Bee Debate Will Include 106, 112 District Contenders

By John Voket

The Newtown Bee has scheduled an October 20 debate, and received confirmation that contenders for both the 106th and 112th District statehouse races will attend. The debate will take place on stage at Edmond Town Hall from 7:30 to 9 pm.

Incumbent Republican DebraLee Hovey and her 112th District Democratic challenger, Monroe attorney Michelle Mount, along with 106th District contenders Democrat Christopher Lyddy and Republican Will Rodgers will participate.

Mr Rodgers, an attorney, and Mr Lyddy, a social services worker, currently serve together on the Newtown Legislative Council.

The 112th District encompasses several thousand households in the 3-2 voting district of Newtown as well as all of the Town of Monroe. The 106th District covers the rest of Newtown.

That seat opens up this term following the announcement that longtime Representative Julia Wasserman is retiring.

According to Bee Editor Curtiss Clark, who will moderate, the candidates will be afforded some time for opening remarks before they will face questions from readers, the newspaper’s editorial staff, and each other.

“I hope a portion of this debate will be interactive, with participants engaging each other in dialogue about some of the most pressing issues facing Newtown and the state,” Mr Clark said.

Newtown residents and Bee readers are invited to submit questions for consideration in advance, by dropping them at the newspaper office or via email to editor@thebee.com. Anyone submitting by email is asked to indicate “debate questions” in the email subject line.

Doors at the town hall theater will open at 7 pm preceding the event. Charter Cable plans to broadcast and rerun The Newtown Bee debate on its public access channel.

The debate will also stream in audio format beginning October 21 at www.newtownbee.com.