Governor debates are set

Face-to-face events scheduled for Phoenix, Tucson

Republican Gov. Doug Ducey and Democratic challenger David Garcia will debate at least twice before the Nov. 6 general election, their campaigns say.

Incumbent Republican Gov. Doug Ducey and his Democratic challenger, David Garcia, will debate at least twice before the Nov. 6 general election, according to their campaigns.

The back-to-back debates have been scheduled for Sept. 24 and 25.

Garcia challenged Ducey to televised face-offs in Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma — one for each Arizona media market.

“The voters have a right to hear from their candidates,” Garcia said in a statement, calling Ducey “vulnerable” and saying there “is no issue more pressing in our state than education.”

Ducey accepted invitations in Phoenix and Tucson.

“There is a clear contrast of ideas in this election,” Ducey’s campaign manager, J.P. Twist, said in a statement.

Twist said the governor “looks forward to sharing his record on the economy, historic investments in education and work to make Arizona a safer, better place to live, work and raise a family.”

Arizona PBS will partner with the Citizens Clean Elections Commission for the Sept. 24 debate in Phoenix, set to begin at 5 p.m.

PBS will broadcast the forum; Ted Simons will moderate.

Arizona Public Media, the Arizona Daily Star and KJZZ will collaborate on the Sept. 25 debate, held at the Arizona Public Media studio in Tucson. Representatives from each media outlet will co-moderate.

Phoenix-area residents can listen at 7 p.m. on KJZZ-FM (91.5).

Moderators will almost certainly focus on public education, given the #RedForEd teacher walkout this spring and the recent decision to knock the #InvestinEd income-tax measure off the November ballot.

The governor has pointed to his 20x2020 teacher-raise plan as evidence of his commitment to public schools, while Garcia has touted his background as an education policy expert.

Other likely topics include the economy and border security.

Garcia has painted Ducey as detached from the average Arizonan, saying Ducey caters to those in top income brackets. Ducey has accused Garcia of being soft on public safety at the U.S.-Mexico border after Garcia called for the replacement of Immigra-

tion and Customs Enforcement.

In the months leading up to the Aug. 28 primary, Ducey declined to debate Republican challenger Ken Bennett after the former secretary of state made controversial remarks about the future of U.S. Sen. John McCain’s seat.

McCain, who died Aug. 25, was receiving treatment for brain cancer at the time.

Garcia and his primary opponents, state Sen. Steve Farley and Tucsonarea YWCA leader Kelly Fryer, participated in about 20 forums.

In the 2014 governor’s race, Ducey participated in three general-election debates with Democratic nominee Fred DuVal.

Govs. Jan Brewer and Janet Napolitano participated in one or two debates, respectively, as incumbents.