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Michigan Attorney General Candidates Debate Over Having Debates

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Scott Pohl/Dana Nessel for Michigan Attorney General

The two major party candidates for Michigan Attorney General debated over why they have not had any debates. Steve Carmody reports.

There have been debates proposed between Democrat Dana Nessel and Republican Tom Leonard.  But they have fallen through because of who else was invited to share the stage. 

Nessel said she objects to Leonard’s campaign’s insistence on including independent candidate Chris Graveline. 

She said there’s a reason only she and Leonard should debate.

“None of the third party candidates are polling high enough, in any poll I’ve seen, that they really have any measure of viability.”

A Leonard campaign spokesman accused Nessel of “playing games” ahead of next month’s election.

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Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Radio since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting. During his two and a half decades in broadcasting, Steve has won numerous awards, including accolades from the Associated Press and Radio and Television News Directors Association. Away from the broadcast booth, Steve is an avid reader and movie fanatic. Q&A