DeWeese calls for more debates

WAYNESBURG, October 14, 2008 - It has become clear that Republican Greg Hopkins is avoiding debates with Democrat House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese after a shoddy showing at an editorial board interview hosted by the Uniontown Herald Standard on September 30th.

Both candidates were invited to participate in a debate on October 2 at Waynesburg University, a debate with the League of Women Voters on October 14, and also a debate at Waynesburg High School. However, Hopkins, a former arena football coach, refuses to join DeWeese in the debating arena.

"I‘m not surprised that Hopkins is avoiding debating me again. At the Herald-Standard forum, it was clear to me and I think most everyone in attendance that his grasp of the issues was limited," said Bill DeWeese, "It doesn't surprise me one bit that he is avoiding the opportunity for debate."

Greg Leathers, Chairman of the Greene County Democratic Party, stated "I question Mr. Hopkins' commitment to our community. He won't debate and share his views publicly, hasn't voted in 11 elections, and doesn't bother to show up for his current taxpayer funded job as a Morris Township Auditor. How is he ready to be our State Representative?"

Bill DeWeese is committed to doing debates that will educate the voters of the 50th District before the November 4th General Election. "This is an important election year," said DeWeese, "the people of the 50th District deserve to hear as much from the candidates as possible."

For more information, please visit www.billdeweese.com, where you can find a link to download a video of the Herald-Standard debate.