NAPLES, FL – Senator Burt L. Saunders, candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, Congressional District 14, on the urging of many constituents in the district, asked opponent Congressman Connie Mack to join in a series of debates and town hall meetings to assist the voters with their decision in November.

“Our constituents want to know where we stand on the issues, and I hope you will join me in informing them of our positions so they can make the best decision in November” Senator Saunders wrote in an email to the Mack campaign. “I know from my conversations with voters that they are anxious to hear what we have to say on the issues and to see us together to assist them in their decision in November.”

“If and when any challenger to Congressman Mack – whether that is you (Senator Saunders) an Independent, Robert Neeld, a Democrat, or Jeff George, an Independent - becomes a viable opponent we will of course consider their request for a debate” responded Jeff Cohen, campaign manager for the Mack campaign.

“I have been an elected official in southwest Florida for twenty-two years. I have filed the appropriate qualifying papers with the Federal Election Commission. I have been endorsed by the local and state firefighters’ associations, the local and state AFLCIO, and the American Nurses Association. My supporters certainly consider me a viable candidate. Congressman Mack is once again out of touch with what the voters want. The voters of this district should be greatly offended at his denying them the opportunity to hear the candidates together in a debate format in order to make an informed decision in November” Senator Saunders said.

“If Congressman Mack were confident about his abilities and the decisions he has made while in Congress, he would have no problem accepting this challenge. With the amount of money Congressman Mack has raised from PACS and special interest groups, perhaps he feels there is no need to participate in standard campaign debates. Perhaps he feels he has enough money to buy votes with television ads and mailings” added Senator Saunders.

Senator Burt Saunders has served the Southwest Florida community for the past twenty-six years as the Collier County Attorney, a member of the Collier County Commission, the Florida House of Representatives and currently the Florida Senate.
 

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