TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Thursday, Democratic Congressional Candidate Callie Barr challenged Rep. Jack Bergman to three debates before Election Day.
These include one in the Upper Peninsula, a second in Northern Michigan, and a third near his home in Louisiana. The challenge comes as Bergman faces questions over excessive taxpayer-funded expenses and unauthorized outside political consulting work by senior members of his congressional staff.
In a press release sent to WZMQ 19 by Barr’s team, she quotes “Jack Bergman has been in Washington for ten years. If he can find time to collect record amounts of taxpayer-funded reimbursements for meals and lodging, he can find time to stand in front of the people he is supposed to represent and answer questions. I’m offering Jack three opportunities to defend his record, across three locations. We can debate in the Upper Peninsula. We can debate in Northern Michigan. And if it’s more convenient for Jack to meet closer to his Louisiana home, I’ll debate him there. You’ve had 10 years in Washington, Jack. You can find time to answer a few questions, pick a stage.”
Bergman’s team released a response to the challenge.
“Callie Barr can issue all the publicity stunts she wants, but voters have seen this circus before,” wrote James Hogge, a staff member of Bergman’s campaign team. “Two years ago, Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula overwhelmingly rejected her radical left campaign.”
“Now, the downstate attorney is back with the same personal attacks and political theatrics,” he continued. “Recycling lies about the General’s residency that his political opponents have peddled for nearly a decade. The Bergman family’s roots in the U.P. stretch back to the late 1800s. While his 40 years of service to our Nation took him across the country and around the world, General Bergman built his home in Watersmeet over three decades ago. While Callie’s Carnival Campaign™ parades around with some of the most radical socialist Members of Congress and chases headlines, Rep. Jack Bergman is doing the job voters sent him to Washington to do – fighting for our Veterans, strengthening rural healthcare, protecting the Great Lakes, supporting our servicemembers, and delivering results for communities across Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.”
“Callie Barr is free to spend the next seven weeks auditioning for attention,” said Hogge. “Rep. Bergman will spend them talking directly to voters about his record, his priorities, and his vision for Northern Michigan and the U.P.”
Both candidates are set for the ballot on November 3. WZMQ 19 will stay up to date with these potential debates as more information unfolds.
