Graham not participating in debate with opponents

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP/WCIV) - U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham is not participating in a debate with his challengers on South Carolina Educational Television. ETV's Tom Posey said Thursday that Democratic state Sen. Brad Hutto of Orangeburg and independent candidate Thomas Ravenel of Charleston will instead participate in a 30-minute debate. Graham's spokesman Tate Zeigler says the campaign is in discussion with other groups and looking at Graham's schedule for another debate possibility. Graham is seeking a third, six-year term, after handily defeating six tea party challengers in the GOP primary. Hutto has been in the state Senate since 1996. He represents parts of five other rural counties. Ravenel is real estate developer and reality TV star. He was elected state treasurer in 2006 but resigned and pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge.Upon hearing that Graham declined, Ravenel released the following statement."I am pleased to be invited to the SCETV debate for candidates running for U.S. Senate. I am disappointed that the incumbent, Sen. Lindsey Graham, has refused to participate in this debate. Sen. Graham has time to appear on various television talk shows every Sunday morning and trot around the globe with Sen. John McCain, but he can't be bothered to debate his opponents in his home state? I find that highly arrogant and disrespectful to the citizens of South Carolina, who deserve better." Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. ABC News 4 contributed to this report.