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Eric Lynn accepts Ben Diamond’s challenge to debates in HD 68 Dem race

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

UPDATE:

As we reported last week while observing state House District 68 candidates Eric Lynn and Ben Diamond at the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club, there doesn’t appear initially to be too much that separates the two St. Petersburg Democrats.

With less than 60 days before voters in Pinellas County will go to the polls, Diamond is now calling for a number of political debates to give the voters a better look at who the two candidates are, and what they believe.

Diamond sent a letter to Lynn on Wednesday, recommending they work with various groups to host a series of five to seven debates.

Lynn told SPB Wednesday afternoon that he looks forward to debating Diamond.

“I have let Ben know that I’m happy to work with his campaign to have debates that work in our schedules over the next few weeks and I suggested the Pinellas League of Women Voters,” Lynn said. “We probably don’t need to spend more time speaking with each other than speaking directly with voters, but I agree that a couple more debates would make sense.”

The two are battling it out for the seat currently held by Dwight Dudley, who surprised onlookers earlier this year by announcing that he would run for re-election to the seat, but will instead stay closer to home by attempting to win a judicial position in Pinellas-Pasco County.

The winner of the Aug. 30 Democratic primary will face Republican JB Bensmihen.

 

Mitch Perry has been a reporter with Extensive Enterprises since November of 2014. Previously, he served as five years as the political editor of the alternative newsweekly Creative Loafing. He also was the assistant news director with WMNF 88.5 FM in Tampa from 2000-2009, and currently hosts MidPoint, a weekly talk show, on WMNF on Thursday afternoons. He began his reporting career at KPFA radio in Berkeley. He's a San Francisco native who has now lived in Tampa for 15 years and can be reached at [email protected]

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