U.S. Senate candidates Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Republican challenger Eric Hovde debated Friday night in Madison at a one-hour televised event sponsored by the WBA Foundation with support from the Wisconsin Counties Association. It was aired live or delayed by more than 75 television and radio stations throughout the state. The debate was also shown live on national network C-SPAN and Wisconsin public affairs cable network WisconsinEye and it was streamed on numerous online platforms.
The debate involved broadcasters from across Wisconsin and was produced at WMTV-TV. It was moderated by Jill Geisler, longtime Wisconsin news professional, WBA Hall of Fame member, author, and Bill Plante Chair in Leadership and Media Integrity at Loyola University, Chicago.
From left to right:
Question Team:
- Aditi Debnath, Reporter, PBS Wisconsin
- Allyson Fergot, Reporter, WKBT News 8 Now, La Crosse
- Neil Johnson, Reporter/Producer, Big Radio, Janesville
- Shannon Sims, Anchor, TMJ4, Milwaukee
- Jeff Thelen, Anchor/Producer, WSAW-TV, Wausau
Data Team:
- Darrielle Fair, Political Reporter, WKOW-TV, Madison
- Jonathan Krause, Director of Multimedia, Woodward Community Media, Appleton
- Harm Venhuizen, Political Reporter/Multimedia Journalist, WGBA-TV, Green Bay (and WTMJ-TV)
- Elizabeth Wadas, Lead Investigative Reporter, WMTV-TV, Madison
Broadcast veteran and WBA Hall of Famer Joyce Garbaciak served as special advisor for the debate team.
The data team is dedicated to sharing the resources and sourcing behind the questions asked during the debate. These debate resources, including links to source materials are available at: debate.wi-broadcasters.org
The candidates debated numerous issues including health care, child care, foreign policy, immigration, reproductive rights, and Social Security, among many more.
The debate will be re-aired before Election Day on numerous Wisconsin stations and will also be available online soon at the WBA debate website.
Election Day is Nov. 5.
The WBA Foundation debate is sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association.
This debate marks a continuation of the WBA Foundation’s 34-year tradition of conducting broadcast debates.
The WBA is a non-partisan statewide trade association representing radio and television broadcasters across the state.
Questions or inquiries about the debates should be directed to debate@wbafoundation.org.
