My triple debate challenge to Southwest Florida

*Debates are at the heart of American democracy. Here the author addresses the Marco Island Democratic Women’s Club in May. (Photo: Author’s collection)*

Sept. 19, 2026 by David Silverberg, Democratic candidate for Florida Senate, District 28

Candidate debates have always been a pillar of American democracy.

Debates give voters the chance to examine and evaluate candidates side by side. Candidates have the chance to challenge, defend and explain their proposals, positions and records. Ever since the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858, American voters have expected—and had a right to expect—that people running to govern and represent them would present themselves for this essential evaluation.

As Southwest Florida goes into the final weeks of the 2026 election period there are no candidate debates scheduled or proposed for the many offices up for election. This is fundamentally undemocratic and voters are the losers.

Therefore, I am issuing a triple challenge:

To the media of Southwest Florida: I challenge you to organize, participate and cover candidate debates that will enlighten and inform the voters of Southwest Florida about the options before them.

To the civic organizations of Southwest Florida: I challenge you to host, conduct and promote candidate debates on a neutral, impartial and non-partisan basis, providing the dates, times, venues and rules that candidates must meet.

To my opponent in the race for the Florida Senate in District 28: I challenge you to debate the needs and issues of the district covering Collier County, Hendry County and eastern Lee County and Florida as a whole before the voters of this district.

In the past in this region, proposed debates have foundered when individual candidates deliberately avoided them. This is cowardly and anti-democratic. Today, with so much at stake, refusals are not acceptable. If one candidate in a race refuses to participate, then these debates should proceed with empty chairs. No surrogates should be allowed. Candidates must show up in person, whether these debates are covered by media or not. If they want the office, they need to do the work.

Nor should campaigns be allowed to pack debate venues or sway outcomes through rowdy or unruly crowds. Debates should be orderly, dignified and absolutely fair to all parties.

While scoring points, advancing campaigns and providing “winners” and “losers” has always been an aspect of public debates, the real purpose of a debate is to inform voters and give them the opportunity to weigh the options before them. That is what these debates should do.

In its 250-year history, rarely has democracy in the United States been under the threat it is today. This is a time of great significance—and danger. All the pillars, practices and institutions of democracy need to be strengthened and supported.

Holding fair, informative and impartial debates seems the very least that Southwest Florida can do for its residents, its voters and its future.

This message is approved by David Silverberg and the David Silverberg4Florida campaign.

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