EDINA (Minn.)  –  Given the fact that Congressman Erik Paulsen appears hesitant to debate challenger Brian Barnes on the issues that really matter to the voters of the Third Congressional District, a new challenge will be offered tomorrow.

In a 3 p.m. Press Conference at the DFL Booth at the Minnesota State Fair, Barnes intends to challenge Paulsen to a cow milking, butter carving or corn dog eating contest.  The Congressman will even be able to choose the contest.

“I grew up in 4H, and love the Minnesota State Fair. In addition to agriculture, fine arts, food and music, the Fair has a grand tradition of political debate. If Congressman Paulsen’s views are too private to share with Minnesotans, we’ll make it simple for him. I challenge him to a contest of cow milking, butter carving or corndog eating – he can take his pick.”

Earlier Barnes challenged Paulsen to a series of debates that were set to start this week at the State Fair. The debates were to be on a wide range of topics, and to be moderated by impartial moderators.  To date, Paulsen has refused to accept the challenge to debate in any of the locations leading up to the November election.

“The voters of this district deserve more than a Congressman who will get himself elected and then just expect the people to keep voting him back into office,” Barnes said.  ”The voters deserve to know what their congressman is doing to earn their support, and by ducking these debates, he is ducking that responsibility.”

Barnes will formally issue the challange at the DFL Booth at the Minnesota State Fair (On the corner of Dan Patch and Cooper) at 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 30.

“Congressman Paulsen and I have serious differences in how we approach the critical issues facing our district. The voters in our district deserve an open, honest, and public debate,” Barnes said.  ”But if he is too afraid to publicly talk about the real issues of the day, I guess this state fair competition will at least give the voters a chance to see their Congressman in person.”