LWV debate scheduled in LD1

Candidates for the State Senate and Assembly in the first legislative district have agreed to a debate hosted by the League of Women Voters.

State Sen. Bob Andrzejczak and his Republican challenger, Cumberland County Chairman Michael Testa, are set to debate on Oct. 28, a week before the year’s election.

They’ll be joined by their Assembly running mates — Assemblymen Matt Milan and Bruce Land for Andrzejczak and Ocean City Councilman Antwan McClellan and Lower Township Mayor Erik Simonsen for Testa.

The district’s debate schedule has been a point of contention for the district’s candidates.

Testa and his running mates have repeatedly claimed incumbents were dodging a debate moderated by conservative radio host Harry Hurley, while Democrats said their challengers were dodging a debate scheduled by the league.

The event will take place between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Oct. 28 at Old Historic Court House Building in Cape May Court House.

The exact format for the event is not clear. The LWV has alternatively described it as a candidate forum and as a debate. It’s also unclear whether the district’s Senate and Assembly candidates will appear on stage at the same time.

The league is accepting voter-submitted questions. Those may be submitted via the contact form on the Cape May County LWV website.