Greenwich Republicans are eager to participate in neutral debates this election season to engage in a fair competition of ideas. That’s why our candidates have already accepted three invitations to debate their Democrat opponents in events hosted by the Real Estate Association [correction from the original which was listed as the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce which does not hold debates], the Round Hill Association, and an event hosted by My Voting Power (MVP) and co-sponsored by WGCH and the Greenwich Sentinel.
Greenwich Republicans declined a fourth debate invitation from the Greenwich League of Women voters because of the organization’s diminishing neutrality and objectivity in recent years. The League of Women Voters boasts a great history in our country, underscored by nonpartisan goals, but the current iteration of the Greenwich chapter has become too far removed from these objectives in recent years. Until that is fixed, Greenwich residents cannot benefit from debates hosted by our local chapter.
Consider just a few reasons that justify our opting for other debates and forums:
· The Greenwich League’s board of directors is composed of 12 Democrats and only one Republican, an imbalance that cultivates strong bias.
· The Greenwich League’s leadership has recently taken strident, vocal positions on political issues—like voting rules and more—which are complex and will be actively decided by the winners of the elections that they seek to “neutrally” moderate debates for.
· And now, in the aftermath of Republicans declining the debate invitation, the League’s president has explicitly disparaged Republican candidates, contradicting their own claim to nonpartisanship. She wrote, “Candidates who duck nonpartisan election debates…do not serve the public interest.” How can she still claim nonpartisanship by taking such a strong editorial stance against our candidates?
Our party and candidates are actively participating in at least three debates with their opposition to demonstrate our record of standing up for local control, economic growth, local police, and parental input in schools. We hope that the League will be able to regain its place in a neutral and fair space in the future so it can host debates again and honor the integrity of its mission and history. We did not seek to publicly air grievances about this disagreement with the League, but they have, unfortunately, chosen to do that.
Sincerely,
Beth MacGillivray, Chairwoman
Greenwich Republicans
