Jealous Campaign Drops Objection To Hagerstown Reporter’s Appearance As Debate Panelist

The Ben Jealous reversed course late Tuesday after reports they vetoed the appearance of a Herald-Mail reporter on the panel for the sole gubernatorial debate.

Kevin Harris, a senior adviser to the campaign, said in a statement officials “regret” the way debate negotiations unfolded “and our part in that process.”

Harris said the problem was not with the Hagerstown newspaper or State House reporter Tamela Baker and said campaifn officials would drop their veto. However, the statement did not explain why the campaign initially rejected her appearance on the panel.

The move followed a report that The Baltimore Sun was reconsidering its own involvement in the debate, set for next Monday.

That debate will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 24, and you'll be able to hear it live on WBAL NewsRadio 1090.

Rather, Harris sais they had a problem with the process of the panel’s selection and Gov. Larry Hogan’s campaign’s unwillingness to agree to additional debates. Jealous initially proposed five debates.

”It is clear that reaching a good faith agreement with our opponents is impossible, as they’d rather play politics than have an open process,” Harris said.

Hogan campaign spokesman Doug Mayer said the flap was a self-inflicted wound.

”Whatever little credibility Ben Jealous still had, it quickly evaporated with this latest ridiculous statement truing to dodge accountability for first turning down multiple debate opportunities, then trying to maneuver around media outlets he didnt want involved, and then vetoing reporters he doesnt like,” Mayer said. “But if it means we can get on with the debate on Monday, then we’re happy.”

A Jealous campaign spokesman earlier told the Herald-Mail both campaigns had a say in what outlets and panelists would participate, but didn't say why Baker was excluded.

Rebecca Snyder, executive director of the MDDC Press Association, said her group was "outraged" that Baker, who has covered Annapolis for the paper for three years, wasn't allowed to sit on the panel. She urged the Jealous campaign to reconsider.