While the general municipal election isn’t until November, Republicans are going to the polls at little sooner this year. On Tuesday, Sept. 12, voters can chose between candidates Bob Hartmann, Jr., and Ken MacKenzie to see who will lead the Republican ticket when they face the Democrat first selectman candidate Matt Hoey later this fall.

The primary became a reality after Hartmann won the Republican Town Committee (RTC) caucus nomination by a slim margin. MacKenzie then collected the necessary number of signatures from registered voters to force a primary.

Now in the thick of campaigning, a recent controversy over potential debates between the two Republican candidates has broken out. RTC Chair Gloria Nemczuk said two parties approached her and both candidates about the debate, but she said she asked each candidate not to debate for the sake of party unity.

Hartmann and his team said in a press release that they have agreed with Nemczuk and have declined any debates with the petitioning candidate [MacKenzie]. However, MacKenzie, via posts on Facebook and public comments, is still calling for a debate, saying that a debate offers voters a chance to hear more from the candidates.

The Courier recently sat down with both candidates individually to discuss their platforms and positions before voters go to the polls on Sept. 12.