Dear Editor,

Franklin Roosevelt said, “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.”

One way that voters become educated about candidates’ positions is through debates. In this important midterm election year, several local organizations and groups have attempted to provide debate opportunities to the candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives 2nd District seat, which covers Boyle, Garrard, Mercer and part of Jessamine counties.

So far, KET (the public television station for our area) has offered an Oct. 1 date for a debate. The Women’s Network, the Boyle County chapter of a national organization, has offered Oct. 9 for a debate and Mercer County has offered Oct. 23 for a debate.

Democratic candidate Hank Linderman has accepted the invitations to debate. As of the writing of this letter, our current representative, incumbent Brett Guthrie, has not accepted any of the invitations to debate. 

Please call Rep. Guthrie and tell him that you want to be an educated voter and would appreciate his participation in these debates. His phone number in DC is (202) 225-3501 and his number in Bowling Green is (270) 842-9896.

Make your voice heard and remember to vote on Nov. 6.

Julie Pease

Danville