Moderators, Media Panelists Announced for WSDC Debates
Candidates for the 8th and 9th Congressional Districts to debate this week
SEATTLE — Oct. 24, 2022 — From the economy to COVID, climate change to public safety, journalists from Washington state’s top news outlets will take the stage this week to query candidates for Congress in debates hosted by the Washington State Debate Coalition (WSDC).
As a coalition, the WSDC is committed to ensuring free, public access to live, moderated debates between candidates holding and/or seeking elected office. It operates under the umbrella of, and with resources procured by, Seattle CityClub, a 501C3 organization.
“We are grateful to our Premier Media Partners for lending their time, talent and resources to this year’s debates. We are fortunate to have access to so many amazing media partners and news leaders who share our commitment to providing quality debate programming for Washington state voters,” said Seattle CityClub Executive Director Alicia Crank.
“Our debate moderators and panelists understand the issues on voters’ minds this election cycle and will do their best to engage the candidates in a way that helps voters cast informed ballots.”
Moderators and panelists for this week’s WSDC debates include:
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25 - SEATTLE UNIVERSITY
9th Congressional District Debate – 2-3 p.m.
Doug Basler
Adam Smith
Moderator: Mary Nam, KOMO 4
TVW viewing link available here.
This debate will feature bipartisan questions from Braver Angels, using their Community Questions method.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28 - CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
8th Congressional District Debate — 7-8 p.m.
Matt Larkin
Kim Schrier
Moderator/Lead Panelist: Hana Kim, FOX 13
Media Panelists:
Tracci Dial - KNDU/NBC News Right Now
David Hyde – KUOW
Madison Wade - KING 5
TVW viewing link available here.
This year’s debates are being produced with technical leadership and support from TVW, Washington state’s public affairs network and with the sponsorship support of AARP Washington.
Both debates will include live audiences at each of the venues and will be available to viewers statewide via live TV and radio broadcasts and video and audio webstreams.
About the Washington State Debate Coalition (WSDC)
Founded by Seattle CityClub in 2016, the WSDC has produced public debates across the state, including events for gubernatorial elections and U.S. Senate races, serving an audience of over 3 million people. The WSDC is supported every election cycle by media, education, and civic partners committed to the belief that making public debates available to all is crucial to a functioning democracy.
About WSDC Program Partner AARP
The WSDC is proud to partner with AARP Washington on this year’s debate programming. AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media.
About Seattle CityClub
For 40 years, Seattle CityClub, a nonpartisan nonprofit, has provided programs that inform, connect, and engage people around civic issues to help strengthen our region. For more information, visit SeattleCityClub.org.
