







window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-5', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 5', target_type: 'mix' });









window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-10', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 10', target_type: 'mix' });









window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-15', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 15', target_type: 'mix' });







window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-18', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 18', target_type: 'mix' });



























Photo: Jae C. Hong / The Associated Press Image 1 of / 19 Caption Close Image 2 of 19 Photo: The Associated Press Image 3 of 19 Photo: Justin Sullivan / The Associated Press Image 4 of 19 Photo: The Associated Press Image 5 of 19 Image 6 of 19 Photo: Getty Images Image 7 of 19 Photo: Getty Images Image 8 of 19 Photo: Getty Images Image 9 of 19 Photo: Getty Images Image 10 of 19 Image 11 of 19 Photo: Getty Images Image 12 of 19 Photo: Getty Images Image 13 of 19 Photo: The Associated Press Image 14 of 19 Photo: David Goldman / The Associated Press Image 15 of 19 Image 16 of 19 Photo: Charlie Neibergall / The Associated Press Image 17 of 19 Photo: Don Emmert / Getty Images Image 18 of 19 Photo: Chris O\'Meara / The Associated Press Image 19 of 19 Texans petition for a Ron Paul / Mitt Romney debate in Houston prior to May 29 primary 1 / 19 Back to Gallery

With Rick Santorum out and Newt Gingrich close behind him, most Republicans would say that the primary contest is over and Mitt Romney is all but officially the GOP nominee.

However, Chelsea Willis from Batson, Texas, and more than 6,000 others who have signed her online petition would beg to differ. The petition, posted on change.org, calls for a nationally televised Republican presidential debate in Houston on Thursday, May 24 between the remaining candidates.

At one point, the Texas GOP was working on making the debate a reality, with commitments from Santorum, Gingrich and Ron Paul, and interest from a major network, said Chris Elam, director of communications for the Republican Party of Texas. However, after Santorum dropped out, plans fell by the wayside.

Since then, many have accepted Romney as the GOP nominee. Willis argues that many Republicans in later-voting states have not yet had the opportunity to voice their opinions.

“We haven’t even picked all the delegates yet,” she said. “It’s not over until it’s over, and I’ve got supporters from all sides telling me they agree.”

In her petition, Willis outlines four reasons for the late-in-the-season debate: to solidify understanding of candidates’ stances, to encourage public discourse, to demonstrate clear differences between candidates and to encourage voter participation.

Thus far, there have been 27 Republican presidential debates, but the petition argues that the volatile nature of the campaign cycle brings constant change that can confuse voters. The last debate took place in Ohio on March 3.

“New details come out about the platforms of the candidates on a daily basis and it is impossible to keep up with the updates,” the petition reads. “A public debate can clarify confusion.”

Despite the fact that Romney is the assumed nominee, a debate between him and Congressman Paul could be interesting. The two have been particularly easy on each other throughout the race and even accused of working together.

Willis said a Paul vs. Romney debate is something she and supporters of the petition would really like to witness.

At this point, the Texas GOP is no longer interested in a Republican presidential debate, Elam said. However, the party is hoping candidates will speak at the state convention taking place in early June.

But Willis, who is attending the state convention and attempting to become a delegate herself, doesn’t plan to give up on the petition. She said she will continue to seek support and push for the debate.

“If I can show there are enough people who actually want the debate, then that should convince a news network and Romney to participate,” she said.