WICHITA, Kansas, October 13, 2008 – Sedgwick County Commission candidate Karl Peterjohn says he’s dropping out Tuesday’s debate because the sponsor has already criticized his position and endorsed his opponent.

Republican candidate Karl Peterjohn is running for district three, but now he’s speaking out after the Wichita Area Business PAC, which is a mostly Republican committee, gave its endorsement to the Democratic challenger, Goddard Mayor Marcey Gregory.

PAC members said they feel Peterjohn is not business friendly and may jeopardize economic development because of his strong stance against government funding.

But Monday, Peterjohn responded to criticism, speaking out from the Wichita Independent Business Association’s office – a group that has endorsed Peterjohn. He now says he’s pulling out of a scheduled debate Tuesday because it’s being sponsored by the group that endorsed his opponent.

"The Wichita chamber's attack on my candidacy has established a partisanship that disqualifies them from sponsoring any candidate forum in the 3rd district county commission race,” Peterjohn said. “I look forward to debating and speaking out on county issues at non-partisan meetings elsewhere."

“I'm very disappointed because I believe the voters need every opportunity they can get to hear the candidates and their responses to the different issues,” said Democratic commission candidate Marcey Gregory.

The debate, sponsored by the Chamber, will include candidates running for the other open county commissioner seat as well. It starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday night at Newman University.