Why Won’t Yaccarino Meet Ranciato-Viele for Debate?

Theresa Ranciato-Viele, Democratic candidate for state representative for the 87th district, has asked Dave Yaccarino, the Republican incumbent, to meet for two debates in North Haven. As of this writing Yaccarino has not agreed to any debate.

The traditional League of Women Voters (LWV) debate is tentatively scheduled for October 25 in the North Haven Middle School auditorium, but the Yaccarino team is withholding acceptance of the invitation to debate until they can approve of the moderator. This is not a request that has been made in the past with his previous opponents. The LWV, a nonpartisan organization, selects the moderator for the debate. Only when the Yaccarino team approves of the moderator will they agree to the debate, Ranciato-Viele’s campaign has been told.

Ranciato-Viele has no such issues with the moderator and will accept whomever the nonpartisan League chooses. “Why the hesitance on Mr. Yaccarino’s part?" she says.

"It is concerning to me that Mr. Yaccarino and his team do not understand that the LWV is a nonpartisan organization. Asking for the moderator in advance and insisting on approval of this person is unsettling.”

Ranciato-Viele has requested a second debate with Yaccarino, to be held at a North Haven location of his
choice, with the moderator selected by his team. The Yaccarino campaign has not agreed to meet for any debate as of this writing.

Ranciato-Viele says, “It is important for the residents of North Haven to be able to watch and listen to a live political debate between their two candidates. The people of North Haven should know what is at stake in this election, how we differ, and be able to ask us both for answers to their questions. This is an American tradition, from presidential candidates on down and I intend to be there.”