ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Congressional candidate Greg Cunningham has confirmed his participation in three televised debates and is calling on Congressman Gabe Vasquez to do the same.
Cunningham has accepted the KRQE (Channel 13) debate scheduled for October 16, along with invitations from KOB 4 and from KOAT 7, which co-hosts its debate with the Albuquerque Journal and KKOB radio. Between them, the three forums reach television, radio, and print audiences across the district.
To the campaign’s knowledge, Vasquez has not confirmed participation in a debate with KOAT 7 or KOB 4.
“Voters in this district deserve to hear from Gabe and myself, on the same stage, on the same night,” Cunningham said. “Instead, Gabe is once again running from his record.
I’ve said yes to all three of these debates. The Congressman hasn’t. That tells voters something.” This is not the first cycle Vasquez has avoided a debate stage. In 2024, he declined to participate in a televised KOB 4 debate against then-candidate Yvette Herrell.
“He dodged the voters in 2024, and he’s running the same play in 2026,” Cunningham said. “Kicking the can down the road until the calendar runs out isn’t a scheduling problem. It’s a strategy that demonstrates weakness.”
Cunningham urged the Vasquez campaign to publicly confirm all three debates this week so stations and voters can plan accordingly.
“Show up,” Cunningham said. “New Mexico is watching.”
