Blum challenges Vernon to 10 debates

WATERLOO - Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Rod Blum challenged his newly nominated Democratic opponent Monica Vernon to a series of 10 debates across the 1st District starting in August.

Blum, a Dubuque businessman, proposes holding two debates in both the Cedar Rapids area and the Cedar Valley; one debate each in Dubuque, Marshalltown, Grinnell and Decorah; and two debates in rural communities to be determined by the campaigns.

The 1st District is comprised of 20 counties in northeast Iowa.

'This election should be an honest contest of ideas, and I hope you'll accept this offer to give voters of the 1st District an opportunity to hear for themselves about our differing visions for America,” Blum said in the letter to Vernon. 'Iowans deserve to know where each stand on the issues involving our federal government and how we believe we can best move our country forward.”

Blum's campaign said it would work closely with Vernon's to organize the 10 debates to reach a mutual agreement on the terms and structures of the events. He proposed the debates be aired on television and radio, and before live audiences.

Vernon, a former Cedar Rapids City Council member, responded by proposing two televised debates in keeping with 'the precedent set” from the 1st District's 2012 and 2014 general election cycles.

'I am eager to debate Congressman Blum, so I can explain to him what real people need right here in northeast Iowa,” Vernon said in a statement. 'Instead of focusing on how we create more economic opportunities, we have a Congressman who has embarrassed us by calling for a recession, has voted to dismantle Social Security and Medicare as we know it, and is against funding that would allow more of our kids to go to college.”

She proposes the two debates be held in the hometowns of each of the candidates - Cedar Rapids and Dubuque - and that they be held in October. The election will be on Nov. 8.

Vernon is making her second bid for the seat, after losing in the 2014 primary to Dubuque Democrat Pat Murphy. Blum, who is in first term, narrowly beat Murphy in the general election.

Challengers typically propose a number of debates against incumbents. Earlier this week, for example, Democrat Patty Judge proposed four televised debates with longtime incumbent U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, to be held in the largest media markets.

The number of general election debates varies from race to race, though often fewer than five are held.

In 2014, Blum and Murphy debated just twice. Two debates also were held in 2012 when incumbent U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley faced a challenge from Republican Ben Lange.