Josh Hawley ambushes Dem rival Lucas Kunce at Missouri State Fair for immediate debate showdown

MISSOURI: Sen Josh Hawley (R-Mo) took matters into his own hands at the Missouri State Fair, chasing down Democratic challenger Lucas Kunce in an attempt to force an impromptu debate after weeks of stalemates.

Kunce's camp may have agreed to five televised debates. Still, when it comes to non-televised debates, particularly one hosted by the Missouri Farm Bureau — an organization that proudly endorsed Hawley and funneled $5,000 into his campaign — Kunce wasn’t having it.

His campaign manager cited FEC law prohibiting debates hosted by entities that approve and donate to candidates. Yet, Hawley wasn't buying it.

Josh Hawley and Lucas Kunce squabble face-to-face at Missouri State Fair

With cameras rolling, Josh Hawley prowled through the fairgrounds like a man on a mission. "He hasn’t been out of his basement in two weeks, let’s go find him," Hawley quipped, asking onlookers, “Where is he? Where is he? Where is he?”

When the two finally crossed paths, the tension skyrocketed. Kunce asks, “How you doing, man?” to which Hawley demands, "We gonna debate today?"

When Kunce claimed he had no idea what Hawley was referring to, the senator shot back, "You don't know? I read your bullshit letter to the Farm Bureau. Are you going to sue the Farm Bureau?”

Lucas Kunce deflects but Josh Hawley presses on

As Lucas Kunce shot back with an almost dismissive air, "Dude, you’re really obsessed with this stuff," Hawley fired back, "Come on! Are you going to debate me today?"

"You already got the Farm Bureau and the state fair in trouble, man," Kunce responds. But Hawley wasn’t there to back down. Taunting his rival for hiding behind media appearances, he threw out one final challenge: "Let’s go!"

And then, amid their heated exchange, Kunce unleashed a biting response that echoed among Democrats: "Josh, why are you so weird? Man, why are you so creepy?"

Nevertheless, Kunce responded with a post of his own, highlighting Hawley's lack of commitment to the debates he had already agreed to.

Social media reacts to Hawley-Kunce showdown at Missouri State Fair

The fiery encounter between Sen Josh Hawley and Lucas Kunce at the Missouri State Fair ignited a wave of social media reactions, with some slamming Hawley for his tactics and others fiercely defending his approach.

"Josh, we’re in the same party and you’re a great Senator and warrior but this is low for you," tweeted a user.

"Run away, Hateful Hawley," added another.

"You are such a stunt queen. This is pathetic," said a third.

"Josh Holley is lying, Lucas has been looking to debate Holly or sometime. Holly avoided Lucas for quite some time, now they will debate? Look at this video that Willie Nelson gave to audiences, he tells us what he said about vice president Kamala Harris, and Donald Trump. Are you brave?" read a tweet.

"When a canidate will not debate - Dump them from your voting list! Dump Kunce VOTE FOR HAWLEY!!!" penned a user.

"No one is even responding to you....except Lucas who graciously shook your hand," commented a user.

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