Letter: Voters Deserve Better Than No-Show Representatives

Candidate debates were held in State College on Monday night. It was democracy on public display as all challengers and incumbents for Pennsylvania House and Senate races appeared to answer questions submitted by the audience.

But it was a different story for Centre County’s two congressional districts. Neither incumbent, Republicans Glenn Thompson nor Tom Marino, bothered to show up, thus confirming once again that neither has the interest or courage to face a live, public audience of their constituents.

That’s unfortunate because Marino and Thompson would have joined an overflow crowd in hearing Marc Friedenberg and Susan Boser, who both are everything we could wish for in a U.S. representative. Both displayed deep knowledge of the issues, concern for all residents, and a commitment to public openness that the two incumbents so sadly lack. 

These forums are organized so that the public can submit direct questions to all candidates. The dates are set well in advance and all candidates, incumbents and challengers, are invited.

What is it about Marino and Thompson that leads them to think they are above participating in such events? How dare they flip off the voters like this? It’s time to vote Marino and Thompson out!

We have never seen two better candidates for Congress at the same event than Marc Friedenberg and Susan Boser. They have earned your vote.

On November 6, vote Friedenberg and Boser in.

Gary Gray