INDIANAPOLIS -- Sen. Ted Cruz accepted an invitation from WRTV on Monday to debate Republican front-runner Donald Trump.
The decision comes a day after Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich announced they would be coordinating efforts in Indiana, Oregon and New Mexico to try to prevent Trump from becoming the Republican presidential nominee.
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Cruz's campaign released the following statement about the debate invitation:
"Today marks forty-six days since the last Republican debate. Forty-six days. A month and a half. The Democrats have debated. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have showed the respect the voters are due by subjecting themselves to the scrutiny of the voters. Indeed, the Democrats are talking about scheduling a second debate, and yet Donald Trump continues to cower in Trump Tower, afraid to defend his positions. The reason he's been afraid to do so is he has no answer when he's asked how to bring jobs back to America. He has no answer when he's asked how to keep America safe from radical Islamic terrorism. This is a serious time. The American people want and deserve a serious leader focused on jobs, freedom, and security. That's exactly what I will be and what I will do as President.”
Cruz also accepted an invitation from WRTV's news-gathering partner WIBC for a radio debate against Trump.
The Trump campaign had not issued an official response regarding the debate invitation.
Trump was expected to return to Indiana on Wednesday for a rally at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Former IU men's basketball coach Bobby Knight was scheduled to join him.
Find more about that appearance here.
Cruz also announced a rally Tuesday night at the Hoosier Gym in Knightstown.
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