Hillary Clinton’s only announced rival for the Democratic nomination for president is Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who boasts that he’s never run a negative television ad in his life.
But it looks like the former secretary of state will still have to participate in six debates sanctioned by the Democratic National Committee.
DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced Tuesday that the committee will be organizing six debates for Democratic candidates, starting in the fall of 2015.
“We’ve always believed that we would have a competitive primary process, and that debates would be an important part of that process,” Wasserman Schultz said.
The committee said that the debates will be sponsored by a combination of state parties, media and civic organizations. At least one debate will be held in the early primary and caucus states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, the DNC said.
It’s likely Clinton will get other Democratic challengers, including possibly former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley.
Clinton tweeted Tuesday about the debates, saying she is “Looking forward to a real conversation.”
While GOP debates the same failed policies, Democrats will debate how to help families get ahead. Looking forward to a real conversation. –H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 5, 2015
Lis Smith, a spokeswoman for O’Malley, also responded to the news by saying: “If Governor O’Malley decides to run, we will expect a full, robust, and inclusive set of debates—both nationally and in early primary and caucus states. This has been customary in previous primary seasons. In a year as critical as 2016, exclusivity does no one any favors.”