Broadcasters from across Wisconsin will be airing a U.S. Senate debate Friday between Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin and Republican challenger Eric Hovde. The debate begins at 7 p.m. A list of the 75 stations airing the debate is available here.
The debate will also be shown live on national network C-SPAN and Wisconsin public affairs cable network WisconsinEye and streamed on numerous online different platforms.
The WBA Foundation has a more than 34-year history of hosting debates. This year’s debate includes the data team, started in the 2022 election cycle, which provides background research to the topics brought up during the debate while the debate airs. These resources can be found at:
“We’re proud of the work our journalists from across Wisconsin put into this important hour of television and radio for Wisconsin voters,” said WBA President and CEO Michelle Vetterkind. “Our members take seriously the task of making sure voters are informed ahead of Election Day.”
The team will also be posting the WBA social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
The debate will be moderated by Jill Geisler, longtime Wisconsin news professional, WBA Hall of Fame member, author, and Bill Plante Chair in Leadership and Media Integrity at Loyola University, Chicago. The panelists and data team members come from across Wisconsin.
From left to right:
Question Team:
- Aditi Debnath, Reporter, PBS Wisconsin
- Allyson Fergot, Reporter, WKBT News 8 Now, La Crosse
- Neil Johnson, Reporter/Producer, Big Radio, Janesville
- Shannon Sims, Anchor, TMJ4, Milwaukee
- Jeff Thelen, Anchor/Producer, WSAW-TV, Wausau
Data Team:
- Darrielle Fair, Political Reporter, WKOW-TV, Madison
- Jonathan Krause, Director of Multimedia, Woodward Community Media, Appleton
- Harm Venhuizen, Political Reporter/Multimedia Journalist, WGBA-TV, Green Bay (and WTMJ-TV)
- Elizabeth Wadas, Lead Investigative Reporter, WMTV-TV, Madison
- Jill Geisler
Use the hashtag #wbadebate to follow the debate on social media.
The debate will also be re-aired before Election Day on numerous Wisconsin stations. See the carriage list for details.
“The WBA Foundation is honored to provide these important debates to Wisconsin’s voters as part our 34-year history of using our debates to promote the civic and political process.” Vetterkind said.
The debate is sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association.
The WBA is a non-partisan statewide trade association representing radio and television broadcasters across the state.
Questions or inquiries about the debates should be directed to debate@wbafoundation.org.
Election Day is Nov. 5.