The University of Louisiana at Lafayette will host a debate between the three major candidates vying for Louisiana governor.
Incumbent John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, will square off against two Republican challengers: U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham and businessman Eddie Rispone. The debate will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Angelle Hall, 601 E. St. Mary Blvd, on the UL Lafayette campus.
Early voting begins Sept. 28. The general election is Saturday, Oct. 12. If necessary, a runoff will be held Saturday, Nov. 16
The debate is sponsored by Louisiana Public Broadcasting, the Council for a Better Louisiana and UL Lafayette. Beth Courtney, LPB president, and Barry Erwin, CABL executive director, will moderate.
Attendees who have registered to attend the event will hear candidates answer questions posed by a panel of three journalists – Mark Ballard of The Advocate newspaper, Greg Hilburn of the USA Today Network and Natasha Williams of LPB. Candidates will also be allowed to ask questions of each other.
Dr. Pearson Cross, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and an associate professor of political science said “the gubernatorial debate will provide a forum for intelligent and cogent analysis about issues important to Louisiana.”
Dr. Rick Swanson, head of the Department of Political Science, said having the debate on campus provides University students – especially students studying political science – “a great opportunity to learn about the democratic process firsthand.”
Registration has ended. The debate, however, will be broadcast live statewide on LPB, and in New Orleans on public TV stations WYES and WLAE. It will also be streamed live at LPB.org.