By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
On the eve of the only scheduled debate between congressional candidates in the 23rd Congressional District, Democrat Aaron Gies accused Rep. Nick Langworthy of lying to avoid other debates.
Gies, of Olean, and Langworthy, who is seeking a third two-year term in Congress, are scheduled to meet in a debate on WETM-TV in Elmira tonight at 7 o’clock. It will stream on WIVB-TV’s website.
The debate will be live on WETM 18 and streamed live on their website MyTwinTiers.com. It will also be livestreamed by WIVB’s digital platforms
It will be the first and only debate between the candidates. Gies spoke directly with the congressman in August at the Eden Corn Festival Parade, asking for additional debates to be scheduled. Langworthy made no commitment at that time.
The Gies campaign also released documents that show Langworthy publicly claimed to have accepted a debate invitation from WBEN radio. The station said no debate invitation was ever formally extended to the candidates.
Gies said Langworthy has rejected additional debates, “repeatedly arguing that two debates are sufficient.” Two years ago, Langworthy and Democrat Tom Carle held two debates, at WETM in Elmira, and with the Chautauqua County League of Women Voters in Fredonia.
In a copy of a letter to the League of Women Voters in Chautauqua County, Langworthy ruled out a debate moderated by the League of Women Voters, citing their support of the recent No Kings rallies and a hostility toward conservatives.
Langworthy wrote: the League’s “sponsorship and collaboration with the No Kinds events, along with a continued hostility toward conservatives, makes it impossible for me to view the organization as a neutral, nonpartisan host.”
He added: ”Voters will have multiple opportunities to hear from both candidates. I have agreed to a televised debate on WETM in Elmira which will be livestreamed live across WIVB’s digital platforms, as well; as a radio debate hosted by WBEN 930 in Buffalo.”
On Aug. 13, Langworthy’s campaign posted on social media criticizing Gies for not yet accepting an alleged debate invitation from WBEN 930. The post was subsequently deleted.
The Gies campaign provided an email from WBEN radio that stated “no formal debate invite has been sent to anyone.”
And an Oct. 5 email; from WKBW-TV in Buffalo to Gies campaign manager Robert Leonard stated, “Langworthy’s campaign informed us that he had already agreed to two debates and will not be participating in any additional debates.”
Jessica Proud, Langworthy’s chief of staff, told the Olean Star today (Tuesday) that “Congressman Langworthy has publicly agreed to a debate on the Hardline program and it was our understanding that the professor has accepted host Joe Beamer’s invitation as well. If Professor Gies has backed out, we are unaware.”
She added: “ I really don’t know why he’s trying to lie about this. We are just waiting on a date from them.”
On Aug. 13, Langworthy’s campaign posted on social media criticizing Gies for not yet accepting an alleged debate invitation from WBEN 930. The post was subsequently deleted, according to a Gies spokesman.
The post prompted the Gies campaign to contact WBEN directly. In an email on Aug. 13, WBEN’s Brand Manager, Lisa Polizzi explained that Langworthy had responded live on the station that he would be open to a debate, but confirmed that no formal invitation had been extended to either campaign.
The discrepancy became even more significant when Langworthy subsequently declined a debate hosted by the League of Women Voters. In a Sept. 3rd letter declining that invitation, Langworthy cited debates with WETM and WBEN as opportunities to give voters across the district multiple chances to hear from the candidates.
On Oct. 5th, in an email from Aaron Mason, WKBW Sr. News Director, the Gies campaign was informed that Langworthy had declined WKBW’s invitation because he has already accepted two debate invitations.
But according to WBEN, it had not issued any formal debate invitation.
The Gies campaign followed up with WBEN. The station reiterated its position in an email on Oct. 5th: “No formal debate invitation has been sent out to anyone.”
To date, the Gies campaign has received formal debate invitations from WETM, the League of Women Voters, WSKG and WKBW. Gies has accepted all debate invitations and remains willing to participate in additional debates and forums with Langworthy.
Langworthy has declined invitations from the League of Women Voters, WSKG and WKBW, while citing the supposed WBEN debate as a reason not to accept others.
“Voters in this district deserve to hear directly from the people asking for their vote,” said Gies. “Congressman Langworthy doesn’t want to defend his record, so he’s dodging debates just like he dodges meetings with voters. I am willing to debate him wherever voters can watch and listen. I will explain my ideas and answer tough questions, even if it’s on Newsmax.”
“Team Langworthy has apparently discovered a new campaign strategy,” said Gies Campaign Manager Robert Leonard. “Invent a debate to reject real debates.” That’s not a Congressman defending his record. That’s a Congressman running away from it and voters have every right to wonder what he’s so desperate to avoid.”
Leonard said that Gies is well over halfway through his 100 Town Hall Tour. To find a Town Hall near you, visit Aaronforny23.com.
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