(The Center Square) – The top seven Democrats running for Wisconsin governor and the candidates to replace Congressman Tom Tiffany in the 7th Congressional District both have televised debates scheduled before the state’s Aug. 11 primary.
Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, current Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, state Rep. Francesca Hong, state Sen. Kelda Roys, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, businessman Joel Brennan and former Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. CEO Missy Hughes are all scheduled to take part in a July 28 debate on WISN moderated by WISN 12 News’ journalists Gerron Jordan and Matt Smith.
Hong led a Marquette Law School poll with 14% support, followed by Barnes (11%), Crowley (3%), Rodriguez (3%), Brennan (2%), Roys (1%) and Hughes (1%).
Tiffany is the Republican primary favorite.
The debate between Democrat candidates for the office will be hosted at Weasler Auditorium on the Marquette University campus and will be broadcast on the WISN website along with WISN and partner stations in Green Bay (WBAY), Madison (WKOW), Wausau (WAOW), Eau Claire (WQOW) and La Crosse (WXOW).
“A majority of Wisconsin voters are currently undecided in this primary election, making the debate especially important before people head to the polls,” President and General Manager of WISN 12 Shawn Oswald said in a statement. “Wisconsin voters deserve clear answers about where each candidate stands on the important issues.”
WJFW Newswatch 12 will hold two live debates in July with candidates for the 7th Congressional District.
The Republican debate will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on July 7 with Michael Alfonso, Jessi Ebben, and Niina Baum. The station said that Kevin Hermening has not committed to attending.
The Democratic debate will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on July 14 with Chris Armstrong, Ginger Murray and Fred Clark attending.
The debates will be broadcast live on WJFW and will include a 10-minute intermission and streamed on the station’s website and Facebook page.
WJFW anchor Dan Hagen will be moderator for both events.
“The last time Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District held an openseat election — with no incumbent on the ballot — was the Special Election in 2020,” WJFW News Director Geoff Weller said in a statement. “District 7 voters deserve clear answers on where each candidate stands on important issues. Two live, 90-minute debates will add clarity to this race.”
