“Democracy is based on the free exchange of ideas, debating issues to find a solution reasonable people can agree upon”-Representative Frank Pallone in 2007.

Despite several requests, Rep. Pallone has still refused to accept my challenge to debates. Within the Democratic Party, we should keep our choices open & stay informed on how our elected officials stand on the key issues. I’ve challenged Rep. Pallone to six debates since March & I was told that after the 4/2 petition filing deadline, his team & myself would schedule debates. Rep. His office hasn’t reached out to me yet to confirm any debates, which leads me to believe that Rep. Pallone is a liar and a hypocrite.

Back in his failed 2013 US Senate bid, he heavily criticized then Mayor Cory Booker on skipping a debate with himself, Secretary Oliver and then Congressman Rush Holt. And now in 2018, he is refusing my challenge to debate him. His refusal to debate is a sabotage of our democracy and only shows a fear of being challenged about his stances and voting record. Not once in 25 years within CD-6 has Rep. Pallone had a Democratic challenger for the US House race, but he has now refused to even accept a challenge from a new opponent. Disregarding opposition is an example of autocracy, but our political system allows us to challenge political leaders.

Votes are more important to Rep. Pallone than explaining his positions and views on a public stage. He has repeatedly told constituents that he supports HR 676 (Medicare for All) and legalizing marijuana (HR 4815), but has not acted on co-sponsoring those bills. Facing those same constituents that were lied to about these issues is important in our democracy. Our constituents need to know that the interests of his friends at the insurance & pharmaceutical companies matter more than the people who vote for him. Keep our democracy open and accept my challenges to debate, Frank.