Elissa Slotkin is failing Michigan voters

With the retirement of Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), the primary on Aug. 6 has sparked controversy due to a refusal among candidates from both parties to stand before the voters and debate. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) opted out of a scheduled debate with her primary opponent, citing the Republican candidate's decision not to participate. Michigan voters deserve to hear from the people running to represent them in the Senate .

Slotkin is campaigning with her experience as a Middle East analyst who served three tours in Iraq alongside the U.S. military. Slotkin was a member of both the Bush and Obama national security team before she decided to run for Congress.

Slotkin's primary challenger is actor Hill Harper, who has publicly expressed eagerness to engage in four debates across the state. Despite being significantly outspent, with a campaign fund of just over $2 million compared to Slotkin's $16.1 million, Harper has continued to call for debates throughout the campaign. The decision by Slotkin to decline these debates should be criticized as an act of cowardice by both voters and onlookers.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce, which was slated to host the debate, expressed disappointment over the candidates' reluctance to participate. Brad Williams, the chamber's vice president of government relations, said, "It seems apparent from conversations both publicly and privately that both the front-runners want to skip the primary."

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A June 3 poll from Mitchell Research and Communications suggests Slotkin is polling 53% to Hill’s 8%. While this polling suggests an overwhelming lead for Slotkin, the absence of debates should raise concern among constituents. Michigan voters deserve the opportunity to hear directly from those seeking to represent them. Informed decision-making is a key part of the electoral process. Slotkin's refusal to debate is a failure to fulfill her responsibility to engage with voters and provide them with all available options.

The debate avoidance by leading candidates in the Michigan primary should continue to draw criticism for depriving the electorate of crucial opportunities to hear candidate perspectives and make informed choices.