From the Editor: Tune in Oct. 13 for state debates in our backyard
The 2018 midterm elections are in sight, and there are a number of state seats up for grabs. The Pikes Peak region will take a lead role in the election by hosting this year’s gubernatorial debate and statewide candidate forum Oct. 13 at The Garden Pavilion at the Penrose House Conference Center, 1661 Mesa Ave., in Colorado Springs.
The debate will feature a republican and democrat candidate from the governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and state treasurer races. KOAA News5 anchor Rob Quirk will act as moderator. Quirk will be joined by panelists Joey Bunch, political reporter for The Gazette, and Elizabeth Watts, KOAA News5 anchor.
The schedule for the evening is as follows:
From 5 to 6:30 p.m., attorney general candidates Phil Weiser and George Brauchler will face off. Democratic candidate Weiser is a former Deputy Assistant Attorney General, and republican Brauchler is Arapahoe County’s District Attorney.
Secretary of state republican incumbent Wayne Williams will then debate with democratic candidate and attorney Jena Griswold.
The next debate will be between state treasurer candidates Dave Young and Brian Watson. Democratic candidate Young is a state representative and republican candidate Watson is a businessman.
There will be a 30-minute intermission from 6:30 to 7, followed by the biggest debate of the evening.
The Colorado gubernatorial debate will run from 7 to 8 p.m. between Walker Stapleton and Jared Polis. Republican Stapleton is serving as state treasurer and democrat Polis is a U.S. representative.
Debate organizers are now taking question suggestions from voters for the debates. In a Sept. 24 editorial, Gazette Editor Vince Bzdek called for readers’ submissions:
“Who can best deal with Colorado’s runaway growth, its exploding demand for skilled workers, its knotty traffic problems and needy schools? How about the surging homeless population and the state’s burgeoning appetite for energy, clean and otherwise? What comes next for legalized pot? Who’s with President Donald Trump, who’s against?”
Be sure to get your questions in for the chance to have them answered by the candidates. Can’t make it on Oct. 13? The debate will be streamed at thestatedebate.com and saved so you can watch it live or later when you have time.
Ballots will go out just two days after the debate, so this is a great chance to show up and learn what you need to for informed voting. Whether you’ve been following the election throughout the year or are just now tuning in to make your ballot decisions, take advantage of a debate of this magnitude in our region.
For more information or to RSVP for the debate, visit thestatedebate.com.
Hannah Blick has lived in the Pikes Peak region for six years and enjoys exploring the many neighborhood haunts and side streets of Teller County. Send your feedback and column ideas to hannah.blick@pikespeaknewspapers.com.
