New England College Hosts Gubernatorial Debate
The Center for Civic Engagement at New England College hosted a gubernatorial debate on October 4 with candidates Maggie Hassan and Ovide Lamontagne.
Media partners for the debate included the Concord Monitor, the New Hampshire Business Review, the Nashua Telegraph, WGIR, and Comcast Cable. The debates were broadcast live on WGIR and live to tape via Comcast Cable and NECN. Seating for the debates was open to the public on a limited first-come, first-served basis.
“We are honored to host a debate on the major issues facing New Hampshire,” said Michele Perkins, President of New England College. “Our media partners are already hard at work developing questions designed to help voters make the most informed decisions possible this November.”
The debate featured questions from the media panel, and opportunities for the candidates to rebut one another on fine points of issues ranging from budgets and taxes to education and health care. Recent polls have repeatedly shown the 2012 race for Governor is very competitive, with both candidates running within a few points of one another.
“Our students and faculty greatly value the opportunity to view a meaningful exchange of ideas between these two fine candidates,” explains Dr. Wayne Lesperance, Professor of Political Science at NEC. “This is truly a teachable moment; and a great example of representative democracy and free speech on full display in Henniker.”
Ovide Lamontagne is a fourth generation New Hampshire resident. He is a former chairman of the New Hampshire Board of education and a well-respected attorney with a long resume of service to the non-profit community. He is the Republican nominee in the state’s race for Governor.
Maggie Hassan is former majority leader in the New Hampshire Senate, where she served three terms in office. Her public service began in 1999 when she was appointed by Governor Jeanne Shaheen to serve on the Adequacy in Education and Financing Commission. Maggie is also a well-respected attorney and is the Democratic nominee for Governor.
New England College in Henniker, New Hampshire provides an open venue for political candidates wishing to address Town Hall style gatherings or moderated debates. New England College is a regular stop for presidential candidates during the First in the Nation Primary. The Center for Civic Engagement at NEC was also the lead organizer for College Convention held during the 2004, 2008, and 2012 presidential election cycles. During the 2008 and 2010 election cycles, the Center for Civic Engagement hosted numerous debates for statewide and federal offices.
For more information, please contact Dr. Wayne Lesperance, Professor of Political Science, at wlesperance@nec.edu. Dr. Lesperance is a frequent contributor to the dialog on public policy, the political process, and emerging trends in politics.
