Senator says challenger will have to wait

Monday, July 27, 1998 | 11:37 a.m.

Reid's campaign director, Larry Werner, said Reid won't debate until after the primary election, when Ensign faces GOP challenger Ralph Stephens.

It's not that Reid is afraid to debate, Werner said. He just doesn't want to give Ensign any additional exposure before the Sept. 1 primary.

It's always the tactic of the underdog to try to debate, Werner said.

Ensign and Reid have two debates scheduled after the primary. One is set for Sept. 27 before Sun City Summerlin residents and a second Oct. 15 in Reno before a seniors group.

Ensign has challenged Reid to debate him in each of Nevada's 17 counties. Reid has said he is too busy in the Senate to carry out such an extensive debate schedule.

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