Sen. Orrin Hatch’s challenger in the Utah Republican primary has launched his first TV ad. Former state Sen. Dan Liljenquist forgoes the traditional biographical spot, and instead castigates Hatch for not agreeing to any televised debates.
“Debates play a critical role in Utah elections,” Liljenquist says. “Sen. Hatch used to believe this as well. In 1976, he challenged his primary opponent to eight debates. I’ve issued the same challenge to Sen. Hatch. But now he refuses to debate more than once, and he refuses to debate on television entirely.
“Call Sen. Hatch today. Tell him that the people of Utah deserve real debates, on real issues. I’m Dan Liljenquist, and I approve this message.”
The ad will run on broadcast television and statewide on Fox News, according to a campaign press release, with an ad buy of approximately $125,000. The primary will be held on June 26.
