Yet Another Debate Dodge: Koster Once Again Fails to Debate Rick Larsen

Republican Candidate Skips Fifth Public Forum with Larsen Last Night

Everett, WA- Just days after John Koster announced he was backing out of the only live, televised debate with Rick Larsen, Koster once again avoided a public forum with Larsen on Wednesday night. Larsen appeared at The American Association of University Women Stanwood Camano branch’s Candidate Forum in Stanwood, but his opponent was nowhere to be found.

This is now the fifth public forum that John Koster has skipped to avoid debating Larsen face-to-face.

“John Koster can run, but he cannot hide his extreme views from the people of Northwest Washington,” said Brooke Davis, Larsen’s Campaign Manager. “This latest no-show is yet another example of Koster’s failure to come clean with the voters about his plans to privatize social security and protect corporations that want to ship American jobs overseas.”

“Rick Larsen has proven he is willing to go anywhere and debate anyone on the issues that matter most to working families in Northwest Washington. Not only are Koster’s extreme views out of touch with the people, he cannot even be bothered to show up and defend them.”

According to the organizers, the AAUW forum has been presented every major election year since 1998, with 99 percent attendance by candidates.

This latest dodge is consistent with a pattern Koster has displayed throughout the campaign.

In addition to skipping last night’s forum, Koster has previously dodged four other chances to discuss the issues in a public forum with Larsen including: The Skagit County League of Women Voters Burlington Forum on October 5th, the Arlington/Smokey Point Chamber of Commerce Forum on October 12th, the Skagit County League of Women Voters Anacortes Forum on October 19th and finally, the only live televised debate between the two candidate which was scheduled to take place tonight at the KCTS studios.