The Republican nominee says the OETA event will be his only general-election debate, while his Democratic opponent remains open to others.
OKLAHOMA CITY — It appears Oklahoma voters will get only one chance to watch the Republican and Democratic nominees for governor debate on television: Oct. 1 on OETA.
Republican Mike Mazzei’s campaign says the OETA event will be his only general-election debate, while Democratic nominee Cyndi Munson remains open to others.
Other details, including the airtime, moderator and format, have not been announced.
Mazzei announced his acceptance on social media Sept. 7, saying the debate will be held in Oklahoma City and reach viewers across all 77 counties. His campaign said in a news release issued the same day that it would be the only general-election debate in which he participates.
Mazzei said he expects to discuss taxes and education. He said he would continue traveling Oklahoma, meeting with voters and participating in campaign forums.
Munson open to additional debates
Munson campaign spokesperson Rebecca Corbett told OK Politics Today that the OETA debate is the only televised debate both candidates have agreed to, but Munson remains open to additional debates.
The Oct. 1 event would be the first one-on-one televised debate between the nominees during the campaign.
Munson and Mazzei previously appeared with Attorney General Gentner Drummond at an Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association gubernatorial forum in July, while Mazzei and Drummond were competing for the Republican nomination.
Mazzei, a former state senator, budget secretary and financial planner, defeated Drummond in the Aug. 25 Republican runoff. Munson, the state House Democratic leader, won her party’s nomination in June.
They and three independent candidates are seeking to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt in the Nov. 3 election.
