The WGCU studio building on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University. (Photo: WGCU)
Sept. 11, 2020 by David Silverberg
Public television station WGCU will be hosting a debate between 19th Congressional District candidates Democrat Cindy Banyai and Republican Byron Donalds.
The debate will be held on Monday, Sept. 28 from 8 to 9 pm. It will be televised from the WGCU studios on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University.
The debate is also being sponsored by the News-Press and Naples Daily News of Gannet’s USA Today Network.
In addition to the television and radio broadcasts on WGCU-TV and WGCU 90.1 FM, the debate will be streamed on WGCU.com, News-press.com and Naplesnews.com.
The debate will be moderated by Julie Glenn, the news director of WGCU Public Media. Questioners will be Amy Bennett Williams of Gannett and John Davis of WGCU.
The debate marks a stark contrast from the congressional race in 2018 when Rep. Francis Rooney (R-19-Fla.) told the League of Women Voters that he had “no availability” for a debate with opposing candidate Democrat David Holden and would have “no future availability” because “everyone knows my positions.”
Despite protests from Holden and his campaign, local media accepted the refusal and no debate or discussion of his record or positions was ever held.
Banyai and Donalds have already held one debate, on Aug. 21 at the Cantina 109 bar and grill in Gulf Coast Town Center.
Liberty lives in light
© 2020 by David Silverberg