Support your local businesses

DELHI, Iowa — Jody Puffett, an independent candidate for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District, has voiced frustration over her exclusion from a recent PBS debate featuring her opponents, Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Sarah Corkery. Puffett had requested participation in the debate, but PBS did not extend an invitation, citing her failure to meet specific eligibility criteria. In a statement, Puffett expressed disappointment with PBS's decision, calling it a "disservice" to voters who were not given the chance to hear all perspectives. "As I watched the debate, I had one significant general observation – it demonstrated the severe partisan divide that exists in our country… A divide that hinders our progress and keeps us from finding common ground," Puffett said. PBS's eligibility requirements, which include affiliation with a political party, a specified level of financial contributions, and independent polling data, were challenging for Puffett as an Independent. She noted that, having only launched her campaign on June 6, she was limited by timing and had only received modest contributions by the end of the second quarter, with no district-wide polls available for the 2nd District. PBS declined her request for exceptions. "I asked if I could meet this criteria by having $50,000 in my campaign bank account," Puffett explained. "PBS rejected this, stating that the only acceptable way to meet this criteria was an Federal Election Commission (FEC) filing. These filings are quarterly and would have to be based on the quarter ended June 30. I announced my candidacy on June 6, and therefore only had a few weeks of campaigning at that point and only $151 dollars of contributions for the quarter." During the debate, Corkery acknowledged Puffett's absence, a move that Puffett appreciated. For more information on Puffett's positions, readers can view the candidate's website at www.puffettforcongress.com See below for PBS's requirements: Don't miss out on important updates! Subscribe to the newsletter for free and stay informed about local topics that matter most to you.

Support your local businesses

Independent Candidate Jody Puffett Responds to Exclusion from PBS Debate