Missouri State Fair officials say no to Hawley Kunce debate; Missouri Farm Bureau has new plans

SEDALIA, Mo. (KY3) - Officials with the Missouri State Fair say there will not be a political debate between Josh Hawley and Lucas Kunce during the fair.

The announcement comes after Republican Missouri Senator Josh Hawley called senate Democrat nominee Lucas Kunce to debate him at the fair.

Since then, the week has been filled with debate bickering from both Hawley and Kunce. On Friday, Kunce also posted that St. Louis NBC affiliate station KSDK invited Kunce and Hawley to debate at the fairgrounds on August 15.

But again, the Missouri State Fair shared this statement below with KY3 Friday afternoon.

There have been recent inquiries about potential political debates at the State Fair. The Missouri State Fair Commission believes the State Fair should continue highlighting Missouri’s Agricultural industry and the work of our youth exhibitors.

The Commission has been working hard for the past year to set the agenda for 2024.

Therefore, we are unable to accommodate any request for political debates on the fairgrounds during the duration of the Missouri State Fair.

According to Garrett Hawkins, the president of the Missouri Farm Bureau, a debate location has been secured NEXT to the fairgrounds for Hawley and Kunce. The Missouri Farm Bureau has publicly endorsed Hawley.

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