SALT LAKE CITY — There was an empty lectern on the TV set for Rep. Burgess Owens.
One of his opponents, United Utah Party candidate January Walker, tried to put a sack of potatoes on it but they were quickly taken away by officials with the Utah Debate Commission as the broadcast was starting.
"He is as useless as a bag of potatoes," Walker told reporters afterward. "And I felt he should be represented here today."
Democratic challenger Darlene McDonald said Owens' absence hurt the voters in Utah's Fourth Congressional District.
"He let down his constituents. They have the right to hear from their representative," she said.
Owens announced he would not attend Wednesday's debate, disagreeing with the choice of moderator, Salt Lake Tribune editor Lauren Gustus. In a video he posted to his Facebook page, the congressman criticized the Tribune for a political cartoon it published last year that he said depicts him as a racist. It was a cartoon that critiqued comments he made on immigrants after a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border.
"I will not in good conscience have anything to do with the racist Salt Lake Tribune and will therefore not participate in this debate," Owens said. "I expect bias from such a liberal outlet, but racism is where I draw the line. I will also not be bullied into participating in a forum of unabashed bigots."
Complete statement below from Rep. Burgess Owens
Owens offered to have McDonald appear with him at a pair of town halls later in the month. After Wednesday's debate, she questioned if that would happen.
Owens' lack of participation was not unexpected. The Utah Debate Commission said in a statement on Tuesday it had received no firm commitment from him or his campaign. He previously refused to participate in a debate put on by the commission for the Republican primary race.
The nonpartisan commission said it stood by its choice of moderator.
"We believe the moderator’s questions will be fair and professional, representing the Utah Debate Commission in an independent, non-partisan matter," the commission said in a statement ahead of the debate. "We welcome Rep. Owens to join us on stage this evening for a meaningful dialogue which will inform voters in Utah’s Fourth Congressional District."
Without Owens, McDonald and Walker presented contrasting viewpoints on a number of issues. On the 2020 election, both candidates said they believed the results were fair and accurate. But McDonald spoke about voter disenfranchisement.
"Too many people, especially here in Utah have been told their vote does not matter. Every vote matters," she said. "That causes people to stay home Election Day, or even return that ballot. Every vote matters."
Walker said she agreed that every vote matters, but said third parties have been dismissed.
"Individuals and the Democratic Party have said you need to deal with the systems we have today even though people have express concerns about them," she said. "There is nothing wrong with modernizing the way that we vote."
On the issue of immigration, both candidates referenced Owens' comments and the Tribune cartoon.
"Rep. Owens’ statements mimics the statements that were made by the KKK about people who look like me and people who look like him," McDonald said. "He went to the southern border to denigrate people who are looking for a better life."
Walker said Owens displayed "cowardice."
"His choosing not to show up to this debate has absolutely nothing to do with the cartoon and everything to do with not being able to speak clearly and concisely," she said, referencing brain injuries he suffered as an NFL player.
Asked about the drought, McDonald said more needed to be done.
"This is going to require representation that’s going to both sides, everybody, partisan lines to come to the table to solve this problem," she said.
Walker, who has made use of "blockchain" technology a key part of her campaign, touted technological advancements as a way to help with drought issues.
"We have technology, there’s proof of concept to track and trace where the water is going," she said.
On Ukraine, McDonald said "we should provide as much resources as we can to Ukraine," where Walker said "it does come down to a lack of communication" and suggested there should be more dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Asked about Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments, both candidates said working with tribes and communities was important.
Watch the full debate here:
