THE BELLEAVIA CAMPAIGN ON A "DEBATE" THAT IS "BY NO MEANS FAIR"

On May 24, the Erie County Republican Women's Federation (ECRWF)
invited both Chris Collins and David Bellavia to debate in Clarence on
June 19. The event was hosted by a group controlled by Mr. Collins and
moderated by a politician who owes her career to Mr. Collins and
accepts donations from him. Audience ticketing was also completely
controlled by the Collins campaign. Subsequently, the Bellavia
campaign was advised by the non-partisan League of Women Voters of
Buffalo-Niagara that the ECRWF debate was by no means fair and no
candidate should agree to the wholly one-sided terms. Since then, the
Bellavia campaign reached out to the Collins campaign to negotiate
fair changes in the ECRWF event. The Collins campaign refused this
opportunity, choosing instead to insist upon the rules Mr. Collins
dictated. Therefore, David Bellavia declined.

In stark contrast, a fair debate on neutral territory was offered by
Time Warner Cable's news network, YNN. This debate was scheduled for
June 18 and was slated to be televised and broadcast across the entire
27th Congressional District. David Bellavia accepted this invitation;
Mr. Collins declined. Both candidates were also invited to a June 11
debate hosted by the non-partisan group Veteran Showdown. David
Bellavia accepted this invitation; Mr. Collins declined.

Both candidates attended an interview show hosted by Finger Lakes
Community College. After this taping, Mr. Collins insisted the two had
debated. However, no candidate interaction was permitted and there
were no rebuttals. Therefore, this was also not a debate as confirmed
by the League of Women Voters of Buffalo-Niagara. Even FLCC promoted
the program as interviews, NOT a debate, as noted in the group's press
release below.

David Bellavia challenged Mr. Collins to debate the issues 85 days
ago. Mr. Collins never accepted the challenge and insulted the voters
in the process. He will pay the price at the polls.