A gubernatorial debate between Gov. Jay Inslee and Republic Police Chief Loren Culp will be broadcast live on local channels from 8 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
The Washington State Debate Coalition (WSDC) announced the debate in a Sept. 15 media release. Candidates for lieutenant governor, State Sen. Marko Liias and U.S. Rep. Denny Heck (WA-10), will debate from 8 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22.
The debate between the Democrat Inslee and Republican Culp will be broadcast live immediately following the vice-presidential debate. The Liias and Heck debate will air immediately following that evening’s presidential debates. Liias and Heck are each Democrats.
“With the litany of challenges our society faces, particularly systemic racism and the incredible disruptions due COVID-19, providing voters access to the plans, policies and qualifications of those who seek to govern has never been a more critical public service,” said Laura Lockard, chairperson of the WSDC. “We are proud to partner with media organizations throughout the state to schedule, promote and broadcast the statewide public debates to engage and inform Washington voters.”
“KCTS 9 and Crosscut are proud to be a part of the Washington State Debate Coalition, and we’re proud to do our part to support an informed electorate participating fully in our state’s democratic processes,” said Victor Hernandez, executive editor of Cascade Public Media. “Especially in such difficult times, providing access to the public to make informed electoral decisions is, to us, a civic responsibility, and we thank all our statewide candidates for their willingness to serve and be counted publicly.”
The WSDC and its partners are committed to the safety and security of all candidates, staff and volunteers involved in the upcoming debates while our state continues fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, debates will be held at the broadcast facilities of TVW in Olympia, where all public health strictures and guidelines for social gatherings and face coverings will be followed.
