Can we finally debate?

With this year’s campaign in full swing and the stage set for November’s general election, it’s time to turn to that age-old event that is so important to voters to get a better understanding of where candidates stand on important issues of the day — the debate. This year in particular there has been an extraordinary amount of focus on debates between candidates, especially at the presidential level, and the role they play in vetting those who aspire to represent us in government.

At the federal level, the nominees for U.S. Senate from Montana debated each other just days after they each won their party’s primary election. They will participate in more debates as the general election draws near. Similarly, and with great fanfare, the nation recently witnessed the first presidential debate of this campaign cycle. So impactful was this debate that pundits across the political spectrum are in agreement that it contributed to the recent decision by President Biden to abandon his re-election bid following a sub-par performance.

Americans have always relied on debates to help determine what candidate will most ably represent their interests in the halls of government, be it at the national, state or local level. There are storied examples of debates long ago we still discuss — the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 and the Kennedy-Nixon debates of 1960 are two great examples. The bottom line is we want to know where our candidates stand on the important issues of the day. The best way to do that is through a structured dialogue between candidates focused on the legitimate policy differences they may have without all the trappings that typically accompany campaigns, including paid advertising and 30-second sound bites.

In early May of this year, over two months ago, I extended an offer to debate to my opponent in the election to represent Havre and Hill County in the Montana House of Representatives. In fact, I proposed a series of debates hosted by a nonpartisan, impartial sponsor. I think the residents of House District 27 deserve to know where we stand on critical issues like making property taxes affordable for homeowners and small businesses; rehabilitating our aging infrastructure; supporting law enforcement; keeping rural hospitals and health clinics open; assuring access to public lands; and investing in tomorrow’s workforce through our public education system and MSU-Northern.

I haven’t heard back.

While unfortunate, it’s perhaps not surprising, as the one and only debate scheduled two years ago between myself and my opponent (the same opponent as this year) ended up being a monologue, as my opponent was a no-show. This was a significant disservice to the residents of Havre and Hill County as they were deciding who to support in the general election.

So here we are again – the same individuals running for the privilege to serve our area in the Montana Legislature. I am hopeful the residents of House District 27 this year will have the opportunity to hear from both of us this time around and to more fully understand our competing visions for the future of our state.

Let’s debate!

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Democrat Rep. Paul Tuss currently represents Havre and parts of Hill County in the Montana House of Representatives and is running for re-election.