By Ryan Miner
The Garrett County Republican Central Committee is hosting a congressional debate this Saturday, April 2, for the eight Republican candidates running for Maryland’s 6th Congressional District.
The Republican debate will be held in the Garrett College Continuing Education Building, Room 205, on the McHenry campus.
Coffee and donuts will be provided at 10:00 a.m. The debate will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. and will last until 12:30 p.m.
Garrett County Republican Central Committee members Mrs. Ruth Umbel and Dr. Thomas Sheahen will moderate the two-hour debate.
The debate will be divided up into areas relating to foreign and domestic policy, with emphasis on the economy, jobs, and infrastructure. Dr. Sheahen will moderate questions about the economy while Mrs. Umbel will moderate questions relating to domestic issues. As in previous debates, candidates will be given the opportunity to make opening and closing statements. The moderators may ask questions that require only a “yes” or “no” response, as occurred in previous debates.
The candidates must follow the rules issued by the debate moderators. I assume candidates will not be permitted to stand while making statements or answering questions. I’ve been told that no candidate will be permitted to make personal attacks on fellow candidates or members of the audience.
Audience members will have the opportunity to submit questions; index cards will be distributed to the audience before the debate begins.
The debate has been advertised in local newspapers and on certain local radio stations in Garrett County. Mrs. Umbel also mailed personal letters to Republicans with invitations to attend the debate.
A Miner Detail will be covering the Republican debate with video and audio to follow.
