Herbert Says He'll Debate in Basking Ridge, No Word Yet From Frelinghuysen

Democratic Congressional candidate Douglas Herbert says he'd be happy to take part in a debate in Basking Ridge, but so far there's no word from incumbent Republican Rodney Frelinghuysen on whether he'll accept an invitation from several local groups for such a forum.

"I am still planning for what promises to be a busy fall schedule,"  Frelinghuysen  said in a statement released by his campaign manager, Megan Fielder. "Over the course of the campaign, however, I look forward to a steady dialogue with voters regarding how best to create jobs, fix our economy and fight back against the Obama-Pelosi agenda of ever-growing government, unprecedented federal spending and more taxes."

Herbert's campaign responded Tuesday within hours to an e-mail sent by a representative of Ridge Empowerment for Political Participation, inviting him to a debate. The invitation came from that group in conjunction with the League of Women Voters of Somerset Hills and the administration of Ridge High School.

The Herbert camp accepted the request, allowing for an open-ended schedule to best suit the inviting organizations. 

"We have accepted two invitations to debate thus far, our opponent is still 'checking his schedule,'" Herbert campaign manager Bassam Gergi said in an e-mail to Patch. "An election is about deciding which direction voters want to take the country in. We're willing to participate in as many debates as they need to understand the direction we want to go in."

The debate invitation comes on the heels of another, issued by Sparta Unites for Our Schools on Saturday, when Frelinghuysen was stumping in Stanhope. The eight-term congressman has also not committed to a decision on Herbert's request made earlier this summer to hold three debates, in August, September and October.