State Sen. Darrel Aubertine once again Wednesday stood before an audience ready to discuss the issues at a candidate forum arranged by the North Side Improvement League in Watertown, but didn’t have Patty Ritchie, his challenger for the Senate seat, to debate with.

When asked where Patty Ritchie was, moderator Charlie Bolio said, “She sent us emails today saying that she would be here. I ran into Darrel a few weeks ago and he made the commitment that he would be here tonight, and he followed through on his commitment.”

Aubertine’s campaign says that, “for the second time in three days, Patty Ritchie stood up debate organizers and the public by simply not showing up. This was the same Patty Ritchie who failed to show for a planned League of Women Voters debate in Canton – the only planned debate in St. Lawrence County,” the statement said.

“We can’t figure out why Patty Ritchie is hiding, or what exactly she is hiding from,” said Aubertine campaign staff member Drew Mangione. “Is she aware that senators have to answer tough questions from the media, speak in public and even defend bills on the floor of the Senate? It’s part of their job.”

Aubertine was asked by those in attendance about healthcare, gun rights, farm labor, and even the gubernatorial race.

Aubertine’s spokesman said that a common refrain in the questions asked was, “I wish I could have asked Patty this question, but I’ll ask Senator Aubertine…”