Uninvited gubernatorial candidate makes scene at debate

<p>Seven candidates faced off in Monday night's Democratic gubernatorial primary debate, but one candidate who wasn't invited&nbsp;made a guest appearance.</p>

News 12 Staff

Apr 10, 2018, 9:28 AM

Updated 2,197 days ago

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Seven candidates faced off in Monday night's Democratic gubernatorial primary debate, but one candidate who wasn't invited made a guest appearance.
Candidate Lee Whitnum showed up with what appeared to be her own name card and sat down at the table with the other candidates. She kept repeating "I am a declared Democratic candidate, I have a right to be here. My paper has been filed."
One of the officers present asked her to leave, but she refused. At one point, Whitnum slipped and police had to drag her off of the stage.
Whitnum has been charged with breach of peace and will appear in court later this month.
Chair of the Brookfield Democratic Town Committee Laura Orban responded, "We think it's important to offer to the community the best information that we can bring you about the most likely, reasonable, viable candidates for the highest office in the state of Connecticut. That's who we invited."
This isn't Whitnum's first encounter with police. She was arrested a few years ago for allegedly causing a disturbance at the Stamford Courthouse Library.


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