Rokita calls out Indiana Debate Commission, moderator ahead of final debate

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — one Republican candidate isn’t too happy about participating in the fourth Indiana U.S. Senate debate on Monday.

Todd Rokita was the last candidate to agree to the debate, confirming his participation mid-April.

Before he attends, he’s calling out the Indiana Debate Commission (IDC) and the event’s moderator for being biased ahead of his final showdown with Luke Messer and Mike Braun.

"This is the first time this has come up and it's a bit of a canard. We're very happy with our track record," said Gerry Lanosga, president of the IDC. "We believe in the idea of a full and fair debate and there is no partisanship invovled in that."

Rokita’s campaign did not respond to ABC 57 News’ request for comment, but his spokesperson Nathan Brand sent an email to supporters saying in part:

“Todd continues to believe the liberal debate commission should not be hosting Republican primary debates, nor should the debate be moderated by someone closely aligned with one of the other campaigns.”

That someone is Shabazz.

He’s been a longtime conservative voice in covering Indiana politics and is the publisher for indypolitics.org.

He has also served as a debate moderator for years.

“I think it’s more of a distraction for the entire process because I believe the attention should be on the question Hoosiers are going to have on Monday night about what type of person they want to represent them, particularly Hoosier Republicans in a Republican primary,” said Shabazz.

ABC 57 News will broadcast the event in full on WMYS.

The debate starts at 7 p.m. on Monday April 30.