General Assembly Candidates To Debate Oct. 24

Candidates for the R.I. House District 30 and Senate District 35 General Assembly seats will meet Wednesday, Oct. 24, in a debate sponsored by East Greenwich’s Republican and Democratic town committees and East Greenwich Patch.

The debate will be moderated by ABC-6 political reporter Mark Curtis, an East Greenwich resident, and EG Patch editor Elizabeth McNamara.

“The Great Debate” is set for Varnum Armory, with the State Representative candidates Anthony Giarrusso, Mark Schwager and Kevin McDonough taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. and State Senate candidates Dawson Hodgson and Winter Hames taking their places an hour later.

Admission is free.

Town Committee chairs Tom Plunkett and Chuck Newton said the debate is an effort to stimulate voter engagement in November, and provide an opportunity for all five candidates to present their views on key issues before the community.

“Back in August, we held a very successful debate among the three Republicans seeking the State Representative seat,” said Newton.

“Even though this was just a primary contest, more than 120 turned out for the event, an excellent sign of political interest and engagement in East Greenwich. Our hope is that two or three times that number will join us at Varnum on the 24th.”

Tom Plunkett, chairman of the East Greenwich Democratic Town Committee, said the debates were “a terrific opportunity for voters to see their candidates in action.”

“Many voters get to the polls without an opportunity to meet or otherwise assess the candidates for whom they are voting. This is a chance to change all that. It is good for the voters, it is good for the candidates, and it is very positive for East Greenwich.

“It’s a unique opportunity. We don’t know of any other community in Rhode Island that is doing anything like this,” said Plunkett.

EG Patch is looking for questions for the candidates. What do you want the candidates to talk about? Let us know. Leave your question here in the comment section or send an email to elizabeth.mcnamara@patch.com. Thanks!