The four Republican candidates vying to be Texas lieutenant governor — a post considered to be the most powerful in the state — got their first televised chance to win over voters Monday evening ahead of the March 4 primary.
Dallas public television station KERA hosted the hourlong debate, dubbed The Texas Debates. Due to space limitations, the debate was not open to the public.
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is facing one of the toughest re-election bids of his career. His three challengers for the GOP nomination are Houston Sen. Dan Patrick, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples.
As the debate was GOP primary debate, Democrat candidate for Lt. Gov. State Sen. Leticia Van De Putte will not be taking part.
See GOP candidate profiles from The Texas Tribune here: David Dewhurst | Dan Patrick | Jerry Patterson | Todd Staples
The debate were moderated by KERA managing editor Shelley Kofler. Questions will be posed by the following journalists:
- Norma García, Telemundo 39/KXTX-TV
- Peggy Fikac, Austin Bureau Chief at San Antonio Express-News/Houston Chronicle
- Ross Ramsey, The Texas Tribune Executive Editor
Read more about the journalists on the panel and the debate partnership here.
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If you missed the live broadcast, the debate will rebroadcast on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 10 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 2 at 11 a.m. on KERA-TV. KERA 90.1 FM will rebroadcast the debate on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 11 p.m. and at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1.
The primary election will be held on March 4. The last day to register to vote in the primary is Feb. 3. Early voting in the primary begins Feb. 18 and ends Feb. 28.
The Texas Debates is produced by KERA in partnership with NBC 5/KXAS-TV, Telemundo 39/KXTX-TV, Texas Association of Broadcasters (TAB), The Texas Tribune, Houston-Chronicle/San Antonio Express-News, Houston Public Media, KUT 90.5 Austin, Texas State Networks and the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas (FOIFT).
