‘Cheating’ claims hurled at Democrat during debate at Penn State

State Rep. Paul Takac (D-82nd District) talks to the crowd during a debate with Republican challenger Therese Hollen on Oct. 17, 2024.

(Daily Collegian) Audience members of the state representative debate in the HUB’s Flex Theater on Thursday alleged Democrat state Rep. Paul Takac cheated by communicating with his staffers on an iPad during the debate.

Takac, who has served as the democratic state representative for District 82 in Centre County since January 2023, debated Republican candidate Therese Hollen during an event sponsored by the University Park Undergraduate Association when the accusation occurred.

In an anonymous video tip submitted to The Daily Collegian, Nicholas Bieling, Takac’s chief of staff, took notes in a shared notes app during the meeting, which audience members reported to his opponent, causing the moderators to prohibit technology use during the debate.

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