To the Editor:

I recently attended a local meeting with Dennis Anderson, Democratic candidate for Illinois’ 14th Congressional District. I was very impressed with Anderson and his understanding of issues facing area residents.

I was appalled to learn that his opponent, incumbent Randy Hultgren, a Republican with tea party leanings, has ignored invitations to publicly debate Anderson. I was hopeful that Hultgren would sit side by side with Anderson to allow area voters the opportunity to compare their respective views in a live, interactive format.