The three Democratic and nine Republican candidates in the state’s gubernatorial primary have agreed to participate in a live televised debate the first weekend in May sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Oregon, AARP Oregon and KATU TV (CH 2—Portland).

Determined by coin toss, the Democratic candidates will debate on Saturday, May 1, from 7 to 8 p.m., and the Republican candidates will debate on Sunday, May 2, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

KATU TV 2 in Portland will host the event and has arranged coverage with ABC affiliates across Oregon—in Medford, Eugene, Coos Bay and Roseburg. Both debates will also be live Web-streamed.

The debates’ moderators—veteran broadcasters Steve Dunn and Deborah Knapp—will ask the randomly-selected questions, jointly developed by the nonpartisan, nonprofit AARP Oregon and League with input from members throughout the state. There’s still time to submit your questions and ideas! Please just fill out this form with your question. You can also let us know which issues you care most about.

“We are excited to partner with the League of Women Voters and KATU to promote these open, unbiased and transparent debates to help Oregon voters of all ages hear where the gubernatorial candidates in both parties stand on pressing issues,” said Jerry Cohen, State Director of AARP Oregon.

The candidates in the May 18 primary are:

• Democrats: Bill Bradbury, John Kitzhaber and Roger Obrist
• Republicans: Allen Alley, Clark Colvin, William Ames Curtright, Chris Dudley, Bob Forthan, Darren Karr, John Lim, Bill Sizemore and Rex O. Watkins

Important Dates

• April 21-23: Voters’ Pamphlets mailed
• April 27: Voter registration deadline (check your voter status online or by calling 503-988-3720)
• April 30-May 4: Ballots mailed to voters
• May 18: Election Day

Other Resources

Oregon Secretary of State Voter Resources

Oregon Secretary of State ORESTAR (Oregon Elections System for Tracking and Reporting)—Online searchable database of campaign finance transactions

League of Women Voters of Oregon 2010 Primary Election Guide

Oregonian’s Online Voter Guide—A Guide to the May 18, 2010 Primary Election