John Croisant, the Democratic nominee hoping to flip Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District, is publicly pressing Republican nominee Mark Tedford to meet him on a debate stage before voters head to the polls next month. So far, Tedford's campaign has not said a word about it.
Croisant is a Tulsa Public Schools board member, former teacher and insurance agency owner who argues that voters deserve to hear both candidates answer the same questions before the Nov. 3 general election, according to The Black Wall Street Times. As of Oct. 1, the outlet reported, no news organization or civic group had stepped forward to host such an event, and neither campaign responded to the publication by its deadline. Croisant also sat down for an interview with KOKI FOX 23's Rick Maranon to discuss his campaign ahead of the midterm, per the station.
An Open Seat Up for Grabs
The race exists because Republican Kevin Hern, the Tulsa congressman who has held the 1st District seat, opted to run for the U.S. Senate instead of seeking reelection to the House. His decision, as reported by KOSU, left the seat open and touched off a crowded scramble on the Republican side.
Eleven candidates appeared on the June Republican primary ballot, the station notes. Jackson Lahmeyer and Tedford advanced to a runoff, but Lahmeyer withdrew the very next day, clearing Tedford's path to the nomination, the same report states. Croisant, meanwhile, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, moving straight to the general election as his party's nominee.
A Steep Climb, by One Forecaster's Measure
The Cook Political Report has called the contest a steep uphill fight for Croisant, saying Tedford should easily win the general election in November — a forecast that underscores why Croisant is eager for a debate that could put his campaign in front of a wider audience.
Croisant's platform centers on families, schools and the economy, according to a Fox affiliate's election guide.
Early voting in Oklahoma is set to run from Oct. 28 through Oct. 31, ahead of the Nov. 3 general election when Croisant and Tedford are both scheduled to appear on the ballot. Whether a debate materializes before then remains an open question — one that, as of the most recent reporting, Tedford's campaign has yet to answer.
