Chicago, October 27, 2009-David Hoffman, Democratic Candidate for United States Senate, has sent letters this morning to Alexi Giannoulias and Cheryle Robinson Jackson, challenging them to a series of five debates.  Hoffman has proposed a schedule that would include two debates in November, one in December and two in January.

In an effort to encourage his opponents to meet the standard of transparency and openness  set by Barack Obama, Hoffman is also calling on them to  release their tax returns for the past five years—as Hoffman did on October 15—and to refuse to accept any PAC donations, not just donations from corporate PAC’s.  Hoffman is the only candidate in the race to meet this standard set by Obama in his presidential campaign.

“Illinois and the country face critical challenges, from a troubled economy to inadequate health care to failing schools to banks that aren’t lending,” Hoffman said.  “Mark Kirk and Republicans have joined with powerful special interests in Washington to block President Obama’s efforts to bring change to our nation.  Debates will help voters make a judgment about who has the toughness and tenacity to take on the special interests and make Washington work for them.”

Given the distrust that the people of Illinois have for their elected officials and in light of the scandals and corruption that have plagued our state, we need a candidate who at least meets the standard President Obama set,” said Hoffman.

Hoffman said the debates will also provide the opportunity for the candidates to address many questions that have been raised in the media and remain unanswered, including Alexi Giannoulias’ role as Chief Loan Officer at Broadway Bank as well as his mishandling of the state’s Bright Start college savings fund.  Additionally, Cheryle Robinson Jackson has yet to answer to voters regarding her role in helping her husband receive a state job while she was an insider in the Blagojevich administration, as reported in the Chicago Sun-Times.

“Debates often force a level of candor and openness that is helpful to the voters.  Truth and clarity is what they seek before they cast their vote,” said Hoffman.  “You can’t ask the people of Illinois for their vote, can’t tell them that you represent change and reform, and continue to avoid answering questions about your actions.”