SEDALIA – A fiery confrontation between U.S. Senate rivals, Republican incumbent Josh Hawley and Democratic candidate Lucas Kunce, unfolded at the Missouri State Fairgrounds on Thursday. The encounter, which lasted approximately 20 minutes, provided a glimpse into what could be the closest thing to a live debate in the 2024 campaign.
The clash began when Hawley, seeking his second term, sought out Kunce at the Governor’s Ham Breakfast. Amidst a mass of reporters, the two candidates engaged in a heated exchange, exchanging personal digs and disputing the accuracy of campaign ads. The emcee eventually intervened, requesting that they and the reporters clear the main aisle.
The dispute over debates has been ongoing since Kunce secured the Democratic nomination two weeks ago. Hawley initially proposed a “Lincoln-Douglas style” debate at the fairgrounds, but the State Fair Commission rejected the idea, stating that political events were not allowed. The Missouri Farm Bureau, which has endorsed Hawley, offered to host the debate at a location near the fairgrounds, but Kunce’s campaign argued that it would violate campaign finance laws.
During the confrontation, Hawley accused Kunce of attempting to intimidate the Farm Bureau, to which Kunce denied making any threats. The debate location and format remain unresolved, with both candidates expressing their willingness to participate in televised debates, including one on Fox News.
The exchange between Hawley and Kunce also touched on union rights and worker protection. Hawley, who previously supported anti-union right-to-work efforts, has since changed his stance. He emphasized that Missouri voted against being a right-to-work state and advocated for raising the national minimum wage. Kunce, who has received significant union support, accused Hawley of election-year conversion and criticized his previous stance on labor issues.
Hawley, in a fundraising appeal sent shortly after the confrontation, highlighted Kunce’s substantial campaign funding advantage and urged his supporters to contribute. Kunce, the best-funded Democrat in a statewide race, has been airing television ads.