Democratic congressional candidate Steven Horsford believes his opponent’s proposal for three debates in their House race is a “great start,” but he wants Republican Cresent Hardy to make even more public appearances with him than that.

Horsford’s response letter Monday came after Hardy threw down the gauntlet the day after both men handily won their respective primary elections for Nevada’s 4th Congressional District. Hardy’s proposal letter suggested one debate hosted by The Nevada Independent, one hosted by The Ely Times newspaper and a third, televised debate on the Spanish-language network Telemundo.

The Hardy campaign’s letter also included a bit of snark on Horsford’s decision to stay on the East Coast after losing to Hardy in 2014, among other things. Horsford Campaign Manager Matt McKnight shot back in his response.

“Steven Horsford looks forward to debating Cresent Hardy,” McKnight wrote. “Nevadans deserve to hear about the ideas we have to improve their lives, not misleading personal attacks.”

McKnight said he looked forward to hammering out the details of the debates with Hemminger. The district, which includes North Las Vegas and vast tracts of rural central Nevada, leans Democratic but has changed hands over the past few years.

Its representative, freshman Rep. Ruben Kihuen, is not running for re-election after facing allegations of sexual harassment. He has denied the accusations but is the subject of a House ethics investigation.

HARDY'S CHALLENGE

CD4 Debate Challenge - Hardy by Michelle Rindels on Scribd

CD4 Debate Challenge - Horsford Response by Michelle Rindels on Scribd