While state-level candidates hem and haw over debates, incumbent St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist have agreed to one televised debate before the race comes to a head Nov. 3.
Bay News 9 will host the debate Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. Anchor and reporter Holly Gregory will be the moderator. The debate will be aired live and streamed on the Spectrum News app, its website and YouTube page without a paywall.
Senior Executive Producer Melissa Borror told the Tampa Bay Times that neither the topics nor the questions will be shared with the candidates in advance.
She said the candidates agreed to shake hands before the debate. They will be standing at lecterns. Each candidate will get 30 seconds for an opening statement and one minute each for a closing statement. A coin flip will determine who goes first.
If a candidate gets called out by their opponent, then he will have 30 seconds to give a rebuttal.
Borror said Bay News 9 will provide the candidates with a pen and paper. They will have no electronics. Each candidate will be allowed to bring a personal cooling fan.
Welch and Crist emerged out of a crowded Aug. 18 primary as the top two vote-getters. Welch won 21% and Crist won 35%.
Crist challenged Welch to a televised debate first. Welch then asked for two debates, including one in Septemberbefore mail ballots were sent out but Crist declined it. Welch said Oct. 13 is his wedding anniversary.
“The folks just have not had any substantive conversation about his plans versus my plans,” Welch said. “By declining this first debate, he has denied the citizens the opportunity to hear what he would do. I think that the the voters should ask for more than that.”
Crist pointed to prior debates and forums held ahead of the primary. He said his campaign is focused on door-to-door canvassing and making phone calls.
“That direct contact is valuable time spent,” Crist said.
• • •
Tampa Bay Times Election Coverage