Gordon Friedman

Statesman Journal

Gov. Kate Brown is setting her own terms for debates this election cycle, choosing not to debate Republican nominee Bud Pierce until September 1 — less than seven weeks before ballots are mailed to voters.

Campaign manager Michael Kolenc said Wednesday that Brown will agree to at least three debates televised regionally in Portland, Eugene and Southern Oregon. Other debates will be considered on an ad hoc basis depending on Brown's availability, debate format and neutrality of the sponsoring organization, according to a campaign statement.

"The governor is not hiding from anyone … This is simply a prioritization of her time doing state business," Kolenc said.

Brown, who is running for re-election for the first time, drew criticism from editorial boards and on social media for declining to debate.

She was also slammed for not taking a stand on a controversial ballot measure that would create the largest single tax increase in Oregon history. Despite her public neutrality on the tax measure, Brown released a plan on what to do with the revenue raised by the tax, should it pass in November.

Last week Brown took heat from editorial boards for electing to skip the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association debate. The ONPA debate traditionally kicks off general election campaigning in Oregon. Pierce will appear despite Brown's absence.

Pierce, a cancer doctor in Salem, said Wednesday that he's disappointed Brown declined the debate invitation.

"I'll be ready to debate any place, any time under fair rules," Pierce said. "I'm busy, she's busy … She has time, she just doesn’t want to do it."

Kolenc said September has been the historical start to campaign season. "I'm not sure Oregonians are hungry for an earlier start to their campaign season," he said.

Brown became governor in February 2015 after John Kitzhaber resigned amid accusations of influence peddling. She had been Secretary of State since her election in 2008 and has held elected office since being appointed to the state House in 1991.

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