Roraback, Esty meet in Torrington for 1st debate

TORRINGTON, Conn. (AP) — The candidates in Connecticut's most closely watched congressional race are facing off in their first debate.

Republican State Sen. Andrew Roraback goes up against Democrat Elizabeth Esty, a former state representative, Tuesday evening at the Warner Theater in Torrington.

The rivals have each received support from national parties in the race for one of only two U.S. House seats in New England where an incumbent is not running for re-election. The 5th district seat is currently held by U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, who is running for U.S. Senate.

The district covers a largely bipartisan district in northwestern Connecticut.

The debate is co-sponsored by the Republican-American, University of Connecticut Torrington, the Northwest Connecticut Young Democrats and the Connecticut Young Republicans.

Republican-American Executive Editor Jonathan Kellogg will be the moderator.