OMAHA- Jim Pillen and Charles W. Herbster, frontrunners in the Republican primary race for Nebraska governor, are facing criticism for failing to commit to an upcoming debate hosted by two local news outlets.

Editors at KMTV and The World-Herald have been planning a debate among the top four Republican candidates, aiming to broadcast the debate live before early voting starts for the May 10 primary. KMTV took the lead on coordinating and communicating with the campaigns.

Geoff Roth, news director at KMTV, reached out to the campaigns for Pillen, Herbster, State Sen. Brett Lindstrom and former Sen. Theresa Thibodeau on Dec. 28 to schedule the event for March 21.

Roth said he received the Lindstrom campaign’s acceptance within a week and Thibodeau’s a few days later. But he never heard back from Herbster or Pillen after that email or a follow-up.

Last week, Roth said he called both campaigns. Pillen’s never followed up, he said, and Herbster’s said the date wouldn’t work. When Roth asked for alternative dates that would work, the staffer cited a busy schedule and also never followed up, he said.

At that point, Roth said organizers made the assumption that neither wanted to participate. So, he emailed the Lindstrom and Thibodeau campaigns Monday to tell them the event was on hold.

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