storyhill.net, Aug. 23, 2006

Reynolds bails on tonight's debate; Sullivan doesn't

Aug. 23 - State Sen. Tom Reynolds backed out of a debate scheduled for Wednesday, but Democratic challenger Jim Sullivan will participate in the event, Sullivan's campaign manager said.

Reynolds bailed because organizers would not ban non-media video cameras.

"Is Reynolds trying to hide from his extremism and his public record?" Sullivan campaign manager Lewis Rosser asked during an interview.

Reynolds, a West Allis Republican, backed out of the long-scheduled forum on Tuesday, after learning that non-media news cameras might be allowed, according to wispolitics.com

"I was trying to kind of clean up these debates and not have these groups filming their attack ads there," he said.

Organizers refused to give in to Reynolds' demand for a last-minute change in the debate rules.

"They're public officials -- video cameras would be appropriate," Rosser said.

Sullivan, a Wauwatosa alderman, lawyer, and Navy Reserves officer, welcomes video cameras, Rosser said.

Reynolds this week said directed that discredited allegations about Sullivan be sent to JJ Blonien, a Reynolds campaign consultant and Senate staffer. Backing out of the debate means that Reynolds won't have to answer questions about the incident.

Sullivan and Reynolds are vying for the 5th District Senate seat. That district includes Story Hill.

The forum will be at 7 p.m. tonight at the Unitarian Universalist Church West, 13001 W. North Ave, Brookfield.

Reynolds previously ran afoul of rules allowing video camera use at the Wauwatosa Public Library.