Press release:
BATAVIA, NY – The Bellavia campaign today invited Collins campaign officials to negotiate the details of a series of debates leading up to the June 26th Republican Primary in New York’s 27th Congressional District.
“It is unfortunate Mr. Collins took so long to assent to the wishes of voters,” Paul Cole, campaign manager for Bellavia for Congress, wrote in a letter to Michael Hook, general consultant for the Collins campaign. “But there is still time to assure the constituents of all eight counties are all afforded opportunities to see the candidates discuss the vital issues of the day.”
On March 27th, Bellavia challenged Mr. Collins to a series of eight debates in the eight counties of the 27th District. Saturday, 47 days later, Collins acquiesced and agreed to debate. The text of Cole’s letter to the Collins campaign can be found below.
Text of letter after the jump (click on headline to read):
May 13, 2012
Mr. Michael J. Hook
Collins for Congress
9660 Cobblestone Drive
Clarence, NY 14031-1576
Dear Mr. Hook:
On March 27, 2012, David Bellavia challenged Chris Collins to a series of eight debates in the eight counties of the 27th Congressional District of New York. It has been 47 days since Mr. Bellavia issued this challenge. I am delighted to know Mr. Collins changed his mind just yesterday and now agrees with Mr. Bellavia that the voters of the 27th District deserve debates.
It is unfortunate Mr. Collins took so long to assent to the wishes of the voters; the first weeks of the debate series Mr. Bellavia proposed 47 days ago have come and gone. But there is still time to assure the constituents of all eight counties are all afforded opportunities to see the candidates discuss the vital issues of the day. For this reason, I would like to invite you or another representative of Collins for Congress to join me in negotiations to determine how many debates we will have, the locations of those debates and other important details of the events - rules, attendees, format, and more.
As a reminder of Mr. Bellavia’s position, I have enclosed his March 27 letter to Mr. Collins and his list of proposed debates. Please let me hear from your team as soon as possible so these important discussions can begin. I can be reached on my cell phone at 315-xxx-xxxx.
If the Republican candidates for President of the United States can endure 20 debates, we can give the Republicans of the 27th District the debate series they deserve. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Paul Cole
Campaign Manager
