Debate Of One? April 2 Pre-Caucus Event Looks More Like Candidate Q&A Session
The College Democrats of Connecticut (CDCT) announced on March 27 it would host a Newtown Pre-Caucus Democratic Debate on Thursday, April 2, at 7:30 pm, in the auditorium of Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Road.
Candidates Michelle Embree Ku and Brandon Moore were both invited to participate. Embree Ku and Moore have both launched campaigns for the 106th District Legislature seat. He announced his in late January, and she announced hers in January. They are running against incumbent Republican Mitch Bolinsky, who has served seven terms. Bolinsky and his team formally launched his re-election campaign on Presidents Day.
The pre-caucus debate at the high school will be moderated by the CDCT Executive Board and will include both moderated and audience-submitted questions.
Embree Ku did not accept the invitation to participate in the event, however. She confirmed that news this week on a phone call with Newtown Bee Editor Jim Taylor, during which she also referred to a pair of forums “discussed and agreed on by the candidates” that are planned for this month and next. The League of Women Voters will moderate those events, according to a Letter to the Editor from Embree Ku going in print and online this week.
In an email to The Newtown Bee on April 1, College Democrats of Connecticut President Ryan Rosario said his group “absolutely” plans “to move forward with the event as scheduled."
“Our team has put a lot of time and energy into organizing this, and we remain committed to giving voters in House District 106 a real space for engagement, especially given that this is the first competitive State House primary in the state,” the email continued. “This is consistent with our broader mission of facilitating meaningful engagement with Democratic candidates in competitive primaries.”
Rosario said CDCT’s Executive Board will pose questions to Moore on Thursday evening, and will take questions from Newtown residents in the audience.
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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.
I am a bit disappointed about how long it has taken to hear from candidates. The race for the state representative seat is an important race. The entire country is “flipping” seats because this country is undergoing difficult, to say the least, times. It’s almost as if there is a resistance to organizing a forum so the public hears from the democratic state representative candidates That is wholly undemocratic. It says a great deal about those resisting these sessions. If the choice was to let the public choose a democratic candidate, then have them address the public as early on, and as often, as possible. That is true transparency. I have learned the hard way that there is a great deal of behind the scenes manipulation and rumors nourishment. It’s a losing strategy. My favorite gift is a T-shirt that says that I am not a woman who will ever be remembered as not speaking up. It’s my motto.
Very strange for an outside group to not coordinate a debate with each of the candidates or the town committee before announcing… especially when the other candidate was already promoting it. Sus.
The DTC distanced themselves from this event in a statement. This group didn’t even have the community center reserved when they had announced it would be there. Probably worth mentioning in the story
I went last night. As the parent of College age kids (1 in, 1 on the way) I was impressed with everything about this (except maybe the microphones). Young Individuals not only participating in the democratic process but dedicating their time and energy to put events together SO THAT OTHERS CAN PARTICIPATE…A+ Obviously they did a great job you can tell by the people who are trying to throw shade. Sus? LOL. Bruh, Ryan Knapp now picking on kids – not a good look bro. Low key cringey.
The group of college students reached out to both candidates. One appeared and one did not. The DTC had plans for one not to appear and that was coordinated. I knew before anything was released to the public, of one non appearance being coordinated. Why is a forum such a concern? Why so much promotion of rumors and so many moving over toward the candidacy of Brandin Moore. Including me. The lack of transparency has to end. The manipulation of residents as well. I saw it firsthand and pulled away from the campaign. Nothing sus here just lack of information.