Political Debates Coverage
September 29, 2026
Nexstar’s Local Television Stations To Host and Air 41 Live Candidate Debates Prior to Midterm Elections
Nexstar’s local television stations across 12 states will host and broadcast 17 live candidate debates in the weeks leading up to the midterm elections on November 3. The debates will feature candidates in hotly contested races for the office of United States Senator, U.S. Representative, Governor, and Lieutenant Governor. In many cases, the debates will be the only chance for voters to see the candidates discussing the issues face-to-face.
September 28, 2026
Multnomah County Chair candidates face off in Monday night debate on KOIN 6
Candidates aiming to become the next Multnomah County Chair squared off in a live debate Monday, September 28. The debate featuring Julia Brim-Edwards, Sharon Meieran, and Shannon Singleton was moderated by KOIN 6 News’ Ken Boddie and Lisa Balick. The event, held at Portland State University, was also co-sponsored by the City Club of Portland.
September 23, 2026
Nexstar’s Iowa Television Stations To Air Live Debate Between Candidates for U.S. Senate
Nexstar television stations serving Iowa will air a live, multi‑market telecast of a debate between candidates for U.S. Senate, Republican nominee U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson, and Democratic nominee Iowa State Representative Josh Turek. The debate, titled “Debate Night in Iowa,” will take place on Tuesday, October 13, from 9 p.m. CT to 10 p.m. CT, and originate from the studios of WHO 13 in Des Moines.
September 22, 2026
WSAV To Host Debate for SC 1st Congressional District
Nexstar stations WSAV and WCBD will host a debate for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional seat on October 7. Democrat Nancy Lacore and Republican Jenny Honeycutt will face off in the Nexstar debate, which will air on WSAV and WCBD from 7 to 8 p.m. ET.
September 17, 2026
Nexstar’s Michigan Television Stations To Air Exclusive Live Debates Between Candidates for Governor and U.S. Senate
Nexstar television stations serving Michigan will air two exclusive live, multi‑market telecasts of debates between the candidates for Governor of Michigan and the candidates for United States Senate. Titled “Debate Week in Michigan,” the Gubernatorial debate will take place on October 6 from 7 to 8 p.m. ET, and the Senate debate on October 8 from 7 to 8 p.m. ET. Each debate will take place at the studios of WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids.
September 15, 2026
Gluesenkamp Perez, Braun To Debate at KOIN 6 in October
The candidates in one of the country’s most-watched U.S. House races will have a debate in the KOIN 6 studios in October. Democratic incumbent Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Washington state Senator John Braun will meet for their first televised debate in the hotly contested race for Washington’s 3rd District. KOIN 6 Political Director Ken Boddie and KOIN 6 weekend anchor Lisa Balick will moderate the debate.
September 2, 2026
Josh Shapiro, Stacy Garrity Agree to Nexstar-Hosted Governor’s Debate in Harrisburg
Democrat Josh Shapiro and Republican Stacy Garrity have agreed to attend an exclusive prime-time debate hosted by Nexstar on October 7 at 8 p.m. in the race for governor. Dennis Owens will moderate the debate at the abc27 studio in Harrisburg.
September 2, 2026
Janelle Stelson, Scott Perry Agree to abc27 Hosted Debate in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District Race
Democrat Janelle Stelson and Republican Scott Perry have accepted invitations to an abc27 hosted debate on October 14 in the race for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District seat. Dennis Owens will moderate the debate in the abc27 studio at 8 p.m.
August 26, 2026
Richard Neal and Jeromie Whalen Debate on 22News Before Massachusetts Primary
22News hosted a televised primary debate between incumbent U.S. Representative Richard Neal and challenger Jeromie Whalen ahead of the Massachusetts state primary election. The candidates for the 1st Congressional District faced off in the 22News studio, which was being converted into a debate stage. Affordability was the primary topic during the broadcast as voting gets underway across local communities.
August 21, 2026
Newsmakers 8/21/2026: RI Governor Debate Analysis
Highlights and analysis from the 12 News Democratic primary debate for governor between incumbent Dan McKee and challenger Helena Foulkes.