John Joyce, Brent Ottaway to debate for Pa. 13th U.S. House seat

The contenders for Rep. Bill Shuster’s seat in Congress have scheduled three candidate forums during October.

Dr. John Joyce, the Republican nominee, and Brent Ottaway, the Democratic nominee, will square off at a paid breakfast in Bedford, at a senior living community in New Oxford and at an event hosted by a tea party group in Carlisle.

“I look forward to sharing my vision for our community with voters across PA-13,” Joyce said. “As I’ve said time and time again, I will always put the people of our community first as your Congressman.”

“I am pleased to have the opportunity,” Ottaway said. “I invited Dr. Joyce to meet with me in all 10 counties of the district in hopes of having the voters to get to know these two people.”

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Joyce’s campaign made it clear that Joyce had finalized his debate schedule.

“With a total of six debates between Dr. Joyce and his general election opponent in 2018, Dr. Joyce has been remarkably open and accessible to the voters of central Pennsylvania,” Joyce’s campaign manager, Adam Breneman, said.

Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District includes Franklin, Fulton, Adams and southern Cumberland counties. One of the most solid Republican districts in Pennsylvania, the district roughly follows the boundaries of the current 9th District represented by Shuster, R-Everett. The state Supreme Court recently redrew and renumbered the districts. 

More:Shuster-backed candidate John Joyce is likely to succeed him in Congress

More:Young voters are making Franklin County less Republican, but not more Democratic

Both candidates are political newcomers. Joyce, a Blair County dermatologist, won the eight-way GOP primary in May with 22 percent of the vote. He had Shuster's support. Ottaway, a Hollidaysburg resident and associate professor of communications at St. Francis University in Loretto, was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Tuesday, Oct. 9, is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 6 general election. 

The debate schedule

• 7:30 a.m. on Oct.12. Bedford County Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the Bedford Elks Country Club, 937 S. Richard St., Bedford. Ticket $25.
• 6 p.m. on Oct. 22. Cross Keys Village, 2990 Carlisle St., New Oxford. Unclear is the event is open to non-residents.
• 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 30. Cumberland 9/12 Patriots Forum at the Carlisle Fire & Rescue Services, 177 Carlisle Springs Road, Carlisle.

Related photos: Forum for Republican PA-13 candidates