Arizona PBS to host debates for federal, state and county offices

Tired of the daily onslaught of confusing political ads? Hear the candidates make their case in debates that focus on the important issues at stake.

The news division of Arizona PBS, under the direction of executive producer Allysa Adams, is partnering with the Arizona Republic, KJZZ, Arizona Public Media and the Citizens Clean Elections Commission to bring you a series of debates in the upcoming weeks. The debates, which will include candidates for federal, state and county offices, are designed to help inform voters during the 2020 election cycle.

The debates, which will take place at the Arizona PBS studios in Phoenix at the end of September and throughout October, will air on Arizona PBS and stream on various partner outlets.

In addition, Arizona PBS is inviting journalists from other news organizations to cover the debates to help disseminate information to as many voters as possible.

“It is the mission of Arizona PBS to provide thoughtful debates so that Arizona voters have solid, credible information with which to cast their ballots in November,” said Adams. “Voters have a lot of information to process and we feel that it’s our responsibility to help them navigate through it.”

Monday, Sept. 28 – Congressional District 3
Raul Grijalva/Daniel Wood
Length of debate: 30 minutes
Watch it online here.
Moderators: Ted Simons, Arizona PBS; Steve Goldstein, KJZZ and Maria Polletta, Arizona Republic

Wednesday, Sept. 30 – Corporation Commission (sponsored by Citizen Clean Elections Commission)
Length of debate: 60 minutes
Watch it online here.
Moderator: Ted Simons, Arizona PBS

Monday, Oct. 5 – Congressional District 8
Debbie Lesko/Michael Muscato
Length of debate: 60 minutes
Watch it online here.
Moderators: Ted Simons, Arizona PBS; Steve Goldstein, KJZZ; and Richard Ruelas, Arizona Republic

Tuesday, Oct. 6 – U.S. Senate (sponsored by Citizens Clean Elections Commission)
Martha McSally/ Mark Kelly
Length of debate: 90 minutes
Watch it online here, complete with post-debate analysis from the moderators.
Moderators: Steve Goldstein, KJZZ; Lorraine Rivera, Arizona Public Media; Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Arizona Republic; and Ted Simons, Arizona PBS.

Thursday, Oct. 8 – Congressional District 1
Tom O’Halleran/ Tiffany Shedd
Length of debate: 30 minutes
Watch it online here.
Moderators: Ted Simons, Arizona PBS; Steve Goldstein, KJZZ; and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Arizona Republic

Friday, Oct. 9 – Maricopa County Sheriff 
Length of debate: 30 minutes
Watch it online here
Moderators: Ted Simons, Arizona PBS; Steve Goldstein, KJZZ; and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Arizona Republic

Tuesday, Oct. 13 – Congressional District 9
Greg Stanton/Dave Giles
Length of debate: 30 minutes
Watch it online here
Moderators: Ted Simons, Arizona PBS; Steve Goldstein, KJZZ; and Richard Ruelas, Arizona Republic

Friday, Oct. 16 – Maricopa County Attorney
Julie Gunnigle/Allister Adel
Length of debate: 60 minutes
Airs on Arizona PBS at 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Moderator: Ted Simons, Arizona PBS

The incumbent candidates from District 4, 5 and 6 have not responded to repeated requests to schedule a debate. The incumbent candidate from District 7 has respectfully declined to debate his opponent.