ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico’s largest radio network, television station, and newspaper are urging the state’s gubernatorial candidates to agree to a televised debate before early voting begins.
In a joint letter sent Tuesday, leaders with Partners for Impact — a collaboration between the News Radio KKOB, KOAT-TV, and Albuquerque Journal — called on Democratic nominee Deb Haaland and Republican nominee Gregg Hull to restart discussions on a gubernatorial debate.
The organizations said they have been attempting to arrange a debate since the June primary and remain willing to work with both campaigns to find a date and format that works.
“We believe this half hour would provide New Mexico voters with keen insight on the election,” the letter states.
Under the proposal, the debate would be televised statewide on KOAT 7 ABC and CBS New Mexico, simulcast by the Albuquerque Journal and News Radio KKOB, and carried on KOAT’s partner station serving southern New Mexico and the El Paso market.
The media organizations argued the broadcast would give voters the largest possible audience reach while allowing them to hear both candidates discuss the issues side by side.
“Most important, New Mexico voters deserve the opportunity to hear the two candidates for governor discuss the issues side by side,” the letter states.
The request comes as debate scheduling has become a prominent issue in the governor’s race. Hull has publicly accepted several debate invitations during the campaign. Haaland has declined some invitations, including a recent invitation from KRQE News 13.
Partners for Impact leaders acknowledged that campaign schedules are becoming increasingly crowded but noted that early voting is expected to begin in about two weeks.
“We remain ready to work with both campaigns to find a date and format that works,” the letter states. “Let’s get it done for New Mexico voters.”
The letter was signed by:
- Bill Lang, Publisher, Albuquerque Journal
- James Bennett, Managing Editor, Albuquerque Journal
- Lori Waldon, President and General Manager, KOAT 7 ABC & CBS New Mexico
- Jess O’Neill, News Director, KOAT 7 ABC & CBS New Mexico
- Jeff Berry, Vice President and Market Manager, Cumulus Radio Station Group
- Aaron “Buck” Burnett, Program Director and Operations Manager, KKOB, KNML and KTBL
Copy of letter below:
Dear Secretary Haaland and Mayor Hull:
We are writing on behalf of Partners for Impact — the Albuquerque Journal, KOAT-TV and News Radio KKOB.
Since the June primary, we have been working to arrange a gubernatorial debate between the two of you.
We are writing now in the hope that we can restart those discussions and find a date for a debate at KOAT.
It’s only 30 minutes. We believe this half hour would provide New Mexico voters with keen insight on the election.
The debate would also reach the largest possible audience. The Journal is the state’s largest newspaper. KOAT is the state’s highest-rated television group and operates two network affiliates, ABC and CBS. KKOB is the state’s largest radio group.
The debate would be televised across New Mexico on KOAT and on its partner station in El Paso. The Journal and KKOB would simulcast the debate, providing voters with multiple ways to watch or listen.
Most important, New Mexico voters deserve the opportunity to hear the two candidates for governor discuss the issues side by side.
We recognize that the campaign calendar is well underway, but we hope we can put aside the scheduling challenges and make this happen.
Early voting starts in about two weeks.
We remain ready to work with both campaigns to find a date and format that works.
Let’s get it done for New Mexico voters.
Sincerely,
Partners for Impact
Bill Lang, Publisher , Albuquerque Journal
James Bennett, Managing Editor, Albuquerque Journal
Lori Waldon, President and General Manager KOAT 7 ABC and CBS New Mexico
Jess O’Neill, News Director, KOAT 7 ABC and CBS New Mexico
Jeff Berry, Vice President Market Manager, Cumulus Radio Station Group and Buck Burnett,
Aaron “Buck” Burnett, Program Director | Operations Manager KKOB | KNML | KTBL
