Avella slams Padavan for declining debate invite
Posted on August 27, 2010 by Connor Adams Sheets in District 11, State Senate
State Senate candidate Tony Avella has called out his opponent, state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose), for declining to participate in a recently announced political debate.
Avella accepted an invitation Thursday to the proposed debate, which was to be held Oct. 4 at Queensborough Community College in Bayside, co-sponsored by TimesLedger Newspapers and the Queens Chronicle.
“Mr. Avella was absolutely shocked that Sen. Padavan would refuse to engage in a fair and non-partisan debate on the issues,” Avella spokeswoman Rebecca Sheehan said in a statement.
“Debate organizers told us that Sen. Padavan personally refused to accept the invitation, giving the excuse that there were numerous civic groups that were holding candidate night forums.”
Padavan’s campaign could not be reached for comment Friday evening.
A Republican source close to Padavan said he believes the 38-year veteran of the state Senate turned down the invite because he felt that there were already enough debates being held between him and Avella, granting enough opportunities for the candidates’ views to be aired to voters.
