By Mike Kaszuba

Republican Tom Emmer said he is skipping Thursday's gubernatorial debate in Winona -- the fourth among the three candidates in the past week -- because a spokesman said Emmer "must focus on other activities."

But the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, the sponsor of Thursday's debate, lamented Emmer's decision and said it hoped "Emmer reevaluates the message that his absence at this critical forum sends to greater Minnesota communities." Emmer's gubernatorial challengers, DFLer Mark Dayton and Independence Party candidate Tom Horner, have agreed to the debate, the group said.

Since last week's state election primary, there have already been three gubernatorial debates, including one Tuesday in Nisswa, Mn.

"There is no better opportunity to explain why you will be a champion for rural Minnesota than by debating the other candidates for governor in front of the mayors, city council members and city staff that make up the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities," said Timothy Strand, the mayor of St. Peter and the group's president.

Cullen Sheehan, Emmer's campaign manager, disagreed. "Unfortunately, debates are just one of the many demands made on our campaign," he said. "Having done three debates in the past week, Tom Emmer must focus on other activities as well."

A spokesman for Emmer's campaign added that the candidate "will try to participate in as many [debates] as possible."