Photo by Robin MayU.S. Senate candidate Troy Hebert has asked a judge to block an Oct. 18 statewide TV debate, saying the criteria used to exclude him are unfair.
The former alcohol and tobacco control commissioner filed the injunction request Monday against Louisiana Public Broadcasting and the Council for A Better Louisiana.
Hebert, an independent, is not fundraising for the Nov. 8 election. He objects to criteria set by LPB and CABL for their Louisiana Tech University debate because it required participants to have raised at least $1 million.
Only five candidates out of 24 met that benchmark and the 5 percent polling requirement.
CABL President Barry Erwin said the criteria show public support for candidates and their viability.
Hebert calls the financial criteria discriminatory. He also said it's unfair for the state-financed LPB to use public dollars to "promote one candidate over another."
A hearing is set for Oct. 12.