Newport's House Dist. 75 Debate is On After All

NEWPORT, RI—There will be a debate between the two candidates for Rhode Island House Dist. 75 after all.

On Monday morning, Democrat and incumbent Lauren Carson issued a press release scolding her Independent opponent Mike Smith for not agreeing to participate in a debate planned by the League of Women Voters.

She said that his refusal to debate was a disservice to voters, saying he "likes to engage in one-sided rhetoric but won't debate the issues."

Later on Monday, Smith fired back with his own release saying he did not refuse to debate. In fact, he said, "I am actually quite excited about the prospect of being able to debate my opponent on the issues, and even more important, on her dismal voting record."

Smith said he responded to the Newport County League of Women Voters' invitation right away but somehow they didn't get the response. But it has all been resolved this morning, he said, and the debate is on.

Both candidates are knocking on doors and campaigning hard in the run-up to the November election. Carson, who unseated longtime Democrat Rep. Peter Martin in the 2014 primary to claim the seat, said that she has been knocking on doors since July and "voters are so glad to see that I am in their neighborhood, talking to them about the issues that matter to them."

Smith has been walking the district as well. During his campaign, he's characterized Carson as "anti-taxpayer, pro special interest" based on her voting record. In his release, he chided Carson for "going public with a false accusation" and "not doing her homework."

Carson, during her term, has served on committees focusing on the state's tourism economy and the impact of sea level rise on coastal communities, both of which are pivotal issues for Newport.