Bipartisan debate for all of the governor candidates is now on

The debate for the Republican candidates for Michigan governor sponsored by the extremist Central Michigan University Campus Conservatives has been canceled, but a bipartisan debate for all of the candidates is now on.

The extremist debate was canceled because none of the Republican candidates, to their credit, wanted to attend, but as that news was coming out, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters (LCV) issued a press release saying that a debate will be held on May 12 at CMU the day after the official filing deadline for major party candidates.

The debate in Mt. Pleasant is sponsored by a partnership of the Detroit Free Press, Michigan Radio, ConservAmerica and the LCV Education Fund. “The two-hour forum will focus on three key issues — rebuilding the state economy, creating jobs and safeguarding Michigan’s natural resources.”

The moderated, non-partisan forum will be broadcast live from 7-9 p.m. on Michigan Radio and played on statewide public television and live-streamed over the Internet at the Free Press and the Michigan Radio websites. The moderator has not yet been named. The forum will be held at CMU’s Plachta Auditorium, and it will be free and open to the public on a first-come basis.

To ensure the debate is even more public friendly, the public can submit questions for the candidates. For a question to be considered, you must include your name, hometown and contact information, in case clarification is needed. The authors of questions used during the forum will be identified on the air. The questions can be sent to kerry@michiganlcv.org.

The press release said the forum will follow a similar, successful event, sponsored by the Michigan LCV Education Fund, the Free Press and Michigan Radio/TV that kicked off the 2002 governor’s race, the seat was open. That debate drew an audience of 800 people right here at Brighton High School’s Center for the Performing Arts.

“At a critical time in Michigan, candidates who would lead this state must afford the voting public every opportunity to know their views on issues of vital importance to our future,” said Executive Director Lisa Wozniak. “Michigan’s economy can’t afford a governor who doesn’t understand the simple truth behind our state’s Pure Michigan ads: protecting our natural resources creates a healthier economy.”