The Connecticut Secretary of the State debate scheduled for Thursday night between Democrat Stephanie Thomas and Republican Dominic Rapini was canceled late Thursday afternoon.

What was slated to be the first debate in the Connecticut Public and Connecticut League of Women Voters Kick Off 2022 Statewide Candidate Debate Series was canceled late Thursday due to “unforeseen circumstances,” according to Connecticut Public. It is possible the debate will be rescheduled.

“We will share updates regarding a potential makeup date and schedule as they become available,” Connecticut Public wrote. “For complete information on the Connecticut Public and the League of Women Voters of Connecticut debate series, visit ctpublic.org/vote.”

Thomas issued a public statement early Thursday evening.

“I'm very disappointed that Mr. Rapini is unable to participate in tonight’s debate, Secretary of the State is one of the most important positions in state government, and voters deserve the opportunity to learn more about the stark differences in our platforms,” she wrote in her statement. “I look forward to our rescheduled debate.”

Rapini followed with a statement later in the night Thursday.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, I am unable to attend tonight’s League of Women Voters Secretary of the State debate. I called Representative Thomas personally and informed her of this news,“ Rapini wrote in his statement.

He added that he is hoping to reschedule the debate and is working with the League of Women Voters, Connecticut Public and Thomas to do so.

Thomas and Rapini both beat out primary challenges to earn a place on the debate stage Thursday night. Thomas has the endorsement of Denise Merrill, the former secretary of the state since 2011, who resigned in June to care for her husband.

Thomas, a state representative from Norwalk, is Black, and would be the first woman of color elected to be Connecticut’s secretary of the state. She has cast herself as a continuance of Merrill’s legacy and a proponent of expanding voter access with early voting and no-excuse absentee balloting, while Rapini has positioned himself as someone who will rein in the office, as he has warned about election security and the possibility of voter fraud.

Rapini, who works as an executive in marketing at Apple, used to lead Fight Voter Fraud Inc. The organization filed dozens of voter fraud complaints with the State Elections Enforcement Commission, but the SEEC responded in 2021 by saying the complaints were entirely uncorroborated, according to Hearst Connecticut reporting.

s.spinella@theday.com