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Kasich campaign pushing for April debate

by Jesse Byrnes - 03/25/16 3:58 PM ET

A strategist for John Kasich’s campaign on Friday said the campaign is pushing for a town hall-style debate with GOP presidential rivals Donald Trump and Ted Cruz two days before the Wisconsin primary next month.

John Weaver tweeted that the campaign was working with Fox News to set up the event April 3, adding: “Hope Cruz & Tump accept. We have.”

{mosads}A network spokesman did not immediately return an inquiry about the event.

Donald Trump backed out of a debate scheduled by the network earlier this month, citing a schedule conflict.

It was the second Fox debate Trump has withdrawn from, after another in late January. The latest debate was canceled after Kasich also said he wouldn’t appear without Trump on stage.

Cruz, in second place in the delegate count, has repeatedly called for a one-on-one debate with Trump. He and Kasich are aiming to deny the businessman the necessary number of delegates to lock up the nomination, forcing a contested convention.

Candidates have appeared in multiple town hall-style forums in addition to the dozen prime-time debates hosted by networks.

The candidates will appear in Milwaukee on Tuesday for a town hall hosted by CNN, a week before the April 5 primary in Wisconsin.

Tags 2016 GOP primary Donald Trump GOP debates Ted Cruz Wisconsin Wisconsin