Chaz Molder and Charlie Hatcher did something that has become unusual in Tennessee’s statewide and federal politics: They appeared on stage together.
The Democratic and Republican nominees in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District answered questions Wednesday night at a forum in Spring Hill hosted by several local chambers of commerce. One of the chamber hosts was clear, though: “This is not a debate,” she said, describing it instead as a civil forum about economic and other issues, with questions provided to candidates in advance and ground rules prohibiting attacks.
After the event, Molder told reporters that he still wants a proper debate, to which Hatcher originally agreed. Hatcher told reporters that Wednesday’s event was good enough.
Debates featuring both major-party nominees have become rare in Tennessee. Republican gubernatorial nominee Marsha Blackburn refused to appear alongside her opponents in both the primary and general election.
Hatcher and Molder are facing off in one of the state’s most hotly contested campaigns, despite a 5th District that should favor Republicans by more than 20 percentage points. Micheál O’Leary — a conservative independent, former local official in California and Irish pub owner also on the ballot — joined the two nominees for the event.