Candidates' Possible Virus Exposure Moves Fairfield Debate Online

FAIRFIELD, CT — A debate for Fairfield’s state legislative contenders was postponed at the last minute after candidates were potentially exposed to the coronavirus.

Originally scheduled to be filmed Friday afternoon with no audience at the Fairfield Museum, the League of Women Voters of Fairfield moved the debate online and pushed it to Monday after two candidates were possibly exposed to someone who tested positive for the virus, according to League Co-President Bryce Perry.

In a message mid-day Friday, the Fairfield Republican Town Committee said a campaign staffer had tested positive, but contact tracing determined no candidates would be required to quarantine.

“We have had consultations with town and public health officials, and out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of public health, we have asked that the League of Women Voters of Fairfield candidate forum be rescheduled to an online virtual forum,” the message said.

The committee’s message referenced Fairfield’s placement Thursday on Connecticut’s “red alert” list for coronavirus infections. The “red alert” designation applies to municipalities with a two-week average daily case rate above 15 cases per 100,000 people.

The message also said Carla Volpe, the Democrat state representative candidate for the 134th District, was ill. Fairfield Democratic Town Committee Chairman Steven Sheinberg said Volpe was not ill, but had come into contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus. Volpe tested negative for the virus, is quarantining until Thursday in accordance with state guidelines, and will participate in Monday’s online debate, according to Sheinberg.

“Our candidates were all prepared & eager to debate (Friday), so were disappointed by the last minute cancellation of the in-person event,” Sheinberg said in an email. “We are glad that a virtual event was quickly arranged for this Monday.”

Monday’s debate will take place 5 p.m. on StreamYard, according to Perry. The event was originally scheduled to broadcast 7 p.m. Monday on FairTV, but Perry said Friday that after the changes to the date and format, the debate will likely run later in the week on the public access channels. The League will post a link to the video on its Facebook page about 8 p.m. Monday for residents who want to view the debate Monday, she said.

For information on when the debate will be broadcast on FairTV, visit www.fairfieldct.org/fairtv/schedule.