Debate Not Likely Between Moorestown Council Candidates

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown Councilman Quinton Law expressed disappointment on Wednesday that Republican challenger Vick Bobadilla won’t participate in a debate ahead of the Nov. 2 elections.

“We believe it’s vital for Moorestown to have a chance to hear the candidates debate,” Moorestown Democratic Party Chair Kate Wilson said in a statement from Law’s campaign. “We have two candidates who have both said they want to run on the issues and avoid negative personal campaigning, which is fantastic - we all have to live together in this town. Given this, it is even more disappointing that the Republican candidate and his team have declined the opportunity to be part of this important issues-based discussion.”

But with a little more than a month before the elections, Bobadilla's campaign said it is looking for new ways to reach voters. They also said Law has known that the two won’t be debating since Aug. 13, when Republican Party Chair Doug Maute wrote to Wilson:

“Less than a year ago, over 6,500 Moorestonians voted for Vick Bobadilla for Town Council. Vick is the same Vick today as he was last year when he participated in the debate. The concerns of Vick and his supporters remain unchanged and remain unremedied by the current one-party Town Council. Given this, Vick’s campaign will be focused on reaching voters in new ways, instead of repeating his platform at another debate. Vick’s opponent, as an appointee to Town Council, has an ongoing opportunity to speak publicly through his vote and priorities.”

Maute went on to tell Patch, “Vick Bobadilla has attended countless community events and knocked on thousands of doors. Any group interested in inviting Vick to its event can contact his campaign at voteforvick@gmail.com.”

In the release, Law’s campaign referenced the 2020 candidates’ forum in which Bobadilla participated, stating that more than 1,000 people watched it, “indicating that this format is an important platform for Moorestonians to be able to see the different perspectives candidates have on key township issues.”

“It’s not too late for this event to happen this year,” Wilson said. “We’ve reached out to potential hosts and moderating groups that are run by local Republicans and Democrats, and they were willing to help make this a reality.”

“I believe this is a chance to show that here in Moorestown, Democrats and Republicans can sit down and respectfully debate the issues affecting our community,” Law said.

Law was appointed to an open seat on Moorestown Council in January, one month after Brian Donnelly resigned. The remainder of the term will be decided by the voters in a special election on Nov. 2. Read more here: Moorestown's First Black Council Member Sworn In By Cory Booker

In March, the Moorestown Republican Municipal Committee unanimously endorsed Bobadilla in his bid for the seat that became vacant in December. Bobadilla was among the Republicans who were energized by Jack Ciattarelli’s announcement that Moorestown native Diane Allen would be his running mate in this year’s gubernatorial election. Read more here: Moorestown Republicans Look For Boost From Allen Nomination

Law said he will take questions from voters during a Zoom webinar event from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 20. It will stream live on Facebook, and Moorestown residents will be invited to dial-in to ask Law questions.

Read more about Law’s campaign here. See related: Meet The Moorestown Council Candidate: Quinton Law

Read more about Bobadilla’s campaign here. See related: Meet The Moorestown Council Candidate: Vick Bobadilla