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A federal lawmaker seeking re-election and his challenger differ on whether one is "backing out" of a debate for voters to learn more about their political views in time for the Nov. 3 general election.
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, and Rachel Wallace, a Democrat from Pottsville, are going head-to-head in the race for the 9th Congressional District, which includes Williamsport and eastern Lycoming County. Both candidates have been in the county and Williamsport and have been covered extensively by the Sun-Gazette during numerous stops.
The debate brouhaha arose when Wallace accused Meuser of "backing out" of a promised Oct. 27 debate sponsored by the Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce that would have been broadcast on WVIA, a public television station.
"These political comments from a member of the chamber's board are inappropriate and frankly disappointing," Wallace said. The chamber has promised an impartial debate. That promise seems questionable given the comments made by one of the host organization's board members today."
Wallace said she is hosting seven town halls in October in the lead-up to Nov. 3.
Meuser countered allegations of not wanting to debate her and said he agreed to participate in the Oct. 20 debate in Schuylkill County, which his campaign expected to be livestreamed and widely covered by media outlets serving the entire 9th District, rather than only a portion of it.
Meuser said his campaign event schedule is ripe with opportunities for voters to gain insight into his record and reelection campaign.
"Between now and Nov. 3, I have a full schedule of events throughout the district, including official constituent events, campaign events, and other previously scheduled engagements, and we expect to have a number of political leaders visiting eastern and central Pennsylvania during that time," he said in his statement to the Sun-Gazette.
"Like every candidate in the area I'm aware of, I agreed to one debate," he said, clarifying that "even candidates in Pennsylvania's battleground congressional races have agreed to one debate at most.
Meuser strongly believes that a single debate will suffice for voters who may be uncertain and draw contrast to the former administration under President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
"I'm confident that one debate will make the contrast in this election very clear: my record of problem-solving, conservative, business-minded leadership and my plans to keep delivering for the 9th District, versus my opponent's record of years in Washington working for the Obama and Biden administrations, the Biden-Harris campaign and progressive groups funded by George Soros."