That's Debatable

Nearly 70 people attended a debate for local political candidates on Tuesday night at the Whitefish Central School.

Candidates for Senate District Two, House District Four and county commisioner all took their turns on stage for a chance to answer questions submitted by the community.

Whitefish High School debate coach Gil Jordan moderated the debate, and laid out the rules at the beginning. Candidates had two minutes to respond to questions, followed by a 90-second response from the opposing candidate, and a chance for a 30-second rebuttal.

Jordan asked that the candidates not demand promises from each other on the stage.

"We're not here to embarrass each other, we're here to share ideas," he said.

The debates went off smoothly, with little mud slinging engaged in by the candidates.

Afterwards, Whitefish resident Peter Edland said that although the debate did not change his vote, he thought it was good to know what the other candidates were like.

"It's good to have a sense of what's out there," he said.

Susan Jones, also of Whitefish, said that she was undecided before the debates. She said she took notes during the debates to help her keep track of what the candidates said.

"The debates did help me make one decision," she said.

"But I'm still thinking about the others (candidates)."