Treadwell Calls for Candidate Forums in All 10 Counties of the 20th CD

Former New York Secretary of State Sandy Treadwell, Republican, Independence and Conservative Party candidate for the 20^th Congressional District, today called for a series of public forums to be held in all 10 counties of the district to give voters a clear view of where the two candidates stand on the issues.

"People across the district deserve the opportunity to hear the views of the candidates standing side by side," Treadwell said. "Town hall forums will give voters the chance to ask questions of the candidates and will put the focus directly on the issues, which is what this race is about. On any number of issues such as taxes, drilling or homeland security there are real and important differences between the policies I will fight for in Congress and those of my opponent. I invite Congresswoman Gillibrand to participate in public forums in the 10 counties so that all voters in the 20^th CD can make an informed choice on Election Day."

Treadwell announced that he has accepted an invitation to a debate on Thursday, October 23, 2008, to be sponsored by WMHT and the Times Union. This debate will be held at WMHT studios from 9 p.m. - 10 p.m. and will be broadcast live.

In 2006, Kirsten Gillibrand publicly called for debates in all 10 counties and has promoted her own Town Hall meetings in the district.

"I expect to have informative, issue-oriented forums that cover a wide range of topics people are interested in, including high energy costs and taxes," Treadwell said. "By attending these forums people can get to know each candidate a little better and get answers firsthand."

The 20^th Congressional District stretches from the Adirondacks in the north down through the Hudson Valley and from the Massachusetts border though the Catskills west to Broome County. The district includes all or part of 10 counties: Saratoga, Dutchess, Columbia, Rensselaer, Warren, Washington, Essex, Greene, Delaware and Otsego.

-30-