By Hannah Elsmore | Arizona Capitol Times
A Freedom Caucus senator is still pressing to include a Green Party candidate in the U.S. Senate debate, which is just one week away.
The ongoing feud between Sen. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, and the Citizens Clean Elections Commission is centered around their decision to require that candidates receive at least 1% of the total ballots cast in all primaries to participate in general election debates.
The commission partnered with the Arizona Media Association for broadcasting during the election cycle, and the two decided on the rules that would govern the debate season.
The rule excluded Green Party candidate Eduardo Quintana from the U.S. Senate debate between candidates Kari Lake, a Republican, and Ruben Gallego, a Democrat. Quintana fell significantly short of the requirement, with about .02% of the total primary votes cast.
