Trumbull First Selectman Herbst Willing to Debate Empty Chair After State Treasurer Backs Out of Debate

Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst said he would debate an empty chair if he had to after State Treasurer Denise Nappier cancelled her attendance at a debate Tuesday.

Nappier canceled Tuesday morning citing personal reasons, the Hartford Courant reports. Herbst, a Republican, is seeking the state treasurer position, which Nappier has held for 16 years.

“What concerns me most is that Ms. Nappier has been unable to demonstrate to Connecticut residents why she deserves another term in office,” Herbst said in a statement. “I am genuinely concerned for her well-being and I think Ms. Nappier needs to let the families of Connecticut know whether she is physically and emotionally able to carry out her duties managing $26 billion of assets.”

Herbst has been actively attempting to engage in a debate with 16-year incumbent Nappier.

“It seems more and more apparent that she is as poorly engaged in this campaign as she is in her official duties as State Treasurer,” said JR Romano, spokesman for Herbst’s campaign in a statement. “The Hartford Courant editorial board interview showed her incoherent and disconnected from the operations of her office and the boards and funds for which they are responsible. The public deserves to know what is happening.”

Herbst told CT News Junkie, the organization that was set to moderate the debate, that he still intends to show-up to the debate and will debate an empty chair if he has to.

Nappier campaign spokeswoman Rose Ryan told Capitol Watch that the campaign was hoping to schedule a debate before the election.

The Courant noted that Nappier hasn’t responded to repeated telephone calls and emails from the paper over a period of months. It also noted her mother has been ill.

Image via Wikimedia Commons/Alvar Aalto

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