This week the Greenwich Republican Town Committee announced they had declined to have their candidates participate in the League of Women Voters debates this fall, “because of the organization’s diminishing neutrality and objectivity in recent years.
The RTC announced they would instead participate in three debates: Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, the Round Hill Association, and an event hosted jointly by WGCH, Greenwich Sentinel, and My Voting Power.
The Democrats that they would not participate in the debate involving the Greenwich Sentinel. DTC chair Joe Angland said, “Democratic candidates would not attend a debate sponsored by The Greenwich Sentinel, which we understand is largely financed by leaders of the Republican party.”
It turns out there is no debate being hosted by the Greenwich Chamber. The Chamber is not organizing candidates debates, and does not as a rule.
That left the debate being hosted by Round Hill Association, to be moderated by John Conte. That debate is is open to the public, but debate only included candidates who would represent that area of Greenwich. That means Kimberly Fiorello versus Rachel Khanna competing for State Rep 149th district and Ryan Fazio versus Trevor Crow competing for State Senate 36th district. The RHA forum will be held at the Round Hill Community House on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, beginning at 6:30pm will a social half hour and the conversation with the candidates date beginning at 7:00pm.
The good news is there will be a forum hosted by the Greenwich Association of Realtors for all candidates.
The Greenwich Association of Realtors event will include State Senate and State Rep candidates from both parties, but it is actually a forum rather than a debate. There will be no time allotted for rebuttals.
Questions will be drafted by the GAR Board of Directors based on input from GAR members. The event will be moderated by GAR 2022 president Bryan Tunney.
The questions will focus on the economy, real estate and land use. Candidates will be given the questions ahead of time to prepare their responses.
The event is set for Oct 14 from 9:00-11:00am at the Water Club in Cos Cob. The event is by invitation only.
During the forum, State Senate candidates will go first, followed by State Rep candidates. Each will be given two minutes to respond to each question. The order of respondents will rotate for each question to give each candidate the opportunity to be first to respond. The initial order of respondents will be chosen by random selection.
According to the GAR, the goal is for their members to walk away with an understanding of the positions of each of the candidates on various issues that may impact their business and the community in which they, and their clients, work and live.
Following the questions, the candidates will each have an opportunity to share closing remarks for four minutes.
Participants
State Senate Candidates- 36th District:
- Ryan Fazio -R (incumbent)
- Trevor Crow -D
House Representative Candidates:
- 149th District: Kimberly Fiorello -R (incumbent)
- Rachel Khanna -D
- 150th District: Ed Lopez -R
- Steve Meskers -D (incumbent)
- 151st District: Peter Sherr -R
- Hector Arzeno -D
See also:
DTC Chair Pushes Back on RTC Debate Lineup
UPDATED: Greenwich Republicans Decline to Participate in 2022 LWV Debates