Teamsters Debate Canceled

WASHINGTON (AP) — A candidates debate designed to increase interest in the upcoming Teamsters election fell apart Friday after the second of three candidates pulled out.

Tom Leedham, the candidate of a grass-roots reform coalition, said he wasn't interested in attending the forum after James P. Hoffa declared he wouldn't participate.

The third declared candidate, St. Louis Teamsters leader John Metz, has yet to mount a campaign. Ballots will be mailed to the union's 1.4 million members Nov. 2.

"This election is between me and Hoffa," Mr. Leedham said, adding that he was willing to debate the son of legendary Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa. "If he finds the courage to show up, I'll be there."

Michael Cherkasky, the election's court-appointed overseer, said he had hoped the debate "would provide the candidates with a forum to reach the union's membership and start the tradition of debates as an important step toward promoting democracy in the union."

"Obviously there cannot be a debate with only one candidate, so I'm forced to cancel the event," Mr. Cherkasky said.