Pearce has not only accepted Udall's challenge to hold three televised debates this fall, but he has additionally proposed to have a debate before summer's end. Pearce would like to discuss energy policy and feels the citizens of NM deserve to hear the two candidates debate this issue sooner rather than later. Brian Phillips, a campaign spokesman for Steve Pearce, stated "it really is a disservice to them [the people of NM] that now Congressman Udall refuses to debate us until sometime later in the fall, right before the election."