Coronavirus fears have prompted organizers of the Democratic debate in Phoenix to cancel the planned head-to-head event in Arizona, and will instead hold it at a studio in Washington, D.C., Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., told The Arizona Republic on Thursday.

Gallego, who helped Phoenix land its first debate in years, said Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez informed him of the change in plans during a phone call Thursday morning.

"Out of an abundance of caution and in order to reduce cross-country travel, all parties have decided that the best path forward is to hold Sunday's debate at CNN's studio in Washington, D.C., with no live audience," DNC spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa said in a written statement.

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Local and national organizers initially selected Phoenix to underscore the state’s importance as a presidential battleground and the efforts by Democrats to build on momentum they saw during the 2018 cycle, where Democrats won four statewide seats. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema became the first Democrat in 30 years to win a Senate seat. But the event was dramatically scaled back earlier this week because of the new coronavirus outbreak, which prompted President Donald Trump on Wednesday night to announce sweeping travel restrictions on 26 European countries in an effort to stop the spread of the virus.

Earlier this week, at the request of candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and former Vice President Joe Biden, organizers scrapped plans for a live audience at the debate. The debate was scheduled to take place at the Arizona Federal Theatre, the downtown Phoenix venue long known as Comerica Theatre.

Organizers also halted plans for a debate spin room and press filing center.

The Phoenix debate was sponsored by CNN and Univision and in partnership with CHC Bold, the political arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Spokespeople for CNN and the Democratic National Committee did not immediately respond to The Arizona Republic's requests for comment about debate plans.

CNN reported that Univision's Jorge Ramos, one of the original debate moderators, was potentially exposed to coronavirus, but is not showing any symptoms. He will not moderate the debate, the DNC said. Instead, the network's Ilia Calderón will moderate in his place.

“Our number one priority has and will continue to be the safety of our staff, campaigns, and all those involved in the debate," Hinojosa said.

The debate is still set to air Sunday at 5 p.m. Arizona time.

Have news to share about Arizona's U.S. senators or national politics? Reach the reporter on Twitter and Facebook. Contact her at yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com and 602-444-4712.

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