RSSGregoire, Rossi debate set
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YAKIMA -- The rematch between Gov. Chris Gregoire and gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi comes live to Yakima on Oct. 1.
The Democratic incumbent and her Republican challenger have agreed to face off during a debate at the Capitol Theatre and take questions from a panel of journalists, as well as citizens. The debate is being presented by the Yakima Herald-Republic and KYVE-TV.
Earlier this month, Gregoire and Rossi agreed to a Yakima debate, but the Oct. 1 date was not finalized until Thursday.
The debate will begin at 7 p.m. and be broadcast live on PBS stations across the state. Those who miss it the first time can watch it re-broadcast on TVW, a state public affairs network based in Olympia.
Like the gubernatorial race itself, the Oct. 1 event will be a repeat of the Oct. 12, 2004, Gregoire-Rossi face off at the Capitol Theatre four years ago. The Capitol, which helped the Herald-Republic host the 2004 event, is again making the historic venue available.
Publisher Michael Shepard said the community looks forward to watching Rossi and Gregoire meet before a statewide audience and tackle issues that are of particular interest to voters east of the mountains. Given the razor-thin results of that contest and high interest in this year's rematch, Shepard helped lead the effort to get the candidates back to Yakima.
"From immigration to the environment to agriculture, Central Washington is at the heart of many issues facing Washington state ...," he said in a news release. "We think (the Oct. 1 debate) will be key in helping voters decide how to cast their ballots."
Ken Messer, general manager of KYVE and another key organizer of the debate, said he thinks the debate will help highlight the economic resurgence of Yakima and the strength of the region's agricultural economy.
Questions for the candidates will come from a moderator and panelists, as well as from the public.
Citizens will be invited to attend the debate for free; however, plans for ticket distribution have not yet been finalized. The Capitol Theatre can accommodate 1,500 people.
The Yakima gubernatorial debate will be one of five across the state scheduled before the general election.
Additional information will soon be available at www.governordebate.com.
I hope some of the tickets might be distributed to citizens with "thought-filled" questions representing the economic and cultural diversity challenges our county and state governments face.
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