Katie Wilson, Emily Martz, Patrick Nelson, Tedra Cobb and Dylan Ratigan and Green Party candidate, Dr. Lynn Kahn met in Lowville Saturday in an event sponsored by Indivisible Lowville. Stefanik declined to participate.

Indivisible Lowville co-leader Lee M. Vance said the purpose of the debate was to “spread awareness about the candidates” and “to get people involved in politics.”

In the opening remarks, Wilson described herself as a single mother and business owner.

“We need more on-the-ground people in Congress – I’m like you. I’m an advocate for you,” she said. Adding in her closing statement, “It’s about working people — you and I. We need new leadership not lip service. I’ll advocate for you. I face the same challenges.”

Candidate Patrick Nelson speaks during Indivisible Lowville’s 21st Congressional District candidate debate on Saturday at Lowville Academy. (Photo provided — Daytona Niles, Watertown Daily Times)

Martz said in her opening remarks, “this race is about experience.” Since 2014, she has been the operations and finance director for the Adirondack North Country Association. She touted her business experience in helping to create jobs.

“I was taught to work hard and to help others along the way,” said Martz.

Nelson said in his 28 years he has held a lot of jobs from working in retail and telemarketing to owning his own business and volunteering in a political campaign.

“I am fully in touch with people,” he said “I can bring that experience to Congress.”

In his closing statement, Nelson said although people are taught to expect less, to be realistic and that some things are not feasible, history has told us things are possible such as space travel. Thus he believes such things as universal healthcare and renewable energy are within reach.

Cobb said as a St. Lawrence County Legislator she “worked across the aisle” to get legislation passed. She owns two businesses – a community health agency and Tedra Cobb & Associates, which assists businesses and organizations with problem solving.

“The best predictor of the future is past experience,” said Cobb in her closing remarks. “I live my life with integrity. Who I am today will be who I am if elected.”

A Saranac Lake native, Ratigan said he left his position as business journalist on CNBC during the financial crisis in 2009.

“That showed me how broke the government actually is,” said Ratigan. “I want to reform the broken political system.”

Since that time he has worked as a political reformer through a show on MSNBC and wrote a Times best-selling book on solutions to broken politics.

The Green Party candidate Dr. Kahn explained she would not be on the primary ballot but would be running against the primary winner and the incumbent on the November ballot.

The Bronx native said she grew up poor so she “gets poverty” and is “sensitive to when decisions don’t take into consideration economic status.”

As an organizational psychologist and strategic planning consultant, she said she know how things work and how they can work better, In closing she urged, “send a Green to Congress.”

Moderated by former WWNY-TV news anchor Brian Ashley, the debate included questions from the host organization’s members and from the audience. Debaters were asked individual questions but were also each given two wild cards in order to chime in on another’s question.

School teacher Laura Porter asked Cobb the question which sparked the most responses with the debaters using their wild cards on the topic of how to induce young adults to remain in the north country.

Cobb she replied there was a need to “unify resources in the community partnering high schools with BOCES and universities.”

She related a story of a young woman who utilized advanced courses in pursuit of a career in healthcare.

“The goal is to expand and connect opportunities in the district,” she said.

Wilson noted “actionable items” such as cellphone service, broadband and public transportation were needed to give the opportunities to achieve.

“They leave the area because they can get the services elsewhere,” she said.

Martz said there was a need to invest in programs to take advantage of local resources, citing a course in solar technology taught at BOCES.

Nelson pointed to helping to alleviate student debt as a way to retain young people in the area.

Herii and Stephen Swike of Carthage said they came to the debate because they have been following Cobb.

“It was good to hear the other voices,” said Mrs. Swike. “I have to ask more questions before I make up my mind.”

She said she wanted to know more about supporting the elderly and military spending.

Swike expressed concerns about military spending and bases in foreign countries.

“We don’t rule the world,” he said. “We need to bring them home.”

Anna Platz of Lowville and her father Paul, who are both members of Indivisible Lowville, said they were pleased with the debate.

“I appreciate seeing them in this environment,” said Platz. She noted being questioned on the spot, the candidates gave more “genuine responses” — “gut feelings.”

“I wish more people had come,” said Platz. There were about 75 in the audience.

They also commented on their disappointment of the absence of Congresswoman Stefanik, “We (Indivisible Lowville) are in a bubble of shared values,” said Platz. “It would have been good to compare to someone who has different values.”

“There should have been an empty chair up there (on stage),” said Platz.

Carrying out support signs for Tedra Cobb, Warren L. and Eleanor S. Allen of Watertown expressed appreciation to the organizers of the event and disappointment in the absence of the congresswoman.

“Elise Stefanik is of good quality but not strong enough for what we need to deal with under this president,” said Allen.

“Whoever wins the primary will have my support,” said Allen. “They are all good candidates to have a good chance against Elise. Her not being here shows she does not care what local people think as long as she gets her financial support from out of state sources.”