Republicans of the IL-16th district may have no debate between Candidate for Congress Jim Marter and Rep. Kinzinger

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION

CONTACT: Linda Prestia-Communications Marter for Congress

Phone: 815-585-8006

Email: press@marter4congress.us

Web: www.marter4congress.us

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Marter4Congress

Twitter: #Marter4Congress

Republicans of the IL-16^th district may have no debate between Candidate for Congress Jim Marter and Rep. Kinzinger

MORRIS, Ill., Mar 7, 2018 – James Marter, Republican candidate for Congress in the Illinois 16^thDistrict has committed to debate Rep. Adam Kinzinger at any location in the District and with any forum.

In spite of repeated requests by the Ottawa times for Rep. Adam Kinzinger to debate his primary challenger Jim Marter, he remains silent and has yet to commit or respond to debate requests.  Kinzinger is not holding open to the public town hall meetings either. 

He was a no-show at candidate forums conducted by several organizations, like the NIRW Northern Illinois Republican Women, the Durand CHARM, the League of Women Voters (Rockford), the Candidate forum in Pontiac by Livingston County Republicans, and the LaSalle County Tea Party.

Less than Two weeks away from the March 20 primary, and Kinzinger has not committed to a public debate and missed many opportunities already. 

He was afforded exactly that opportunity against his primary opponent, incumbent Conservative Congressman Don Manzullo IL-16, while he ran from out of district in 2012. 

He also demanded debates versus Deb Halverson in Illinois' 11th District where Kinzinger was first elected to Congress. 

He used the Town Hall Boost.  “Kinzinger campaigned in relative obscurity.  He had served on a local county board but was not widely known in his district, which encompasses exurban and rural areas southwest of Chicago.  And then a stroke of luck hit for the young Republican: As Congress took its August recess, representatives held town halls all around the country to hear their constituent’s views on health care.  Halvorson, the incumbent Democrat, held her own town halls -- but by phone.  "I just decided that if she's not going to throw the town hall meetings, then we'll do it," Kinzinger said to Politico at the time.  Kinzinger arranged a few forums where people in his district could air their views on health care. They became a watershed moment for the campaign.”  (Source ABC News 2012)

This speaks volumes to the folks in the district.  It appears now that he is dodging the request for a debate and will not debate.

We wonder, is he afraid?

Constituents should ask him why he won’t debate.  “I am ready and willing to meet him anywhere to conduct a debate in the district.  The people deserve the opportunity to hear both candidates on the issues,” said Jim Marter in a statement.

Rep. Kinzinger told Tea Party members last November in Rockford “that there would be debates.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ_UOLVktNw (Link to public debate with Rep. Kinzinger and former Congressman Don Manzullo in Iroquois County.)

A major sore spot for voters this election season has been Rep. Kinzinger’s evasion of questions and Town Hall meetings that allow the public to address the issues directly with their elected Congressman.

“I will resume public forums and Town Hall meetings so that the voices of the folks in the IL-16^thDistrict can be heard again, if elected as the next Congressman.  They deserve, an elected official who is accessible and who is in touch with them,” said Marter.