Republican Mark Lamb declined an invitation to participate in a publicly funded debate ahead of the November elections.
So his longshot opponent had the stage to herself Aug. 26, mentioning the flurry of allegations against Lamb and leaning into a left-wing populist economic message skeptical of of corporations and data centers.
Elizabeth Lee quoted Lamb's words from 2024, when he appeared on a debate stage by himself as the underdog in Arizona's Senate primary against Kari Lake.
"If those other folks aren't here tonight, you can't expect them to show up for you in D.C.," she said.
Lee, a nurse and self-described patient advocate, is given slim odds of winning in Arizona's bright-red 5th Congressional District, despite endorsements from several
high-profile Democrats including Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes.
She is running on a platform that includes building a Medicare for All health care program in five years.
"We are all tired of skyrocketing prices that are being used to trample our constitutional rights, to fund wars we have no way out of, to line the pockets of billionaires who care more about surveillance and data centers that they do ... CHECK QUOTE.
The moderator asked Lee why she switched her party affiliation in 2018 from Republican to Democrat. Lee said she voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
The race has so far been overshadowed by controversies involving Lamb, the former Pinal County Sheriff who is endorsed by President Donald Trump.
An investigation by The Arizona Republic surfaced allegations of threats, sexting, nude photo-sharing, and racist comments made by Lamb.
The former sheriff has also purchased $3 million worth of property in Tennessee, The Republic found. He launched a ranch business in the rural town of Michie, along with a "family compound" where he says he and his wife will retire. He has continued to post social media content from Tennessee since winning the GOP primary in July.
Lee alluded to the allegations and noted fellow Republicans criticized or questioned Lamb over the reports.
"He wants you to believe that the American Dream is a three million dollar ranch, 1500 miles from here. But that's not what I'm hearing from here in the district," she said.
Ed Morabito, a spokesperson for Lamb's campaign, declined to comment on why Lamb chose not to attend the August debate.
The district is a stronghold for both the GOP and the LDS Church. It includes parts of Maricopa and Pinal counties, stretching across Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek and Apache Junction.
Arizona’s Citizens Clean Elections Commission hosted the debate. It will aired live at 4 p.m.
It will be livestreamed online at www.azcentral.com.
More information on how to watch is available on Clean Elections’ website.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Democrat Elizabeth Lee to appear solo as GOP's Mark Lamb skips debate
