MEADVILLE —
The two challengers in Pennsylvania’s Third Congressional District race are calling on incumbent Congressman Mike Kelly to join in a debate sponsored by The Meadville Tribune.
Democrat Missa Eaton of Mercer County and Independent Steven Porter of Erie County both issued statements Tuesday criticizing Kelly, a Republican from Butler, for not being willing to participate in the local debate.
Since early September, The Meadville Tribune and Allegheny College’s Center for Political Participation have attempted to schedule a forum in Meadville with all three candidates on one of three dates in October, but Kelly’s campaign declined the invitation Sept. 7 with no reason given.
Allegheny College officials said they would not participate in the forum with only two of the three candidates present.
Subsequent direct telephone appeals to Kelly by a Tribune reporter didn’t get return phone calls.
The Tribune debate is scheduled Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. at a site to be determined, with Eaton and Porter confirmed. The invitation to Kelly to join the Tribune-sponsored debate remains open, according to Pat Bywater, the Tribune’s executive editor.
Kelly, Eaton and Porter have agreed to a televised debate that will be taped Oct. 24 in Erie and will air Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. on WQLN-TV of Erie (Channel 54) and be rebroadcast Oct. 27 at 1 p.m. on WJET-TV of Erie (Channel 24). WQLN is seen locally on Channel 13 on the Armstrong cable TV system, while WJET is seen locally on Channel 4 on Armstrong.
Both Eaton and Porter said persons elected to office owe the public an accountability of their actions. They also said they are surprised Kelly would deny constituents an opportunity to see him in a debate against his opponents.
“Whatever his reasons, I find his arrogance not only a sign of political cowardice, but a symbol of exactly why the major parties continue to ignore the people of this nation,” Porter said in a statement issued Wednesday.
“Elections are a choice, so voters need to hear both sides of the issues, each set of plans to take on our problems,” Eaton said in a statement. “The Meadville Tribune and Allegheny College are trying to set the stage for this exercise of our democracy, but my opponent does not seem to respect the democratic process.”
Josh Wilson, spokesman for the Kelly campaign, said the congressman has agreed to the televised debate. “As of now, there’s no change in the debate schedule,” Wilson said Wednesday afternoon.
Wilson also said an emailed response from the Kelly campaign by Wilson to a Tribune reporter Monday night was reported correctly by the newspaper with an error made by Wilson.
The full email sent by Wilson on Monday read: “Hi Keith. I am told you were trying to track me down re: Mike Kelly’s debate schedule. Below is a quote from me for attribution: ‘Mr. Kelly will be campaigning aggressively throughout Northeast Pennsylvania this Fall, which includes a publicly televised debate with his opponents on WQLN.’ ”
The misstatement was his responsibility, not Kelly’s, Wilson said.
“Clearly it was an error on my part,” Wilson said Wednesday. “Mr. Kelly and I certainly know his district is in northwest Pennsylvania.”
Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.
Local News
Opponents criticize Rep. Kelly’s local debate snub
- Local News
-
-
Technology speeds disaster alerts, response
Caitria O’Neill remembers her reaction to hearing tornado warnings on June 1, 2011. She went to the grocery store and said, “because I live in Massachusetts, and we don’t get tornadoes.”
-
Primary could decide Vernon supervisors spot
With three Republican candidates running for nomination and no opposing Democrats, the race for a spot on the Vernon Township Board of Supervisors could be decided this spring.
-
Communication key in keeping public safe during disaster
When bad weather is closing in on Crawford County, communication is key in keeping the public safe, according to Allen Clark, director of Emergency Management for the Crawford County Office of Emergency Services.
- NEW LOCAL: Canadian earthquake doesn't shake northwest Pennsylvania much
-
State special ed funding formula flawed
A shortfall in state special education funding may be draining Crawford County school districts of $2.3 million per year in funding that could be used to teach other children.
-
Crawford Central residents to nominate four from both parties
Residents of Crawford Central School District will vote to nominate four candidates from each party to fill four four-year terms on Crawford Central School Board during the upcoming primary election. When the November general election rolls around, however, there will be five slots to fill.
-
Mayor, two council seats are up for election in Meadville
In accordance with Pennsylvania’s Optional Third Class City Charter Law, under which the City of Meadville operates, city council consists of five members, including the mayor, elected at large by city voters during regular municipal elections to serve four-year terms.
-
County takes measures to avoid election problems
A procedures manual has been developed by the Crawford County Board of Elections in an effort to avoid potential Election Day problems.
-
Meadville officials point out key issues in parking study
A recent survey of downtown businesses is complete, results have been compiled and Meadville City Council members Nancy Mangilo-Bittner and Bob Langley are anxious to move forward on addressing a list of four key issues they say are making Meadville less than friendly to businesses and their customers.
-
Some gave all: Ceremony honors fallen police officers
They’ve gathered annually, solemnly for one simple reason at the Crawford County Courthouse each May for more than 30 years.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Technology speeds disaster alerts, response
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children
Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
