Hudson County 7th District freeholder candidate Caridad Rodriguez, a West New York commissioner, has turned down an offer to have a public debate with her opponent in the 7th District election, Freeholder Chairman Jose Munoz.
“I respectfully request your acceptance and availability of my offer to participate in a public debate,” Munoz wrote in a letter to Rodriguez dated May 5. “I believe such a public forum would be extremely advantageous to the voters, enabling them the opportunity to better evaluate our positions as it pertains to their specific needs and interests.”
In the the letter, Munoz writes that he has received interest from the League of Women Voters to serve as the moderator to “assure fairness.” He also asked that the two candidates split the cost of the debate and asked Rodriguez to discuss setting a date, time, and location, as well as governing guidelines.
Yesterday, West New York spokesman Pablo Fonseca said Rodriguez is focusing on issues that impact 7th District residents and is not interested in a debate with the incumbent.
“Commissioner Caridad Rodriguez’s priority is to share her vision and give voice to the issues impacting them,” Fonseca said. “The only forum that she will engage in is with the voters each time Commissioner Rodriguez discusses her plan to put county services and resources to work for each of the communities that she will proudly represent as Hudson County Freeholder.”
Meanwhile, Munoz reacted to the news that Rodriguez will not debate him.
“This is clear proof that she is relying solely on the power of the political machine,” Munoz said. “By not debating, she has demonstrated her lack of knowledge and complete disregard for the voters and their concerns. I believe the voters can now see her for what she is by hiding behind her handlers.”
Rodriguez worked in the mayor’s office during the 12 years that U.S. Rep. Albio Sires was mayor of West New York. She was involved in the West New York community as coordinator for the Municipal Alliance Committee against Drugs and Alcohol, where she served for eight years.
She was also a member of the West New York Planning Board for six years and served on the Board of Adjustments for three years.
Munoz has been a freeholder representing West New York, Weehawken and Guttenberg since 2007, when he was elected to fill a vacant seat. He was re-elected in 2008 and again in 2011, with the support of the Hudson County Democratic Organization.
The Democratic primary is set for June 3.