League of Woman Voters refuses a Higgins-Weppner Debate

Kathy Weppner with Chumung County Sheriff Chris Moss, the Republican candidate for Lt. Governor; and Erie County Sheriff Timothy Howard; at the Police and Judges Conference of Erie County.

Woman make up greater than 50% of the US population. The House of Representatives has fewer than 1 in 5 members that are female.

One would expect that the League of Woman Voters whose mission is to empower and support opportunity for woman to engage in our government would seek to change this ratio by supporting female candidates running for congress.

The LWV has scheduled debates in the Buffalo Niagara Region that in the past would include congressional candidates. The last congressional debate here hosted by the LWV was between two male candidates Higgins and Roberto.

Just last night the LWV hosted the all-male gubernatorial debates in Buffalo.

By their own definition: The League of Women Voters (LWV) is an American civic organization that was formed to help women take a larger role in public affairs as they won the right to vote.

October 18, 2013 on the steps of Jackman Hall at Norwich University, Meaghan Ann Weppner (center) was commissioned as 2nd Lt United States Marine Corps, pictured with her mother, the Republican Party's nominee for Congress in New York's 26th district. — October 18, 2013 on the steps of Jackman Hall at Norwich University, Meaghan Ann Weppner (center) was commissioned as 2nd Lt United States Marine Corps, pictured with her mother, the Republican Party’s nominee for Congress in New York’s 26th district.

According to their own webpage, voter education is a key part of the LWV mission, and they emphasize that the entire House of Representatives is up for election. Debates are one of the means by which the LWV educates voters on these candidates.Congressional District 26 male candidate Brian Higgins has a strong desire to not engage in debates against his formidable female challenger Kathy Weppner.

Many believe a CD26 debate would receive the most media attention in this region. A debate between these two candidates would answer the question of whether Higgins could stand up to a strong female opponent – most believe he would not. Perhaps this is what drives Higgins’ fears.

The LWV has been contacted multiple times since October 13^th for comment and to date they have refused to comment. No reason has been provided for their omitting debates between these two candidates but it is well known that Brian Higgins is pleased by their support.

The LWV is not allowing an equal opportunity to Female candidate Kathy Weppner to present her ideas to the public during the scheduled LWV debates.

If this omission bothers you, call or e-mail the LWV: 884-3550; lwvbn@lwvbn.org.