Debate organizers seeking questions from voters

PNT staff reports

KENW-TV and New Mexico First are sponsoring a debate between candidates in the local Congressional District, and are looking for voters to help choose the questions, according to a news release from Eastern New Mexico University.

Candidates for New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District seat, Democratic incumbent Ben Ray Lujan and Republican challenger Tom Mullins, are scheduled to hold a debate from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday in the KENW studio on the ENMU campus.

Forty to 60 voters are to discuss what questions to ask the candidates from 1-4 p.m. Saturday in the ENMU Communication Center. Some of those voters will ask the questions on television, according to the release.

“We need teachers, business people, nurses, parents, students, farmers, you name it,” said Heather Balas, an ENMU alumna and president and executive director of New Mexico First. “It is an opportunity for citizens of eastern New Mexico to have their voices heard on the issues important to them.”

For the debate, former ABC anchor Sam Donaldson is set to serve as moderator. According to the release, the debate will be taped to air at 7 p.m. Saturday on New Mexico’s Public Broadcasting television and radio stations.

The event is free and open to the public, but participants are required to register first at www.nmfirst.org.

Information: Balas at 505-241-4815.