Green challenges Blackburn to debate

NASHVILLE — Democratic candidate for Tennessee governor Jerri Green formally challenged her opponent, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., to a debate ahead of the November midterm elections. Green and Blackburn are the two frontrunners for governor, with the well-known Republican sporting a commanding 21-point lead over her Democratic opponent. Green offered Blackburn to name a time and place of her choosing, but suggested four locations: Brentwood (Blackburn's hometown), Memphis (Green's hometown), Nashville and Knoxville. "If you can't take the questions, you don't have the answers," Green said in an open letter to Blackburn. "Voters are owed the answers to their questions from anyone running for the top job in the state." Blackburn has not indicated whether she intends to participate in a debate. She did not participate in a primary debate this year, despite being challenged multiple times by her opponents. A spokesperson for her campaign did not respond to Six Rivers Media's request for comment. In her letter, Green harkened back to a column Blackburn wrote in 2024 following an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump, titled "Now More Than Ever, America Needs Robust, Bipartisan, and Respectful Debate." "For 248 years, robust, bipartisan, and respectful debate has been the hallmark of our nation's political process," Blackburn wrote. "While debates can often be contentious, only through open deliberation can we freely express our beliefs, challenge others' viewpoints and figure out the best path forward for our country."