ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (May 27, 2020) – Elisa Martinez, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, released the following statement after being the lone candidate to appear on the KTAL – Las Cruces radio Republican primary debate:

“I am disappointed that my opponents deemed it unnecessary to participate in the KTAL Las Cruces debate this morning,” said Elisa Martinez. “I believe it is unacceptable for a candidate looking to represent the people to duck debates. Voters deserve the opportunity to compare and contrast those who seek to serve them in government. Clearly, I am the only candidate who is unafraid to stand up for their conservative ideals, including and especially with the liberal media.”

The KTAL Republican primary debate was hosted live by progressive hosts Peter Goodman and Walt Rubel. Topics ranged from the COVID-19 response and healthcare to abortion and climate change. Mark Ronchetti, who has repeatedly refused to participate in primary debates, did not respond to multiple requests made by the hosts. Gavin Clarkson confirmed with the hosts that he would attend but was a no-show. Peter Goodman noted his absence and said, “Gavin was the one who pushed for this debate.”

“Elisa has accepted every formal debate invitation and continues to show that she is the only Republican candidate for U.S. Senate who is prepared to take on Ben Ray Lujan, the radical left and their media partners,” said campaign manager Ryan Lynch. “That is unsurprising when you consider that she is the only Republican candidate with a proven record of taking on the far-left and winning. Elisa is uniquely able to articulate her own life experience about the failure of Democrat big-government solutions on the Navajo reservation near her hometown of Gallup.”

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE KTAL DEBATE