Democratic gubernatorial front runner Ned Lamont is refusing to debate former Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy in a live forum in late July.
Three Republicans, however, will be debating on July 28 at 7 p.m. on WCTX MyTV 9, which is the sister station of Channel 8. The debate will take place at the Garde Arts Center, a traditional spot for gubernatorial and Senatorial debates through the years.
"To say we are disappointed with Mr. Lamont's decision to avoid a live televised debate before an audience of 1,500 primary voters in New London would be an understatement," said Gary Farrugia, the publisher of The Day of New London. Farrugia had personally asked Lamont to participate, but he declined.
Lamont's spokeswoman, Justine Sessions, said in a statement released by the debate sponsors that Lamont had instead decided to spend his time campaigning instead of debating.
Malloy, who has been trailing by 17 percentage points in each of the past two Quinnipiac University polls, immediately expressed dismay.
"The Day said today that they are disappointed in Ned's decision. I think it's worse than that," Malloy said in a statement. "This debate is a tradition. It's a chance for voters to see and hear each candidate only days before heading to the polls. It's when primary voters are most tuned in and most ready to hear from candidates about their values, their experience, and their vision. And Ned Lamont is denying them that chance. What a shame."
Malloy continued in his statement: "Please, let's not buy the 'I've debated Dan plenty of times, and I want to spend more time talking to voters' line.' It's ridiculous. Ned and I have had exactly one televised debate where it was just the two of us. In 2006, he practically begged Joe Lieberman to debate him. You've all seen the YouTube clip.''
"If this is an indication that Ned is going to refuse to meet me in any televised debate between now and the primary, I think it's an unprecedented situation," Malloy added. "No statewide debate in the closing weeks of a campaign this important? What a shame."
The debate would have been on Tuesday, July 27 - exactly two weeks before the August 10 primary.