Read Letter Ted Cruz Just Sent Donald Trump Formally Inviting Him to One-On-One Debate

Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz sent a letter to 2016 rival Donald Trump late Wednesday, formally challenging the billionaire businessman to a one-on-one debate this Saturday.

Cruz's campaign said a space had been reserved at the Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City for a debate to take place at 8:00 p.m.

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“We owe it to the men and women of Iowa to ensure that they hear jointly and directly from the two leading Republican candidates so that they may contrast our positions on the critical issues we face as a nation as they make their final choice leading up to Monday’s caucuses,” Cruz said in a press release.

[sharequote align="center"]“We owe it to the men and women of Iowa..."[/sharequote]

The Texas senator suggested radio hosts Mark Levin, Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh moderate the debate — or offered to face-off with him one-on-one and simply take questions from the audience.

Here's the full letter Cruz sent Trump:

Dear Donald,

We owe it to the men and women of Iowa to ensure that they hear jointly and directly from the two leading Republican candidates so that they may contrast our positions on the critical issues we face as a nation as they make their final choice leading up to Monday’s caucuses.

Accordingly, please accept this invitation to join me at an in-person, two-hour Town Hall event at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City this Saturday, January 30th at 8:00 p.m. Central. This venue is already reserved and I would propose that our campaigns evenly divide available seating/ticketing. Our teams can jointly work on the logistical details.

Additionally, I propose one of the following three individuals serve as a Town Hall facilitator: Mark Levin, Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh. If none of these proposed individuals are acceptable to you, I suggest that instead we alternate in fielding direct questions from the audience.

I look forward to your timely response.

Ted

Earlier Wednesday, Trump's campaign manager Corey Lewandowski seemingly dismissed the idea of a one-on-one debate before the Iowa caucus. Lewandowski only said Trump would be happy to debate Cruz if the race ultimately withered down to just them two.

Trump sent shockwaves rippling through the political community when he announced Tuesday he would not participate in the Fox News debate — the final debate for Monday’s Iowa caucus.

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