The West Virginia Press Association is partnering with West Virginia Public Broadcasting and AARP West Virginia to host a gubernatorial debate to give voters a chance to see where the candidates stand prior to the November general election.
The West Virginia Gubernatorial Debate, featuring Senate President Bill Cole, R-Mercer, and Democratic billionaire businessman Jim Justice, will be held Oct. 4 at the Walker Theater in the Clay Center in Charleston, according to a statement issued by the press association. The 60-minute debate will include a watch-party event in the Clay Center's Benedum Grand Lobby.
"West Virginians deserve the opportunity to compare and contrast the positions of the Democratic candidate Jim Justice and the Republican candidate Bill Cole," Don Smith, executive director of the West Virginia Press Association, said in the news release. "Election of West Virginia's next Governor is vitally important for the future of the state. In organizing this event, we wanted to ensure that all residents - from Cabell County to Jefferson County, Hancock County to Mercer County and all points in between - would have live access and thorough coverage."
The three organizations also partnered in 2014 to host a U.S. Senate debate that was broadcast and covered by media across the state and televised on C-SPAN.
"As the state's public broadcaster, we're interested in providing a gubernatorial debate to all other TV and radio stations, as well as a live stream for newspaper websites across the state," Scott Finn, executive director and CEO of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, said in the statement. "We hope to give the people of West Virginia an opportunity to learn more about the candidates views on the important issues impacting our state and its future."
Gaylene Miller, state director of AARP West Virginia, said the organization is pleased to be a partner in the event.
"We look forward to presenting a fair and balanced debate that provides all voters with as much information as possible about the candidates' positions on key issues affecting our state," she said in the news release.
Live coverage of the debate will be available in all 55 counties on television, radio, Internet and in print. The event will conclude with a broadcast of post-debate analysis from a panel of state media members that will be live streamed by the event's media partners, according to the news release.
Organizers will work with professionals, experts, members of the media and the community across the state between now and Oct. 4 to come up with questions. Input from business, education, industry, social and civic leaders also will be sought.