Yavapai College and the Yavapai County Education Service Agency will present a debate among six of Arizona’s gubernatorial candidates on Friday, March 7, 6 p.m. at the College’s Performing Arts Center. The debate is free and open to the public on a first-come basis. Doors open at 5 p.m., and seating is limited. The Performing Arts Center is located on the College’s Prescott campus, 1100 E. Sheldon St.
As of February 27, the candidates who had confirmed their participation in the debate were Ken Bennett, Arizona Secretary of State; James Draper, Phoenix paralegal; Christine Jones, Go-Daddy Executive; Al Melvin, Arizona State Senator; John Molina, former Phoenix Indian Medical Center CEO; and Scott Smith, Mayor of Mesa. All but Draper are candidates for the Republican Party nomination; Draper is running as an Independent. Other candidates from various parties declined to participate.
Ken Lain, Prescott business owner, will moderate the debate, which will focus on three interrelated topics: education, economic development and quality of life. The format includes 2-minute openings by each candidate, topical questions submitted by audience members, opportunities for candidate rebuttals and 2-minute summations by each candidate. The debate is expected to end around 8 p.m.
Arizona’s Republican gubernatorial primary will be held August 26, and the general election is November 4.
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