By Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, The Republic | azcentral.com
A local Republican organizer’s decision to ban the media from an “Open Mic Forum” for gubernatorial candidates in Gilbert last week raised questions about access to future forums and debates.
As hundreds of Southeast Valley Republicans filed into the Campo Verde High School cafeteria Thursday, reporters were denied entry.
Tyler Bowyer, chairman of the Legislative District 17 Republican Committee in Chandler and Gilbert, told an Arizona Republic reporter the event was private. The public high-school cafeteria was reserved by the District 12 GOP committee, which pays to hold monthly meetings in the space. Only precinct committee members and their guests were allowed entry.
The Republic asked the candidates for governor whether they support or oppose opening future candidate forums and debates to the public and the media.
