Cassidy Won’t Decide Debates Until Qualifying Ends

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy, the chief Republican contender in Louisiana's U.S. Senate race, hasn't yet agreed to any debates against Democratic incumbent Sen. Mary Landrieu.

Landrieu, seeking a fourth term in office, announced this week that she's accepted invitations to four TV debates leading up to the Nov. 4 election: two debates in New Orleans, one in Baton Rouge and another in Monroe.

GOP candidate and tea party favorite Rob Maness also has agreed to participate in those forums.

But Cassidy campaign manager Joel DiGrado says the congressman's campaign won't evaluate debate requests until the end of the candidate sign-up period, which runs from Aug. 20-22.

DiGrado said in a statement Thursday that until the qualifying period is over, the Senate race doesn't have a formal field of candidates.