The Great State Debate, an important event at the Opera House during election years since 2004, will not be held this year.

The Debate’s co-founders and organizers, Dana Dow and John VanOrsdell, have decided not to hold the debate this year since there is no Democratic candidate running for the seat in the House and the candidates running for the Senate debated each other in 2012.

In the absence of the Great State Debate this year, the co-founders urge you on your own to learn as much as possible about the views and records of this year’s candidates so you may make an informed choice when you vote and so help elect the most qualified individuals to represent us in Augusta for the next two years.

Dana and John deeply appreciate the past support of the community and the coverage provided by BRCTV (Channel 7), and they assure you they will do all in their power to resume the important tradition of the Great State Debate in 2016.