See the candidates clash: It’s debate season

It’s debate season, with major debates set in the coming weeks in Idaho’s top political races, giving voters who tune in a chance to see and compare the candidates. The Idaho Debates , which have been sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Idaho Press Club and aired on Idaho Public Television live for the past three decades, kick off this week with tomorrow night’s live debate in the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction, and on Thursday night, debates in the contests for Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State.

The superintendent’s debate, featuring incumbent Republican Tom Luna and Democratic challenger Stan Olson, will be broadcast live tomorrow night starting at 8 p.m. Mountain time, 7 p.m. Pacific time, from the Capitol auditorium, where it will take place before a live audience. On Thursday night, the Lieutenant Governor debate will air at 8 p.m. Mountain, 7 p.m. Pacific, followed by the Secretary of State debate a half-hour later.

There’s more: Candidates for U.S. Senate, including incumbent Mike Crapo and Democratic challenger Tom Sullivan, will debate on Oct. 12; candidates for the 1st Congressional District seat, including incumbent Congressman Walt Minnick, GOP challenger Raul Labrador and independent Dave Olson, will debate on Oct. 14; and  all five candidates for governor will face off in a live debate on Oct. 28th. Each debate will be followed by a live online post-debate analysis and discussion; this year’s Idaho Debates are co-sponsored by a wide array of media partners, including the Associated Press, KIVI-TV, KBOI-TV, the Idaho State Broadcasters Association, the Idaho Statesman and more.

Candidates for governor also are scheduled to debate Oct. 13 at the College of Idaho, in a separate debate organized by three TV stations including KTVB-TV in Boise.