Updated: Whitfield declines invite to KY-1 forum; Ryan says she will attend

A spokesperson from Kentucky Educational Television confirmed that U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Hopkinsville) declined the invitation to the network's 1st Congressional District forum scheduled for Oct. 13.

Whitfield's opponent, Heather Ryan (D-Paducah), released a statement today declaring she would still attend the forum.

"The reason for why Mr. Whitfield will not attend is unclear, but what is certain is that he owes the people of Kentucky's First Congressional District answers to their questions about the current economic mess but has thus ignored," read a statement from the Ryan campaign.

KET's forums air statewide and are available to be streamed on the network's website.

Whitfield is not the first incumbent to skip the KET forum designated for his race this year. U.S. Reps. Geoff Davis (R-Ft. Mitchell), Ben Chandler (D-Versailles), and Hal Rogers (R-Somerset) all skipped their allocated forums while U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) announced an unspecified "scheduling conflict" would keep him away from the U.S. Senate forum.

This week, KET was scheduled to host the candidates in the 4th District - Davis and physician Michael Kelley (D-Lagrange). With Davis not attending the event, Kelley appeared alone during the 30 minute forum.

All candidates in the 3rd District  are scheduled to attend their race's forum, while the two in the 2nd District both already appeared at their KET debate.

Whitfield's office did not immediately return a request for comment.

Updated, 4:31pm: A spokesperson from Whitfield's campaign said the KET invitation was declined because of prior commitments for the incumbent.

"Congressman Whitfield will be unable to attend Monday's debate due to prior commitments he had made to attend Columbus Day events in the First Congressional District," said Kristin Walker, of the Whitfield campaign. "The Congressman has offered to tape a statement to be aired during the debate and is waiting to hear back from debate organizers regarding this."

Walker said Whitfield would travel the district in the days leading up to the general election to get his message out.

"The Congressman certainly feels it is important for him to inform Kentucky residents about the work he has done in Washington for the First Congressional District and where he stands on critical issues," said Walker. "He plans on doing this by traveling throughout the District over the next month and meeting with constituents to discuss his plans for getting our economy back on track, lowering energy costs and providing quality healthcare to all Americans."