Controller candidate opts out of debate

BOISE – Another Republican candidate has rejected a statewide debate on Idaho Public Television.

Donna Jones, running against Democrat Jackie Groves Twilegar for controller, said Wednesday she won’t debate Oct. 27.

Twilegar said Jones debated poorly in 2002 on Idaho Public Television against current controller Keith Johnson, and fears a repeat performance.

Jones’ move follows Jim Risch, the GOP candidate for lieutenant governor, and U.S. Rep. C.L. “Butch” Otter, R-Idaho, the Republican vying to be governor. They previously declined invitations for public TV debates.

Risch will debate Democrat Larry LaRocco and Otter will debate Democrat Jerry Brady on other TV channels. No other debates between Twilegar and Jones are planned.

Jones said that because Risch and Otter had opted out of the Idaho Public Television event that’s also sponsored by the League of Women Voters and Idaho Press Club, “it didn’t make a lot of sense to have a controller’s debate.

“I have a full-time position until the end of the month,” said Jones, who directs the Idaho Real Estate Commission. “I have one month to campaign full time. Quite frankly, I have other priorities that I need to take care of (than debating).”

Jones said TV viewers would be little interested in seeing a debate by candidates for controller, adding the position has only limited policy-making scope. The controller sits on the Idaho Board of Land, whose members govern how the state’s lands are managed, she conceded.

But “the governor chairs the Land Board,” Jones said. “The governor sets the tone. The controller sits on the Land Board, you participate in the discussion. But, without the (governor debate on public TV), I just see no reason for the controller debate.”