Republican 2nd Congressional District candidate, former State Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, expressed his disappointment upon learning that his Republican runoff opponent, Dothan area businessman Jeff Coleman, had withdrawn from a scheduled debate between the two candidates on June 30 in Covington county.
The Moore campaign said that Coleman has also canceled three public forum appearances in recent days. The GOP sponsored forums were to feature both Moore and Coleman answering questions from the audience.
According to the Moore campaign, WDHN in Dothan reached out to both candidates in early May to schedule a debate and the Moore Campaign gave several dates of availability to the station. Coleman never confirmed any dates.
“I’m disappointed that Mr. Coleman is avoiding debating me,” Moore said in a statement. “The voters of District 2 should have the chance to see both of us go head to head before the runoff on July 14th. We’ve had several chances, we were even offered a televised debate, but Coleman has backed out of every single opportunity. I’m willing to debate him any time, any place.”
“I’m willing to defend my conservative record in the Alabama House,” Moore continued. “I’m proud that I was the first elected official in the nation to endorse Donald J. Trump for President on that stage in Mobile in 2015. I’m proudly pro-2nd Amendment, proudly pro-life, and proudly pro-free speech.”
“I’m proud of my record of military service, and that I’m a Veteran,” Moore added. “I’m certainly not afraid to tell people that I intend to continue supporting President Trump once I’m elected to Congress, just like I’ve done since endorsing him at Ladd-Peebles stadium back in 2015. I fully back his attempts to build the border wall and to keep on draining the DC swamp.”
“It’s disappointing and a bit sad that Mr. Coleman has outspent me 10 to 1 in this race but won’t face me in a debate,” Moore stated. “The people of this district deserve better. The voters deserve to see their two Republican choices side by side so they can make the best choice when they vote. I’m willing to do that, but Mr. Coleman doesn’t seem to want to give them that opportunity.”
Moore served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 2010 until 2018. Moore and his wife own and operate a waste disposal company. Moore is a small businessman, veteran, husband and father of four.
Moore and Coleman are candidates in the July 14 Republican primary runoff. The eventual Republican nominee will face Democratic nominee Phyllis Harvey-Hall in the Nov. 3 general election for the open 2nd Congressional District seat.
Updated: the Coleman campaign denies that Jeff Coleman is refusing to do debates or participate in forums; but rather that he has conflicts on the four dates being discussed.
