Wyoming PBS has added a 9 p.m. debate tonight, Thursday, Aug. 13, featuring the two Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate, following confirmation from both candidates that they will participate.
The debate was added after Wyoming PBS learned Wednesday night that one of the candidates was no longer using the email address listed for him on the Wyoming Secretary of State’s website and had not been aware of the invitation to participate.
Wyoming PBS initially invited the two Democratic U.S. Senate candidates by email on June 2, and one candidate accepted. A follow-up email was sent on July 21 to the second candidate who hadn’t responded, using the email address listed on the Wyoming Secretary of State’s website. Wyoming PBS did not receive a response from the second candidate.
Because Wyoming PBS does not hold single-candidate debates, the Democratic U.S. Senate debate was canceled. After learning last night, Aug. 12, from the second candidate that he had not received the invitation because the email address listed for him on the Wyoming Secretary of State’s website was no longer active or monitored, Wyoming PBS extended a verbal invitation, which he accepted. Both candidates subsequently agreed to participate, prompting Wyoming PBS to add the debate to tonight’s schedule.
“Our goal is to provide Wyoming voters with a fair opportunity to hear directly from candidates seeking public office,” says Joanna Kail, CEO of Wyoming PBS. “We were pleased to add the debate so voters can hear from both candidates.”
Tonight’s Debate Schedule
Thursday, Aug. 13 — Little Theatre, Central Wyoming College, Riverton
- 7 p.m. — U.S. Senate Republican Primary Debate
- 8 p.m. — Governor Republican Primary Debate
- 9 p.m. — U.S. Senate Democratic Primary Debate
There is no Democratic gubernatorial debate because there is only one Democratic candidate running for governor. Wyoming PBS does not hold single-candidate debates.
All debates are free and open to the public. Debates will be broadcast on Wyoming PBS and streamed live on the Wyoming PBS YouTube channel.
Wyoming PBS does plan to schedule general election debates in October for ballot-eligible candidates from all parties.
Wyoming PBS is a non-profit public broadcasting organization serving the state of Wyoming. With a commitment to educating, informing, and inspiring, Wyoming PBS produces and broadcasts high-quality programming that addresses the unique needs and interests of the Wyoming community.