More Midterm Candidates Are Skipping Debates. Here's What That Means for Voters
Televised debates, long a fixture of American campaigns, are becoming increasingly rare in the 2026 midterms, as more candidates decide the risks outweigh the rewards.
Of the 36 governor's races on the ballot this year, 21 have no debates scheduled, including toss-up contests in Georgia, Nevada and Ohio. On the Senate side, 21 of 35 races have no scheduled debates, including competitive seats in Ohio and Texas.
A fast-growing trend
The shift has been rapid. The number of governor's races without debates rose from two in 2018 to eight in 2022 and 21 this year. In Senate races, the count has grown from nine in 2024 to 21 in 2026.
The reasons candidates give
- In Ohio, Democrat Amy Acton declined to debate Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, saying she would not give a platform to what she called baseless lies.
- In Alabama, Republican Tommy Tuberville turned down a debate with Democrat Doug Jones, saying their differences were so large there was no reason to argue on stage.
- In Arizona, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs again declined to debate, with her campaign arguing direct contact with voters is more effective.
- In Texas, Republican Ken Paxton said he would debate Democrat James Talarico but has not responded to offers to host one.
What voters lose
Craig Hennigan, who directs debate at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, says debates give voters a rare chance to see how candidates react under pressure and to judge their character side by side. Front-runners, he notes, often have little to gain and plenty to lose from a stumble, which helps explain why so many are opting out.
Sources: ABC News
