SOMERSET COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES MARANO AND RUSSO LOOKING FORWARD TO LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS’ DEBATE

Announce they will accept any debate held by a non-partisan organization serving Somerset County

For Immediate Release: August 16, 2019

[Somerville, NJ] – Somerset County Democrats Melonie Marano and Darrin Russo announced today they accepted an invitation to the League of Women Voters’ debate against their Republican opponents in Somerville on September 19^th.

“Debates are an American tradition, and I am excited to have the opportunity to discuss the issues facing our county in a public forum,” said Marano, candidate for Somerset County Freeholder.  “Darrin and I have the experience, qualifications and vision to make Somerset County work for everyone, and can’t wait to be on a stage with our opponents.”

“I can’t think of a better way to highlight the differences between our campaigns than to stand in front of an audience answering their questions about the future of Somerset County,” said Russo, candidate for Somerset County Sheriff. “The voters deserve a chance to see Melonie and me in contrast to the opposing candidates, and we look forward to this and any other opportunity to present ourselves.”

To date, the Republican candidates have not accepted the debate. Over the past three years, the Republicans have been unwilling to debate the Democrats in a public forum.

“In the past I guess the Republicans felt they didn’t have to stand in front of the voters, but with the Democratic victories in the past two years, perhaps that will change,” said Peg Schaffer, Somerset County Democratic Chair. “In fact, we are willing to accept any non-partisan organization’s invitation to debate and hope the GOP will do so as well.”

Organizations wishing to host a debate can send an invitation to Melonie Marano and Darrin Russo at somersetdemsed@gmail.com.

The League of Women Voters of the Greater New Brunswick area has scheduled the debate for September 19, 2019 at 7 p.m. in the Somerville High School Auditorium.

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