SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s Republican gubernatorial candidate will have his first — and only — chance to face Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom face-to-face on Sunday when the two meet in a debate that will be broadcast live at the radio during the competition with the NFL for the attention of voters.
Brian Dahle, a little-known Republican state senator, will debate Newsom on KQED News at 1 p.m. Sunday. KQED News will broadcast the debate live on radio, as well as stream videos on its website and social media channels. The debate will then be broadcast on public television KQED at 6 p.m.
Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos, co-hosts of KQED’s Political Breakdown, will host. There will be no live hearing, but KQED says they will be taking questions from voters ahead of time. The news agency said the debate would be “a directed conversation”, with no time limits or strict rules.
“We live in an age of echo chambers and siled political messaging, which means civic discourse and public debate are more valuable than ever,” said Ethan Toven-Lindsey, KQED’s vice president of news. “We are proud to be able to provide a space for these two candidates to share their different visions for all Californians.”
The debate will likely be the highlight of Dahle’s campaign. He’s raised less than $1 million, which isn’t enough to run statewide TV ads in the nation’s most populous state, home to some of the most expensive media markets. from the country.
Newsom also didn’t run any ads this year because he didn’t have to. Republicans threw everything they had at Newsom in last year’s recall election, only for 61% of voters to say the governor should keep his job. With all of his Republican rivals so soundly defeated, none chose to challenge him again this year except for Dahle.
With more than $23 million in his campaign account, Newsom spent his money on ads in other states. He is paid for a television ad in Florida and a newspaper ad in Texas. And he’s paid for pro-abortion-rights billboards in seven conservative states.
In recent public appearances, Newsom said he was trying to push the Democratic Party to be more aggressive in challenging Republicans — who he says are winning the national political narrative.
Newsom’s words and actions have only increased speculation that he is plotting a run for president, with some suggesting he could replace Joe Biden in 2024. But Newsom has repeatedly denied this, saying that he was supporting Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who he said would also do so. would like to see become president one day.
Dahle said he prepared himself by participating in a fake debate. He plans to criticize Newsom over California’s high cost of living, including record gasoline prices.
“You can’t afford to live in California and we need to make California more affordable,” Dahle said.
Newsom will likely tout his plan to call a special session of the state legislature to pass a new tax on oil company profits. He’s also likely to point to the state budget he signed into law, which includes cash payments of up to $1,050 to most taxpayers to help offset high fuel prices.
