WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |Claitor declines all debates in State Senate race

Claitor declines all debates in State Senate race

By:  Robb Hays email

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Dan Claitor, a candidate in the runoff election for State Senate District 16, says he will not participate in any political debates between him and his opponent.

Claitor and his opponent, Lee Domingue, were invited to a debate later this month sponsored by the League of Women Voters. Domingue said yes. Claitor turned it down.

Thursday, both candidates were set to take part in an event sponsored by the Jeffersonians.

Claitor campaign spokesman Roy Fletcher say they were initially told the event was just a "meet and greet" and cancelled once they found out it was a debate.

Alex Valasquez, a member of The Jeffersonians, says that's not true.  He says it was clear from the start that both men were to take part in a debate of which Valasquez would serve as moderator.

Valasquez says The Jeffersonians will go ahead with their "debate" at noon Thursday at Drusilla's Seafood.   He said Lee Domingue will be in attendance, and an empty chair will be placed next to Domingue, signifying the absence of Claitor.

"The people of our district deserve better than they're getting from their politicians, and Mr. Claitor's refusal to debate is just one reason voters are fed up with politics," Domingue said Wednesday in a press release entitled "Dan is Dodging".

The seat was left open when former State Senator Bill Cassidy was elected to Congress.

The election is April 4.