To The Editor:

This past June, I reached out to the Republican Town Committee to organize a debate, as in past campaigns. To my surprise, between June and September I had barely any response to my follow ups.

I asked Mr. Bolinsky twice at his coffee with the candidate events, and twice he told me “I have nothing to gain” from a debate. His campaign manager said that a debate in this day and age is unnecessary, that if voters want information they can go straight to the candidate.

But as I reminded Mr. Bolinsky, debates are not about what he has to gain, it’s about what the voters have to gain.

When a voter talks to one candidate, that candidate “gains” by controlling the narrative. In a debate, it’s the voter who gains, by hearing an immediate response with an opposing viewpoint. Debates offer voters a real opportunity to learn who will serve them better.

It would be a complete and utter disservice to the Newtown voters if we miss out on a debate. Mr. Bolinsky’s campaign needs to understand that a debate is about the voters’ gain, about our need for transparency and accountability.

Come on, Mitch, step up to the plate!

Alex Villamil

Sandy Hook