MEADVILLE —
Democratic congressional candidate Missa Eaton now says she, too, is dropping out of an upcoming Meadville Tribune-sponsored debate in Crawford County — and causing the event to be postponed.
As of last week, Eaton, a Democrat from Sharon, and Steven Porter, an independent candidate from Wattsburg, candidates for Pennsylvania’s Third Congressional District, were scheduled to meet at a Meadville Tribune-sponsored debate next month. The Third Congressional District includes all or parts of seven western Pennsylvania counties and almost all of Crawford County.
Republican Mike Kelly, the freshman incumbent from Butler previously declined the Tribune’s invitation for a forum for Third District candidates set for Oct. 10.
On Wednesday, Eaton campaign spokesman Michael Yeatts confirmed Eaton now isn’t planning to appear at the Tribune-sponsored debate.
“Missa wants to debate Mike Kelly and if Mike Kelly is not going to be there, then we don’t want to be part of the debate,” Yeatts told a Tribune reporter. “If you want to do a candidates forum where Missa Eaton speaks to a group, we may be in on something like that. Mike Kelly is the competition.”
Tribune messages left with the Porter campaign weren’t returned.
With two of three candidates now saying they won’t appear, The Meadville Tribune has decided to cancel the debate.
“It’s with reluctance,” said Jim Galantis, the Meadville Tribune’s publisher. “It’s disappointing for the public that the candidates have decided not to appear.”
Pat Bywater, the Tribune’s executive editor, agreed.
“The debate would have been an opportunity for the community to have all three candidates in one location responding to questioning on issues in an unfiltered format,” said Bywater. “We’re keeping our invitation open to hold a debate with all three candidates.”
Crawford County party officials didn’t know of Eaton’s decision to drop out of the Tribune-sponsored debate until contacted by the newspaper.
Diane Adsit, chair of the Crawford County Democratic Committee, said she had not talked with Eaton’s campaign and declined additional comment.
Jody Leech, chair of the Crawford County Republican Party, said she realized “Ms. Eaton wants to debate Mr. Kelly, not Mr. Porter.”
Kelly also dropped out of two other debates within the district — one planned for Tuesday by the League of Women Voters of Clarion County and another Oct. 17 by the League of Women Voters of Mercer County.
The three candidates for the Third Congressional District have agreed to one debate.
It will be a televised debate that will be prerecorded in Erie on Oct. 24 and aired on Erie television stations Oct. 25 and 27.
The televised debate 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.
Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.
Local News
Eaton drops out; Tribune cancels congressional debate
- Local News
-
-
Master Gardeners lead charge to get park planted
The flowers at Mary B. DeArment Memorial Park don’t just spring up out of the ground.
The year-round maintenance of Penn State Master Gardeners of Crawford County and additional volunteers ensures a colorful welcome to Meadville, according to members who spent their Saturday morning in the group’s culminating effort, its annual DeArment Park Planting. -
5/18/13 SLIDESHOW: DeArment Park Planting
Click photo for slideshow -
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.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
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
