Hispanic Officials Call on Kim to Accept Debates on Spanish-Language Networks

Arango and Romero Call on Kim to Accept Telemundo and Univision Debate Invitations

“Spanish-speaking voters deserve an opportunity to hear the US Senate candidates debate”

New Jersey Hispanic officials today called on Rep. Andy Kim to debate his opponent, Curtis Bashaw, in the race for United States Senate on platforms that include Spanish-speaking networks.  

To date, Univision 41, Telemundo 47, and Telemundo 67 have offered to partner with major NY and Philadelphia networks, including WNBC and WABC, in televising US Senate debates, but Kim has not accepted the invitations. Republican US Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw has accepted all debate invitations.

“Two major Spanish language channels have issued US Senate debate invitations, and Andy Kim has ignored them both,” said Hudson County Republican Chairman Jose Arango, a former Assemblyman and frequent Telemundo contributor. “I’m not sure why Congressman Kim is so reluctant to present his views or share his record with Spanish-speaking voters, but he must immediately reconsider and give all voters the opportunity to watch a US Senate debate.”

“New Jersey is an incredibly diverse state, with among the highest percentage of Spanish-speaking citizens in the country.  All voters deserve an opportunity to hear the candidates debate on the important issues facing our state and our country,” said Cumberland County Commissioner Antonio Romero, a proud Cuban-American. “Andy Kim should accept both debates with these Spanish-language networks to ensure this critical population is not ignored in this US Senate race.”

The debate opportunities include: an invitation from NBC New York, Telemundo 47, NBC 10 Philadelphia, and Telemundo 67, which Kim has declined; an invitation from WABC, WPVI, Univision 41, and the Eagleton Institute for Politics at Rutgers University, which Kim has not yet accepted.