GREEN BAY — Republican and Democratic candidates for Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District Tony Wied and Kristin Lyerly will meet Friday in the first cross-party debate the district’s 435,000 voters have seen in recent memory.
Both candidates seek to replace U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, who resigned from office in April. Voters will choose who will serve out the final weeks of Gallagher’s term and who will fill the seat for the next two years.
Here’s a preview of Friday’s debate.
Where will the debate be?
The Mauthe Center , an independent nonprofit that facilitates cross-faith and cross-political dialogue located on the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s campus, will open its 250-person capacity venue to host the debate.
Its director, Robert Pyne, and Mauthe Center staff coordinated between the Lyerly and Wied campaigns this past month to confirm their participation almost a month after the end of the Aug. 13 primary .
Who will moderate and ask questions?
WBAY anchor Cami Rapson , with decades of on-air experience, will moderate by keeping candidates to time limits and directing the flow of the debate.