DA race heats up over scrapped debate

A planned second debate on public television between the Harris County district attorney candidates has been cancelled.

Producers of the KUHT show, "Red, White & Blue," about Houston politics, had announced on Sept. 27 that a second debate between incumbent Republican District Attorney Devon Anderson and Democratic challenger Kim Ogg would be taped and aired on the local PBS station.

Three days after the announcement, however, Anderson cancelled, according to Gary Polland, a Republican who co-hosts the show with Democrat David Jones.

The show has for years televised area debates that are taped in the studio. The Anderson-Ogg debate was set to have been taped Wednesday and aired on Friday.

On Wednesday, Ogg accused Anderson of cancelling her appearance on the show because of her performance at the only other debate between the two on Sept. 26.

"Ms. Anderson became visibly angry when confronted with her failed public safety record, allegations of prosecutorial misconduct and the shameful treatment of rape victims," Ogg said in a statement. "This race is the most important local election in Harris County on the ballot in November. Voters deserve an honest debate because so much is at stake."

Officials with Anderson's campaign said Wednesday that she has already debated Ogg.

"We did debate. All media was invited. KPRC streamed it live," said Sara Kinney, a spokeswoman for Anderson's campaign. "We never agreed to 'Red White & Blue.' There was no 'abruptly cancelled' anything."

Over the summer, Ogg accepted an invitation to a face-off before the Houston Chronicle's editorial board, which Anderson declined. After Anderson's refusal to meet, the board endorsed Ogg. The incumbent has also declined Chronicle requests for interviews about her campaign and her initiatives.

Anderson's spokeswoman said the candidate did not appear before the editorial board because of an "obvious bias."

"We didn't agree to the Chronicle sponsored debate because we didn't think that a level playing field would be provided given who they have endorsed in the race," Kinney said.

Kinney also pointed out that Anderson is running her campaign while helming the largest district attorney's office in Texas.

"The DA's schedule is very tight among the office responsibilities, the campaign trail and being a single mom," she said.