Sonya Dunn asks Brooke Lierman for two Maryland Comptroller debates

Sonya Dunn’s campaign is pressing incumbent Comptroller Brooke Lierman for two general-election debates in Maryland, one with statewide TV coverage and a second at a state HBCU. The push is aimed at giving voters a direct comparison on state finances, taxpayer services and oversight before November.

Why it matters: - The Maryland Comptroller oversees state finances, taxpayer services and procurement oversight, making the race central to how Maryland manages money and public services. - Two debates would give voters a direct side-by-side look at the candidates before the general election. - Dunn’s campaign is framing the request as a call for open, statewide discussion on the future of the Comptroller’s Office.

What happened: - Sonya Dunn’s campaign formally requested two debates with incumbent Comptroller Brooke Lierman ahead of the general election. - The request came after a month of unanswered email attempts from Brooke Lierman’s campaign, Dunn’s team said. - Dunn said Marylanders deserve to hear directly from both candidates on how they would manage the state’s finances and protect taxpayers. - Dunn said she hopes Lierman will join her so voters can make an informed decision in November.

The details: - The first proposed debate would be hosted by Maryland Public Television, with local broadcast television stations across the state as partners. - The campaign said the MPT format would help maximize reach to Maryland households. - The second proposed debate would be held at one of Maryland’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. - Bowie State University is the campaign’s recommended site for that debate. - The campaign proposed that Joy-Ann Reid and Roland Martin moderate the HBCU debate. - Dunn said an HBCU debate would be about meeting voters where they are and honoring institutions that have shaped generations of Maryland leaders. - Dunn described Reid and Martin as respected voices in political journalism. - The campaign said it is looking for a prompt response on dates, formats and logistics for both debates. - Contact information included in the release listed Eugene Criag III, Sonya Dunn for Maryland, at +1 410-412-4528. - The release included social media links for the campaign on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, X and Reddit.

Between the lines: - Dunn’s two-debate proposal is designed to broaden the audience beyond a single TV forum and to connect the race to both mainstream and historically Black institutions. - The HBCU proposal signals an effort to elevate turnout and attention among voters who may not engage with a traditional broadcast debate. - The lack of response from Lierman’s campaign, if it continues, could become part of the political contrast Dunn is seeking to highlight.

What's next: - The Dunn campaign is waiting for Lierman’s campaign to respond on whether it will agree to either debate. - Any next steps depend on agreement on dates, formats and logistics for both proposed events.