Fitzpatrick, Finello To Debate In Bucks Congress Race

BRISTOL, PA — The candidates for Pennsylvania's First Congressional District, which represents Bucks County, have scheduled their first debate.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, the incumbent Republican, and Democratic challenger Christina Finello will debate at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at Bucks County Community College's Epstein Campus in Bristol Township.

The event will not allow a live crowd due to coronavirus concerns, but it will be live-streamed online by three different outlets.

Fitzpatrick and Finello will take questions from moderator William Pezza, a political science and American government faculty member at BCCC. Each will make opening and closing statements and have time for rebuttal.

The public can watch the debate live via websites for the Pennsylvania Cable Network, WBCB-1490 AM and the Bucks County Courier-Times.

The race is being closely watched as an opportunity for Democrats to pick up a Republican seat in Congress. Polls shortly after this summer's primaries showed Fitzpatrick and Finello virtually tied, although more recent polling has shown the incumbent — who has a healthy fundraising advantage — with double-digit leads.

A Democratic surge in Bucks County during recent elections has given the party hope that Fitzpatrick can be unseated. While polls show former Vice President Joe Biden outpacing President Donald Trump in the district, Fitzpatrick has run on a record of being an independent voice who sometimes sides with Democrats.