Debates planned for races

Published 3:33 pm Saturday, August 2, 2008

ST. PAUL — The congressional race between DFL incumbent Tim Walz and Republican challenger Brian Davis will be among 15 contests to be the focus of debates organized by Debate Minnesota this election season.

The board of directors for Debate Minnesota met Wednesday to discuss which races should have debates. Once the board adjourned, several moderators — a handful of news editors from across the state — gathered to discuss which issues should be addressed at the debates.

In 2006, Debate Minnesota hosted a debate between DFL’er Robin Brown and Republican Matt Benda in the race for the open House District 27A seat, which is still identified around the State Capitol for being Dan Dorman’s former seat. Dorman opted to not seek re-election in 2006.

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Debate Minnesota will hold debates for these races:

U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and DFL challenger Al Franken. There will be two debates, one in Moorhead and another in southern Minnesota at a site to be determined.

First Congressional District race between DFL incumbent Tim Walz and Republican challengers Brian Davis and Dick Day. The times and places for this and the other races have yet to be determined. The 1st District stretches across southern Minnesota, including Albert Lea, Austin, Rochester, Mankato, Winona and Worthington.

Third Congressional District race between Republican Erik Paulsen and DFL’er Ashwin Madia. Incumbent Jim Ramstad isn’t seeking re-election. The 3rd District includes Edina, Bloomington, Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Plymouth and Coon Rapids and most of western Hennepin County.

Sixth Congressional District race between Republican incumbent Michele Bachmann, Republican challenger Aubrey Immelman and DFL challenger El Tinklenberg. The 6th District covers St. Cloud and the northernmost suburbs of the Twin Cities, along with a few eastern suburbs. Other towns in the district are Woodbury, Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Foley and Buffalo.

In many races the parties haven’t winnowed their candidates to one each. That will take place in the Sept. 9 primary election.

Other debates will be for state races. The Debate Minnesota board tends to select races it feels will be tight, such as the Benda-Brown race two years ago. Below is the list of races to have Debate Minnesota debates and major cities of the districts:

Senate District 16, Princeton, Big Lake

House District 4A, Bemidji, Cass Lake

House District 40A, Burnsville

House District 57A, Cottage Grove, South St. Paul

House District 16A, Princeton, Isle

House District 28B, Kenyon, Zumbrota, St. Charles

House District 38B, Eagan

House District 41A, Edina

House District 20A, Ortonville, Benson, Lake Benton

House District 31B, Preston, Rushford, LaCrescent

House District 49B, Coon Rapids

In some of the races, third-party candidates might participate if they achieve Debate Minnesota’s criteria for major candidates.

About Tim Engstrom

Tim Engstrom is the editor of the Albert Lea Tribune. He resides in Albert Lea with his wife, two sons and dog.

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