Mathias challenges Sente to debates in 59th district

State Rep. Sid Mathias has challenged state Rep. Carol Sente to a series of three debates between now and Oct. 22 as the two incumbents face off for the redrawn 59th House seat.

Sente said she hasn’t received the formal invitation, but was planning to call Mathias next week to wish him a Happy Jewish New Year and discuss future debate dates.

Mathias is a Buffalo Grove Republican and former Buffalo Grove mayor who has represented the 53rd District since 1999.

“It’s a new district for me and partially new for (Sente), so I think it’s very important that the residents of the district get to meet their new state representative, whoever that may be and discuss the issues in the race,” Mathias said.

Sente, a Vernon Hills Democrat, was first appointed to the 59th House seat in 2009 when Kathy Ryg resigned to take a state job. Sente was elected in her own right in 2010.

“I do think we have many issues to discuss because we are two vastly different candidates,” Sente said. “I’m looking forward to the debates.”

She added that with this unique race of two incumbents, people can also look to hers and Mathias’ voting record to find out more about their stances on issues.

Mathias said he sent a letter to Sente’s office last Friday asking for three public debates, moderated and conducted in an open Lincoln-Douglas format with each candidate addressing and questioning the other on various topics. Oct. 22 is the start of early voting for the fall election.

The redrawn 59th District includes Buffalo Grove, Green Oaks, Gurnee, Indian Creek, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Mettawa, Mundelein, Northbrook, North Chicago, Park City, Riverwoods, Vernon Hills, Waukegan and Wheeling.