MontanaPBS to host and broadcast candidate debates tonight, Sept. 28 and Oct. 6

From MSU News Service

BOZEMAN - MontanaPBS will host and broadcast three debates this fall between major party candidates running for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and the Montana governor's office.

All debates will be broadcast live at 7 p.m. across the state. The debate schedule follows:

• Today, Wednesday, Sept. 23, U.S. House debate: Republican Matt Rosendale, Montana state auditor, and Democrat Kathleen Williams, a former Montana legislator, will debate live.

• Monday, Sept. 28, U.S. Senate debate: Incumbent U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, a Republican, and Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat, will debate live.

• Tuesday, Oct. 6, Montana governor debate: U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, and Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney, a Democrat, will debate live.

During the debates, MontanaPBS journalists John Twiggs and Anna Rau will ask the candidates questions and moderate discussion. All debates will be held at a studio in Missoula without a live audience.

"It is part of our MontanaPBS mission to inform the citizens of our state," said Aaron Pruitt, director and general manager of MontanaPBS. "All three major offices are part of our election cycle this fall, and we hope the debates will shed light on the candidates and their positions before Montanans cast their critical votes."

In addition, the debates will be simulcast on Montana Public Radio, Yellowstone Public Radio, online at montanapbs.org/live, and on the MontanaPBS Facebook page. Additionally, C-SPAN2 will air the U.S. Senate debate live at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28.

To view a full list of upcoming election coverage from MontanaPBS, including in-depth candidate profiles for all three of these races, new episodes of "The Rundown with Jackie Coffin," as well as national coverage from PBS "NewsHour," "Frontline" and more, people can visit http://montanapbs.org/electioncoverage online .