Russ Feingold (left), Sen. Ron Johnson (right)
U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and challenger Russ Feingold have agreed to meet in a debate this fall.
The Republican Johnson and Democrat Feingold will both participate in a one-hour debate on October 14th, which will take place in the Green Bay and Appleton television market. The debate is being organized by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, which is still working to finalize details on the hosting location.
It’s the first debate between the two candidates that’s been announced this election cycle. Feingold is trying to win back the seat he lost to Johnson in the 2010 election.
In a statement, Johnson campaign spokesman Brian Reisinger said “We’re glad for opportunities like this to draw the contrast between Ron and Senator Feingold. The choice in this race could not be more clear – between an Oshkosh manufacturer who is taking an outsider approach to getting things done, and a career politician who after 34 years in politics doesn’t know the first thing about creating jobs or keeping local communities safe. We look forward to a robust and serious discussion.”
Feingold campaign spokesman Michael Tyler said in a statement that “Russ looks forward for the opportunity to share on the debate stage what he’s heard from listening to Wisconsinites in all 72 counties: that the middle class and working families of this state want an economy that works for everyone — not just corporate CEOs and multi-millionaires like Sen. Johnson. Sen. Johnson will try to defend his record in Washington of propping up a system that benefits powerful corporations and the billionaires who back his reelection bid.”