Local Robertson Supporters Protest Reed for Not Agreeing to Televised Debate

The 2014 candidates for 23rd Congressional District of New York: Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) and challenger Martha Robertson (D-Ithaca).

JAMESTOWN – A group of Martha Robertson supporters were in downtown Jamestown Tuesday protesting outside of the Congressman Tom Reed’s campaign headquarters.

The protest was organized by local resident Cath Kestler, who was disappointed with Reed’s failure to agree to a public debate in the region – including a televised debate that would have been featured on WGRZ TV.

Robertson’s supporters are upset that Reed has declined to do a televised debate in three westernmost counties of the district, where 40 percent of the population is located. The 23^rd congressional district stretches as far east as the Ithaca area and contains a total of 11 counties.

Reed has agreed to two local debates – both of which will take place in the office of local newspapers (Post-Journal and Olean Times Herald), to be conducted by editorial staff of the papers, and closed to the public – although the debates will be published in the respective papers. Reed’s campaign has also agree to a televised debate, which will only air in the Elmira area of the 23^rd Congressional District.