Tuesday's televised 2nd Congressional District debate between Republican incumbent Ashley Hinson of Marion and Democratic challenger Liz Mathis of Hiawatha is canceled. In a release, Iowa PBS says it was due to QUOTE "unforeseen circumstances regarding candidate availability."
The announcement came the day Hinson was admitted into UnityPoint St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids to treat a kidney infection. According to the campaign, Hinson is feeling better but is still undergoing treatment and will remain in the hospital overnight.
Her opponent Liz Mathis wished her a speedy recovery, saying her campaign would turn efforts to get-out-the-vote ahead of early voting in Iowa starting Wednesday.
The debate has not been rescheduled. According to Iowa PBS, the campaigns were offered options for rescheduling prior to the midterm election. None of those dates were mutually acceptable to the campaigns.
Last week, both candidates participated in a debate held by KCCI, KCRG and KWQC.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and her Democratic challenger Diedre DeJear will face off in a debate in the only such meeting scheduled to be held before Election Day. It will be televised live tonight on Iowa PBS at 7:00 p.m. and you can hear the debate on Siouxland Public Media.
The candidates will meet for the debate a day after a Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll showed Reynolds holds a double-digit lead as the Republican seeks a second full term in office.
Reynolds is running on her record of cutting taxes and managing state finances, building up a billion dollar surplus in state funds. She is seeking the elimination of abortion rights. DeJear has been critical of the Republican controlled-government, saying Reynolds and GOP lawmakers are underfunding programs, including public schools. She supports abortion rights.
