WATE-TV to host first televised debate among Senate candidates

WATE-TV to host first televised debate among Senate candidates

May 24, 2006

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- WATE-TV, Knoxville's ABC affiliate, will host the state of Tennessee's first televised debate among the major Republican candidates for U.S. Senate.

The hour-long debate will take place on the Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 29 inside the University Center Auditorium.

Ed Bryant, Bob Corker, and Van Hilleary have agreed to participate in the event co-sponsored by the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee.

"We are excited that our station has so many partners to give the state its first look at how these candidates address the issues face-to-face," said moderator and WATE anchor Gene Patterson. 

Joining Patterson as panelists will be WATE anchor Lori Tucker, WNOX-FM radio host Hallerin Hilton Hill, the Knoxville Metro Pulse's Barry Henderson. WATE anchor Kristin Farley will introduce the major issues and give audience members an opportunity to ask questions. WNOX-FM will also simulcast WATE's program live on its airwaves.

Patterson added, "Another important part of this debate is that the audience members will have the opportunity to pose questions as well."

If you would like to submit a question to be included in the night's discussion, click here.

The debate will be free and open to the public. The League of Women Voters is also a partner with WATE-TV on this event. The moderator will use LWV rules of debate and time-keeping.

Nissa Dahlin-Brown, Assistant Director for the Howard Baker Center says, "Like many of our past programs, this debate is an excellent occasion for voters from across our area to hear firsthand from candidates in this hotly contested Republican primary."

"Voting is the responsibility of all citizens and we hope this debate will be a key factor in helping voters in East Tennessee make their decision in the August 3 Primary Election and in getting more citizens out to vote!"

Early voting for the August 3rd primary begins July 14.

The GOP winner will then likely face Democrat Harold Ford Jr. in the November 7 general election. The election will fill Sen. Bill Frist's seat who has decided not to seek re-election.