Will They or Won't They? No Plans Yet for Pasch, Darling Debate

With less than four weeks to go before she squares off against state Sen. Alberta Darling in the recall election, state Rep. Sandy Pasch says she’s ready for a public debate.

Pasch, a Democrat from Whitefish Bay vying for Darling's 8th District Senate seat in the Aug. 9 election, said also she is miffed as to why the Republican incumbent turned down requests for two debates.

However, Darling's campaign says there will be "a couple" of a debates, it's just that the details haven't yet been worked out.

Pasch, in a statement, said she was disappointed by Darling's rejection of requests for debates that came from two special-interest groups, Disability Rights Wisconsin and Advocates for Education.

"Now that we've completed the wasteful, dishonest, GOP-concocted primary, I had hoped Senator Darling would begin taking debate requests seriously, but clearly that is not the case," Pasch said. "I cannot be more disappointed to hear Senator Darling is not interested in addressing the important issues facing some of the most vulnerable in our society.

"We are still waiting on Darling to confirm a date for additional reputable hosts, but have been given no sign of good intent," Pasch added.

However, Darling campaign manager Andrew Davis told Patch Thursday that while while the campaign declined these particular invitations, the two candidates will go head to head before Election Day.

"Both sides have agreed to a couple forums, but there's only a month (before the election) and Senator Darling needs to spend her time talking to voters," Davis said.

Pasch spokesman Dave Kreisman said the Democrat has been ready to go with the two forums for a while, and the campaign has been waiting on Darling's office to respond.

"Time is running out," he said. "We've been chomping at the bit."

to advance to the general recall election.