Legislative candidate debates set for PCC
Southern Arizona candidates for the state Legislature will meet in a series of debates sponsored by the Clean Elections Commission, Sept. 20 through Oct. 10.
The debates will be held at various Pima Community College campuses weekly.
Candidates who will answer questions include both those funding their campaigns with private donations, and those running with Clean Elections funding. "Clean" candidates are required to participate in the debates.
Schedule
LD2 debate
- Sept. 20, 6 p.m.
- PCC East Campus, 8181 E. Irvington Rd., Room L-101
- State House candidates John Ackerley (R), Andrea Dalessandro (D), Rosanna Gabaldon (D)
LD11 debate
- Sept. 24, 6 p.m.
- PCC Northwest Campus, 7600 N. Shannon Rd., Room A-207
- State House candidates David Joseph (D), Adam Kwasman (R), Steve Smith (R)
- State Senate candidates Jo Holt (D) and Al Melvin (R)
LD9 debate
- Oct. 4, 6 p.m.
- PCC Downtown Campus, North Stone Avenue and Speedway, Amethyst Room
- State House candidates Cynthia Miley (R), Ethan Orr (R), Mohur Sarah Sidhwa (D), Victoria Steele (D)
- State Senate candidates Steve Farley (D) and Tyler Mott (R)
LD10 debate
- Oct. 10, 6 p.m.
- PCC District Office, 4905 E. Broadway, Community Board Room (C-105)
- State House candidates: Todd Clodfelter (R), Stefanie Mach (D), Ted Vogt (R), Bruce Wheeler (D)
At the debates, candidates will respond to questions prepared by Clean Elections staffers along with questions submitted in writing by audience members.
Clean Elections provides $14,355 to each candidate in the primary elections, said Daniel Ruiz, the commission's spokesman. Candidates in the general elections each receive $21,522, he said.
Clean Elections is funded by a 10 percent surcharge on civil penalties and criminal fines, plus penalties paid by candidates who violate spending restrictions. Other funding includes the $5 qualifying contributions that candidates must collect to participate in the campaign finance system.
Beyond public financing for legislative and statewide candidates, Clean Elections conducts voter education by sponsoring debates and sending pamphlets to citizens.
