Linares Explains Absence at Haddam Debate, Contends Bias Apparent

Senator Art Linares, R-33rd, has announced he will participate in one final pre-election debate on Thursday, Oct. 23, in Clinton.

By Election Day, Nov. 4, Linares will have participated in five debates and six forums with his two opponents. Linares said he is proud to have attended more debates and forums than any other sitting Senator this election season, adding that he wanted to make sure his opponents and the public had the opportunity to have an honest and open exchange of ideas.

Asked about the debate on Oct. 14 being sponsored by the Haddam Bulletin, Linares’s Campaign Manager Ryan Linares said, “The moderator and editor of the Haddam Bulletin, Ed Schwing, helped manage Melissa Shlag’s Senate campaign.  Ms. Schlag was Senator Linares’ opponent two years ago.  Ms. Schlag works at the Haddam Bulletin, is Democratic First Selectman for Haddam and has endorsed Senator Linares’ opponent this election.  This will not be an unbiased debate.  The Senator is not interested in that kind of debate.”

Ryan Linares pointed out that former Democratic Senator Eileen Daily saw fit to hold only one debate during her last re-election.

“Senator Art Linares has personally knocked on more than 7,500 doors this election season,” Ryan Linares said. “He has visited all 12 towns in the 33rd district on numerous occasions and has had hundreds of encounters with individuals at fairs, festivals and town events. In addition, he has called and spoken to hundreds of voters over the last few months.”

Senator Linares voted against increasing the budget and the tax increase during the last two legislative sessions.

Ryan Linares said, “Senator Linares has a solid record – from protecting people’s rights as stated in the state constitution to understanding that jobs and business growth are the way to balance budgets, not tax increases.”