AARP Vermont has cancelled the governor’s debate scheduled for Monday evening because of the tragic deaths of five teens from the Waterbury area this past weekend.
Sue Minter, the Democratic candidate for governor, and Phil Scott, the Republican contender, are both attending a vigil tonight at Harwood High School to honor the memories of the five victims who died in a car crash late Saturday night in Williston.
The teens, ranging in age from 15 to 16, were traveling on I-89 when a truck driving the wrong way on the highway crashed into their 2004 VW Jetta. The vehicle caught on fire, and all five children died. Four of the teens were students at Harwood.
The advocacy group for seniors had planned a televised debate on Vermont PBS at the DoubleTree Hotel in S. Burlington.
David Reveille, a spokesman for AARP Vermont, said in a statement: “Our thoughts are with the families and all the victims. It is a sad day for all of us. Both campaigns agree that tonight is a time to put politics aside.”