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Tom ReedNate ShinawagaCongressman Tom Reed announced this week he will participate in three regional debates against Democratic challenger Nate Shinagawa leading up to the Nov. 6th election for the 23rd Congressional District. The debates are scheduled for October 26th at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, October 28th with the Jamestown Post Journal and November 1st in Elmira. The debate in Elmira will be aired live on WETM television. WETM broadcasts into five counties in the 23rd district.

But Shinagawa says Reed is locking out opportunities for all three western counties of New York’s 23rd Congressional District a chance to view a debate with his opponent over television, in person, or over the radio. 

“This is a big problem for voters looking for information about this race.  Congressman Reed is denying voters in Tompkins, Seneca, Yates, Ontario, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties any chance to hear both sides of the issues,” says Shinagawa.

The Reed campaign notes that all three debates will be available for replay online throughout the entire district for those who are unable to watch. Reed has also agreed to a series of Q&As with his opponent which will appear in area newspapers. Reed will publish links to the debates and answers.

"President Obama is doing three debates while Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is debating her opponent once," says Reed. "We have accepted three regional debate requests in Elmira, Geneva and Jamestown – covering the entire district. “I am looking forward to discussing my record of fighting for a better environment for small business job creation, reduced spending and less government."

"Congress is out of session for the month of October, and they are trying to get out sooner,"said Nate Treffeisen, Shinagawa’s Communications Director.  "We have a new district with over 45% of new voters.  It’s truly a disservice to the voters in our community, and I think Congressman Reed knows that his politics of voting in lock step with the Republican leadership is not what the voters of New York want to hear anymore."

Reed says he looks forward to participating in debates throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes.  Two confirmed public debates are scheduled. The only televised debate will appear on WETM, the Elmira NBC Affiliate, on November 1st.  Another is confirmed on October 26th at Hobart William and Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY.  A private debate between Shinagawa and Reed will held by the Jamestown Post-Journal, and details from that debate will be published in the Jamestown Post-Journal and Dunkirk Observer in the last week of October.

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