Blair to host congressional candidates' debate

A debate between incumbent United States Congressman Al Wynn and his challengers Donna Edwards, George McDermott and George Mitchell will be held in the Blair SAC at 7:30 p.m. this Thursday. The candidates are running for the Democratic nomination to the House of Representatives for Maryland's 4th Congressional District, which includes areas of Silver Spring, Takoma Park and Prince George's County.

Bruce DePuyt, host of NewsChannel Eight's local news program "NewsTalk," will moderate the debate, which is expected to last from one to one-and-a-half hours. The Greater Silver Spring Democratic Club (GSSDC) is hosting the event and will cover all costs, making entrance to the debate free.

The candidates have agreed to participate in the debate partially because in the 2006 election, Wynn defeated Edwards 49.7 percent to 46.4 percent, which amounts to a difference of little more than 2,000 votes out of a total 82,000 votes cast, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections. "The candidates are looking for supporters and because of the closeness of the last election, the Congressman [Wynn] has agreed to such forums," GSSDC Chairman Mark Woodard said.

Anyone can submit questions to either the GSSDC or DePuyt before the debate or ask questions during the debate. The GSSDC will screen and sort questions received before the debate and give them to DePuyt, who will select the questions asked during Thursday's debate, according to Woodard. "Our goal is that representative questions will be asked by Bruce DePuyt, our moderator, based on questions from the audience and those submitted beforehand," Woodard said.

Wynn has served Maryland's 4th Congressional District since 1992, according to his official House of Representatives web site.

The Democratic Primary Election will be held on Feb. 12, 2008.