OLYMPIA — Washington gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee agreed Wednesday to take part in a debate sponsored by the Association of Washington Business after previously refusing to participate.
Inslee spokeswoman Jaime Smith said the campaign had hoped the business group would consider dates closer to the election. That didn’t happen, but Smith said the campaign is going to make it work.
Smith previously said the campaign would not participate, arguing that the organization had operated in bad faith by confirming the debate before the Inslee campaign agreed to it.
“We are pleased that Candidate Inslee will participate in our debate and look forward to having a vigorous discussion of the key issues facing Washington state before a live audience,” said AWB President Don Brunell in a statement.
The Association of Washington Business debate is currently the first one on the calendar, scheduled to take place June 12 in Spokane. Inslee, who recently left his seat in Congress to campaign for governor, has agreed to four debates, while Republican opponent Rob McKenna is pushing some 15 debates in the coming months.
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