WISN 12 will host a live, primetime debate between Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Crowley and Republican nominee Tom Tiffany on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m., the station announced Tuesday.
Both candidates have agreed to participate, according to WISN 12 political director Matt Smith and anchor Gerron Jordan. The debate will be held at Marquette University Law School. There will be no audience.
Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, and Tiffany, a U.S. representative from Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District, have not previously shared a general-election debate stage. They are the nominees for the Nov. 3 election to succeed Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat who is not seeking a third term.
Crowley won the Aug. 11 Democratic primary. Tiffany won the Republican nomination. Early in-person absentee voting for the general election begins Oct. 20, the day before the WISN debate.
WISN 12 previously hosted the only televised Democratic primary debate, on July 28 at Marquette University. That forum featured five Democratic candidates and was moderated by Smith and Jordan.
Other general-election forums have been proposed. The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association announced plans for a one-hour debate at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 to be carried by radio and television stations statewide. Milwaukee station TMJ4 has planned an Oct. 8 town hall. As of mid-August, spokespeople for both campaigns said they had not committed to those events.
WISN 12 did not immediately release a full list of moderators, format rules or statewide simulcast partners for the Oct. 21 debate.
