Marter challenges Underwood to public debate after LWV forum cancellation

Republican congressional nominee Jim Marter is pressing Rep. Lauren Underwood to agree to an in-person, public debate after the League of Women Voters canceled a planned 2026 forum in Illinois’ 14th District. Marter is framing the fight as a test of transparency and voter access ahead of the November race.

Why it matters: - Jim Marter is trying to turn a canceled candidate forum into a broader argument about transparency, voter access and campaign accountability in Illinois’ 14th Congressional District. - The dispute adds another public back-and-forth in a district both sides view as politically competitive. - Marter says voters deserve an in-person event that includes the press and allows video recording for campaign use.

What happened: - Marter, the Republican nominee for Congress in Illinois’ 14th District, released a statement after the League of Women Voters’ Naperville chapter canceled its planned 2026 congressional candidate forum. - The League had emailed the Marter campaign with an invitation, and the date and time were already set with Underwood confirmed. - Marter said he is formally inviting Underwood and the League to a public, in-person debate or forum on Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. - Marter proposed the Fire District Building on the Oswego Public Safety Campus, across from the Oswego Police Department, as the location.

The details: - Marter said Underwood has previously declined debate requests and only agreed to candidate forums, which he described as historically closed to the public and not open to press or recording. - Marter said the League knew a virtual Zoom-style forum would not work for his campaign but offered that format anyway. - The campaign said the proposed forum site had already been chosen by the League before a prior scheduled forum was canceled after the location became public. - Marter said any event should be public, in person and open to video recording for campaign use. - Marter also said the press should be invited. - Marter set three requirements for any event: in-person attendance, public and press access, and permission for video. - Marter said the district has a tradition of political debate and that informed voters make better choices. - Marter described himself as a business owner, family man, former swim and basketball coach, scout leader and elected official. - The campaign said Illinois’ 14th District has a Cook Political Report rating of D+3 and is among the state’s most flippable congressional seats. - The campaign directed supporters to Marter for Congress and provided a phone line, 815-585-8006, for messages encouraging Underwood to debate. - The release also listed Marter campaign social accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Truth Social.

Between the lines: - Marter is using the forum cancellation to press a contrast between closed or virtual formats and a live, public event with cameras and press coverage. - The debate over format suggests both campaigns see control of the setting as politically meaningful, not just logistical. - By emphasizing a secure public venue and voter access, Marter is trying to put Underwood on defense without waiting for a broader debate schedule to emerge.

What's next: - Marter says Underwood can accept the Sept. 29 proposal or name another time and place, as long as the event is public, in person and video-recorded. - Any response from Underwood or the League could determine whether the dispute turns into an actual forum or remains a campaign message fight. - The campaign is also continuing to solicit public pressure through its phone line and website.