AZ Votes
When reliable information on candidates is more important than ever, Arizona PBS provides our viewing public with “Candidates in Conversation,” a new opportunity to hear directly from candidates in a format that highlights not only their political stances, but also reveals how candidates perform under pressure.
Congressional District 8 candidates - Democrats
May 12
Arizona Democratic Congressional District 8 candidates Bernadette Greene-Placentia and Raymond Keeler discuss major issues in Arizona.
AZ Votes
For decades, Arizona PBS has been the place where Arizona voters turn to hear directly from candidates running for office.
Now, when reliable information on candidates is more important than ever, Arizona PBS provides our viewing public a new opportunity to hear directly from candidates in a format that highlights not only their political stances, but also reveals how candidates perform under pressure.
Arizona PBS’s “Candidates in Conservation” will provide a forum for extended interviews amongst those running to represent Arizonans in various offices, with candidates facing off against each other in moderated conversations.
“Arizona Horizon” host Ted Simons will conduct the conversations, bringing together candidates for an office to discuss the issues that matter most to Arizona voters, such as the economy, immigration and more. Simon’s extensive experience as a political journalist and host will ensure candidates are given fair treatment while keeping the focus of the conversations on factual information that matters to Arizonans.
Every attempt will be made to bring as many candidates running for federal and statewide offices this year to “Candidates in Conversation” to provide viewers with the most complete view possible of those who want their support.
List of upcoming ‘Candidates in Conversation’
Please see below for a list of confirmed “Candidates in Conversation” specials as well as the names of candidates who have been confirmed for each:
• Thursday, May 14: Arizona Secretary of State (Republican Primary)
o Alex Kolodin
o Gina Swoboda
• Tuesday, May 19: Arizona Treasurer (Republican Primary)
o Katherine Haley
o Elijah Norton
• Tuesday, May 26: Congressional District 4 (Democratic Primary)
o Kai Newkirk
• Tuesday, June 9: Congressional District 1 (Democratic Primary)
o Marlene Galan-Woods
o Rick McCartney
o Jonathan Treble
o Amish Shah
• Thursday, June 11: Congressional District 5 (Democratic Primary)
o Brian Hualde
o Chris James
o Elizabeth Lee
• Thursday, June 18: Arizona Governor (Republican Primary)
o David Schweikert
Arizona PBS is working to schedule additional “Candidates in Conversation” specials and will announce those as they are confirmed.
Ted Simons
Ted Simons is the award-winning host and managing editor of “Arizona Horizon,” the nightly public affairs show on Arizona PBS. Simons moderates discussions with government officials, business leaders and policy makers about the issues, laws and policies that affect Arizonans in their everyday lives.
According to Simons, a lot has changed since he first took the reins of "Arizona Horizon" in late 2007.
"The journalism landscape has changed in many ways," said Simons. "Social media is an undeniable and unavoidable force in disseminating information as well as a major factor in the persistent spread of disinformation."
Despite the challenges facing journalism today, Arizona PBS' News and Public Affairs team remains steadfast in its commitment to the highest standards of integrity, transparency, credibility, inclusion, and impartiality.
"One thing that hasn't changed over the years is our focus on broadcasting balanced, in-depth interviews on public policy issues of import to our viewers," said Simons.
For Simons, his sense of duty to provide a public service and bring clarity to voters remains unchanged. "It's our job to get past the talking points and self-promoting and have those running for office explain their positions."