Smith County party leaders share their expectations ahead of first presidential debate

SMITH COUNTY, Texas ( KETK ) – Ahead of Thursday night’s first presidential debate, Smith County’s party chairs shared their expectations of the anticipated showdown.

Compared to years past, there will be no audience and mics will be muted to eliminate cross talks.

Smith County Democratic Party Chair Hector Garza believes the new rules are a good move.

“I think it’s going to help both candidates because by having mic checks, by having it muted, one isn’t going to be able to overpower the other,” Garza said.

Smith County Republican Party Chair David Stein said the new rules hinder a healthy debate between the two people who will be on the ballot.

“If I say something and my opponent disagrees with it, that’s part of the process, it’s the back and forth. I hope that is able to happen within these debates,” Stein said.

A recent University of Texas at Tyler poll of Texas voters revealed citizens are concerned of the current economy.

“That’s the job of a president to lead this country, to lead an environment where everyone can thrive and to be successful, not to be trampled on and crippled,” Stein said.

Whereas the opposing party said controlling inflation takes time.

“The way that inflation is going up, it’s not going to go back down overnight. It’s going to go back down, you know, half a point at a time, that point in time,” Garza said.

What the local party leaders can agree on is personal attacks from either candidate should not overpower key issues and indecisive voters could be the key to win the White House.

UT Tyler’s survey also showed former president Donald Trump had a 8% advantage over President Joe Biden.

The debate can be watched at 8 p.m. Thursday on KETK and FOX51 News.

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