Hundreds show up for ‘empty chair’ town hall hosted by Indivisible Northeast Indiana
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - Hundreds of residents showed up on Friday for an ‘empty chair’ town hall at the Allen County Public Library in downtown Fort Wayne.
BACKGROUND: Indivisible Northeast Indiana hosting ‘empty chair’ town hall this week
Indivisible Northeast Indiana organized the event in response to Republican leaders' decision not to hold public town halls during the current congressional recess.
Indiana House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta and State Rep. Kyle Miller, both Democrats, took the stage to answer questions from the public on topics like current legislation, the Trump administration, and the local impact of its policies.
Senators Todd Young, Jim Banks, and Third District Rep. Marlin Stutzman, all Republicans, were represented by empty chairs.
“They’ve never been here before, why would they be here now? They’re no-shows. They’re interested in Trump and Elon, they’re not interested in us,” said resident Diane Groenert.
A spokesperson for Senator Banks told 21Alive the U.S. Senator attended a state-wide town hall a few months ago, where Hoosiers showed support for Trump’s agenda, and stated in part, “Attending a fake town hall with a small group of whiny Democrats suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome is not at the top of his (Senator Jim Banks) priority list.”
Senator Young’s team provided a statement saying in part, “Senator Young regularly meets with Hoosiers in a variety of formats, including attending meetings and events across Indiana (...)”
We have not received a response from the office of Rep. Marlin Stutzman.
“I think as a representative, you represent the good people of the city of Fort Wayne, and if you can and are able, it’s a good idea to show up and hear what folks have to say, see what’s on their minds,” said GiaQuinta after the event.
Leaders with Indivisible Northeast Indiana say they will be back at the library for another town hall on April 19.
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