JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Sponsors are canceling a Mississippi campaign debate after a U.S. senator and one challenger said they would not participate.
Millsaps College issued a statement Monday saying a debate with two of four candidates was “not a viable option.”
The debate was supposed to be Thursday at Millsaps, co-sponsored by Mississippi Public Broadcasting.
Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith said weeks ago she would not participate in campaign debates if she has to be in Washington.
Democratic challenger Mike Espy said Friday he would debate only if Hyde-Smith does. MPB said it would not air a debate with the remaining candidates, Republican Chris McDaniel and Democrat Tobey Bernard Bartee.
Hyde-Smith was appointed to serve temporarily when Sen. Thad Cochran retired in April. The winner of the November special election will serve two years.
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