LEWISBURG – A one-and-only debate between candidates for the 85th District is coming up next week, with one candidate unhappy with the arrangements. Democratic candidate Dr. Jennifer-Rager Kay will debate four-term Republican incumbent Fred Keller (R-85th, Kreamer) next Monday at 7 p.m. at the Susquehanna Valley Conservatives meeting. It’s located at the Best Western on Route 15 in Lewisburg next to Country Cupboard.
Rager-Kay expressed her concerns in a news release, saying Keller recently declined the League of Women Voters’ invitation to participate in a candidates’ forum. For next week’s debate at the conservatives’ meeting, Rager-Kay says the group and Keller’s campaign declined her request to have an independent moderator added to the panel.
The event instead will be moderated by three SVC board members, and audience questions will be screened prior to the event. Dr. Rager-Kay says she believes the people of the Valley deserve to hear from both candidates in a public forum, so she will still participate. Representative Keller said he will only participate in one debate with Dr. Rager-Kay.
The full statement from the campaign:
Dr. Jennifer Rager-Kay to Debate Rep. Fred Keller
SELINSGROVE, PA (Sept. 28, 2018) – Despite organizers’ lack of commitment to an honest dialogue, Dr. Jenn Rager-Kay still intends to debate Rep. Fred Keller in front of his supporters. The event, hosted by the Susquehanna Valley Conservatives, will take place on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m., at the Best Western Country Cupboard Inn, Rt. 15, Lewisburg.
This will be the only debate between Keller, a four-term incumbent, and Dr. Rager-Kay, his Democratic challenger. The winner of the Nov. 6 election will represent the 85th District in the PA House of Representatives.
Mr. Keller recently declined the League of Women Voters invitation to participate in a candidates’ forum, and also declined invitations from both Republican and Democratic student groups at Susquehanna University. As of press time, student groups from both parties at Bucknell University were awaiting his response to their invitations.
“I asked for a fair debate at a neutral site, and he wouldn’t do it,” said Dr. Rager-Kay. “He would agree only if he could control the questions, the moderator, the audience. This is a not the kind of representation we deserve.”
During preliminary discussions, the Rager-Kay campaign tried to work with the Keller Campaign to ensure a fair debate on the issues, but the Susquehanna Valley Conservatives and the Keller Campaign refused Dr. Rager-Kay’s request to have an independent moderator added to the panel. The event will be moderated by three SVC board members, and audience questions will be screened prior to the event – giving Rep, Keller even more of an advantage in a room full of his peers.
“This isn’t a debate. This is a firing squad,” Dr. Rager-Kay said. “I was hoping Mr. Keller would understand how important it is that this debate be hosted by an impartial organization, but once again we see that his campaign is not really interested in listening to the people.”
Dr. Rager-Kay believes the people of the Susquehanna Valley deserve to hear from both candidates at a public forum, so she will be there on Oct. 8 – ready and willing to listen to voters’ concerns.
“Fred has had eight years to deliver real progress for this district, and he has little to show for it,” Dr. Rager-Kay further added. “It’s time for some new leadership in Harrisburg. The people of the 85th District deserve a representative who will fight to make THEIR lives better.”
About Dr. Jennifer Rager-Kay:
Since moving back to Pennsylvania after completing her medical training, Dr. Jennifer Rager-Kay has been actively working to improve this community. A physician at UPMC and the mother of a 5-year-old son, she is truly committed to the growth and sustainability of this region.
For more information about Dr. Jennifer Rager-Kay, visit https://drjennforpa85.com/.
