In 36, Schaer, Scalera not anxious for debate forum with Pio Costa and Diorio

WOOD-RIDGE - Assemblyman Fred Scalera (D-Nutley) and Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Passaic) part company slightly in reaction to a call from their Republican opponents in the 36th District to debate - but neither is embracing the prospect with relish.

Scalera says he would do it if he had the assurance that the venue didn't turn into a town hall free-for-all.

"I wouldn't want to get in there and just have people shouting," Scalera told PolitickerNJ.com. "We'd have to have some set parameters."

Schaer isn't convinced that could happen, and says he would rather devote time to working the district than squaring off against challengers Carmen Pio Costa of Nutley and Don Diorio of Carlstadt.

"I have no doubt that if we debated, we'd prevail, but I don't see the advantage," said Schaer, who's sitting on over $400,000 for this campaign and plans to build a war chest totaling over $600,000.

As an incumbent, Schaer, campaign sources say, doesn't want to give Pio Costa and Diorio a free ad, but the Republicans read the response as a "slap in the face" to the voters of the 36th District.

The GOP candidates shot off a three-debate challenge late last week. 

"Schaer and Scalera need to answer for their records" said Pio Costa. "They have voted for massive tax and spending increases in lockstep with Gov. Corzine. The taxpayers of the 36th district want and deserve answers."

"The taxpayers deserve to have their voices heard." said Diorio. "They deserve to be able to ask the candidates looking to represent them about their records, where they stand on the issues and what their vision is for the future of this state and district. A debate in each of the three counties allows them the perfect opportunity to ask just those questions."

On the same day of the challenge last Thursday, Schaer and Scalera officially opened their campaign headquarters in Wood-Ridge.