Gazette - Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007

Political Notes:
Another debate on the way

While Democratic candidates for Maryland’s Fourth Congressional District will square off before the League of Women Voters in Montgomery County on Jan. 3, another Prince George’s group is planning to get in the final words before the Feb. 12 primary election.

People For Change, a political action group formed in the run-up to the 2006 election, has scheduled a Jan. 8 question-and-answer debate in Temple Hills on Jan.8.

Organizer Sandra Pruitt said the group is trying to shake things up.

‘‘People want a real debate, where the people from the floor get to ask the questions,” said Pruitt, spokeswoman for the event.

In addition to the traditional prepared questions format, Pruitt said the group plans to host a meet-the-candidates reception 30 minutes before.

But audience members probably won’t see the complete slate of six Democratic candidates vying for the party nomination.

Fort Washington activist Donna Edwards, who narrowly lost to incumbent Congressman Albert R. Wynn in the 2006 primary, has declined to attend, Pruitt said. Officials for Edwards said the candidate previously had scheduled a campaign event for the night.

‘‘She’s still welcome to come,” Pruitt said.

In addition to Wynn (D) of Mitchellville, Democratic challengers Michael Babula of Montgomery Village, Jason Jennings of Silver Spring, George McDermott of Forest Heights and George Mitchell of Temple Hills are expected to attend.

Dist. 4 covers parts of Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.

Republicans Robert Broadus of Clinton, Pater James of Germantown, Vincent Martorano of Jessup and Michael Moshe Starkman of Rockville are vying for the GOP primary nod.

The People For Change forum will begin at 7 p.m. Jan. 8 at St. Stephens Baptist Church in Temple Hills.