GOP debate canceled after Trump, Kasich say they won't attend

March 16, 2016 at 1:38 p.m.

by The Associated Press

Republican presidential candidates, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., left, Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, right, stand together during the signing of the National Anthem, before the start of the Republican presidential debate sponsored by CNN, Salem Media Group and the Washington Times at the University of Miami, Thursday, March 10, 2016, in Coral Gables, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Republican presidential candidates, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., left, Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, right, stand together during the signing of the National Anthem, before the start of the Republican presidential debate sponsored by CNN, Salem Media Group and the Washington Times at the University of Miami, Thursday, March 10, 2016, in Coral Gables, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

The Republican presidential debate scheduled for Monday in Salt Lake City has been canceled after front-runner Donald Trump and Ohio Gov. John Kasich said they would not attend.

Karen Boe, a spokesman for the Salt Palace Convention Center, said they were informed Wednesday morning that the event was being scrapped.

Donald Trump said Wednesday morning he would not participate because "we've had enough debates." Trump said Wednesday on Fox News that he's committed to a big speech the same night.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich's spokesman then said he won't debate without Donald Trump onstage.

The debate was scheduled a day before Utah's caucus and Arizona's primary.

It would have been the first presidential debate held in Utah.

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