The Lake campaign contacted the Citizens Clean Elections Commission and agreed to them extending an invitation to every candidate on the ballot, which would include Quintana. However, the Commission advised that Gallego would first have to agree to including Quintana in the debate as well.

So, here’s the main issue I have with this;

Why does @RubenGallego have to consent to my inclusion in the debate stage?

I’m a qualified candidate that will be on the ballot, same as Gallego and Lake.

I have every right to be there and for voters to hear me debate. https://t.co/rRViNymdsV

— Eduardo Quintana for U.S. Senate 🌻 (@Quintana4Senate) August 29, 2024

Quintana has made several pleas for both campaigns to “stand up for the right of voters to hear from all candidates running” and advocate for his inclusion in the debate.

“The Green Party’s nominee for U.S. Senate Eduardo Quintana will be on the ballot in November, and I believe we need to ensure that every candidate and every voter is heard and respected,” said Lake in a press release. “I urge Ruben to accept the proposal for Eduardo to be included in our debate. You cannot claim to be a “defender of democracy” when you refuse access to third-party candidates.”

Quintana thanked Lake for her support in a tweet:

I thank @KariLake for advocating for our campaign’s inclusion in the upcoming @AZCCEC sponsored Senate debate.

Kari and I have several important disagreements on policy, that’s no secret. But I applaud her for stepping up and demanding that all candidates be allowed to debate. https://t.co/rRViNymdsV

— Eduardo Quintana for U.S. Senate 🌻 (@Quintana4Senate) August 28, 2024