Arizona PBS to present ‘Candidates in Conversation’ series as part of ‘AZ Votes 2026’ election coverage initiative

First primary ‘Conversation’ taking place April 28

Arizona PBS, a community service of Arizona State University, today announced plans to host, broadcast and livestream a new series, called “Candidates in Conversation,” as part of the station’s “AZ Votes 2026” election coverage initiative. Featuring a more conversational approach than traditional election debates, this new series aims to give Arizonans an opportunity to hear directly from those seeking elected offices across the state.

Moderated by “Arizona Horizon” Host and Managing Editor Ted Simons, “Candidates in Conversation” will be broadcast on the station’s primary channel, 8.1, at 5 p.m., with a regular repeat airing at 10 p.m. Arizona PBS’ digital audience will also be able to livestream the conversations via the @AZPBSNow YouTube channel. Each conversation will be subsequently archived for on-demand viewing on that same YouTube channel and on the station’s website at azpbs.org/azvotes.

“With another election cycle approaching, we’re proud to connect voters across the state with opportunities to hear directly from candidates,” said Arizona PBS General Manager Scott Woelfel. “This is an example of the many ways public media serves its communities.”

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:

• Tuesday, April 28: Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction (Democratic Primary)
o Brett Newby
o Terry Leyba Ruiz

• Tuesday, May 5: First Congressional District (Republican Primary)
o Jay Feely
o John Trobough

• Tuesday, May 12: Eighth Congressional District (Democratic Primary)
o Raymond Keeler
o Bernadette Greene Placentia

• Wednesday, May 13: Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction (Republican Primary)
o Thomas C. Horne
o Kimberly Yee

• 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 Elijan Norton

• Tuesday, June 9: First Congressional District (Democratic Primary)
o Marlene Galan-Woods
o Rick McCartney
o Jonathan Treble

• Thursday, June 11: Fifth Congressional District (Democratic Primary)
o Brian Hualde
o Chris James
o Elizabeth Lee

The station is working to schedule additional “Candidates in Conversation” specials and will announce those as they are confirmed.

In races where multiple candidates did not agree to a debate, Arizona PBS will present candidate interviews between the participating candidate and Ted Simons. Those interviews will be broadcast as part of the station’s daily news and public affairs series “Arizona Horizon,” which airs weekdays at 5 p.m. As with the “Candidates in Conversation” specials, these interviews will be available for streaming on the @AZPBSNow YouTube channel and on the station’s website at azpbs.org/azvotes.

Thus far, two candidate interviews have been confirmed. Ted Simons will interview Republican candidate for Arizona Attorney General, Rodney Glassman, on Thursday, April 30, and he’ll interview Fifth Congressional District Republican candidate Daniel Keenan on Thursday, May 7.

For more on Arizona PBS’ “AZ Votes 2026” election coverage initiative, visit azpbs.org/azvotes.