The candidates who participated in our series of state senatorial debates demonstrated that those running for office can frankly air their differences on the issues, and even exchange some tough verbal blows, while remaining respectful to one another and the voters.

The debates served the intended purpose of making it clear, or at least clearer, where the candidates stood on some of the most important issues of the day — racial inequality and balancing police accountability with the need to assure public safety; budget and taxation; the high-cost of electricity in the state; the lack of affordable housing; whether to permanently make voting more convenient; the handling of the pandemic; the business climate and labor issues among them.

We thank the Garde Arts Center in New London which, though still shuttered due to the epidemic, provided us a venue to livestream the debates to residents across the region. And the League of Women Voters of Southeastern Connecticut for supplying timekeepers. The hour-long debates will remain available on theday.com up to Election Day. If you haven’t voted yet and remain undecided about these important state Senate position, these debates could help form your decision.

Taking part in the debates were 18th District candidates Republican Sen. Heather Somers and her Democratic challenger Bob Statchen; in the 19th District Democratic incumbent Sen. Cathy Osten and her Republican opponent Steve Weir; in the 20th District Republican Sen. Paul Formica and his Democratic opponent Martha Marx; and in the 33rd District Democratic Sen. Norm Needleman and Republican challenger Brendan Saunders.

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.