On Friday night, Texas residents will have time to see Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Democratic candidate Beto O’Rourke as the two debate live. This is the only debate scheduled between the two who have campaigned for months for Texas Governor. The election is set for November 8 and the debate should help some undecided voters determine who they want to see as the next Texas governor.
O’Rourke wanted more debates between the two but the Abbott administration agreed to this one and only debate.
The two competitors will meet on the University of Texas Del Rio Grande Valley campus on September 30 at 7 p.m.
Viewers can watch the debate on KXAN, KXAN.com, or KXAN news app. Viewers can also catch the broadcast on Nexstar stations.
O’Rourke’s campaign spokesperson Chris Evans said:
“The people of Texas deserve better. That’s why Beto invites Governor Abbott to participate in three town hall-style debates in every region of the state during weeknights this fall where they can take questions directly from their fellow Texans.”
Greg Abbott’s campaign chairman Gardner Pate said in a statement:
“Governor Abbott is looking forward to debating Beto O’Rourke and explaining to all Texans about the Governor’s efforts to secure the future of Texas by securing the border, defunding cities that defund the police, lowering property taxes, and protecting our oil & gas industry.”
Questions from the debate will come from Sally Hernandez of KXAN-TV, Gromer Jeffers of The Dallas Morning News, and Steve Spriester of KSAT-TV San Antonio. KXAN anchor Britt Moreno will host the debate.
A bonus for select undecided voters
Nexstar Media Group is allowing a panel of undecided voters in Dallas to react live with comments from Governor Abbott and O’Rourke.
The voters have the ability to react to comments from the candidates and leave a favorable or unfavorable like. The undecided voter's reaction will show on the screen during the debate.
You can see a preview of the reaction in the video below:
Nexstar Media worked with an outside research company for the undecided voters who were screened before this event.