Andrew Eldgredge-Martin

In both the 3rd and 8th Congressional Districts, challengers and incumbents have begun the process of negotiating when and how debates will occur between them. Sen. Pres. Tim Bee (R-Tucson) is in talks with his opponent, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) about the possibilities, as are U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) and his challenger, Bob Lord. 

On July 30, 3rd district Democratic contender Bob Lord's campaign sent a letter to the campaign of U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) requesting a series of three debates during September and October, each to focus on "a related set of issues facing our nation," suh as "national security, foreign policy, and veterans issues," etc. Andrew Eldredge-Martin, Lord's campaign manager and the one who sent off the letter, stipulated that his organization wanted the debates prior to the start of early voting on Oct. 2. The Lord campaign officially announced the invitation Thursday.

Shadegg has responded with a counter-offer: "six televised debates with each covering the broad range of issues important to the voters of Congressional District 3." Shadegg campaign manager Sean Noble said in his letter to the Lord camapign, "We agree there should be some debates prior to early voting, but in fairness to all of the voters in the District, there should be others after early voting starts." Noble proposed the first debate be on KAET's Horizon program. So far the Lord campaign has not responded back.

Bob Lord, the Democrat opposing U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) in the 3rd Congressional District, held a press event today during which he attacked his opponent for supporting the "privatization" of Social Security.

Flanked by senior citizens from the district, Lord addressed a small gathering of supporters and staff at his campaign office and condemned Shadegg for supporting Pres. Bush's plan to create "personal accounts" within the Social Security structure.

Lord also discussed second quarter fundraising totals, which, while robust, paled in comparison to Shadegg's take of more than half a million dollars.

While Rep. John Shadegg (R-3) painted his vote against the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act today as a strike against tax increases, Bob Lord, his Democratic rival, portrayed it as "breaking a promise" to support renewable energy.

Shadegg contends that the bill increases taxes on some while giving tax breaks to "trial lawyers and Hollywood movie producers," while Lord maintains that the bill is "critical" to the creation of "green-collar jobs" in Arizona.